Just for a moment, forget what you’ve heard about sunshine, skin cancer and harmful ultraviolet radiation. When natural sunlight hits the skin, it triggers the body’s production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is also known as the “sunshine vitamin”. Your body is meant to be in the sun and exposure to sunlight during the day is crucial to your well being. Here is a list of ways sunshine helps your health.
- Reduces cancer risk – it’s common knowledge that prolonged exposure to the sun without adequate protection can lead to skin cancer, but sunlight can also offset the risk of developing other types of cancer.
- Improves sleep – exposure to sunlight during the day helps keep your circadian rhythms on track and boosts level of serotonin, which in turn helps you fall asleep more easily.
- Boosts your mood – sunlight increases levels of serotonin which helps balance your mood and promotes feelings of happiness.
- Better bone health – Vitamin D helps the body better absorb calcium, which means stronger and healthier bones.
- Combats SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder is depressive condition, which is believed to be directly linked to a lack of sunlight.
- Clears up skin conditions – sunlight can help clear skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema and acne when sun exposure is timed and monitored.
- Boost the immune system – research suggests Vitamin D plays a vital role in immune health.
- Promotes weight loss – in addition to putting you in a good mood, the boost in serotonin levels that comes with being out in the sun also helps regulate your appetite.
- Prevents Vitamin D deficiency – spending a few minutes in the sun just might be the easiest way to prevent Vitamin D deficiency.
- Helps relieve body aches – according to research, those with soreness can benefit from the anti-inflammatory effects of Vitamin D.
- Promotes eye health – a few minutes in the sun every now and then could help prevent against age related macular degeneration and eye disease that causes vision loss.
Go out and soak up those rays! (Safely, of course)