Do you feel more energized when the sun is shining? Chances are high that this feeling is caused by the extra hours of natural light you are able to enjoy. The sun has several beneficial effects on your body. These effects are physical, as well as mental. For your convenience, we have made a list of the top 5 benefits of the sun for your health.
Over the last couple of years, the sun has been in the news in more of a negative way. Moves are being made to actually block the sun as it is said to be very harmful and heats the planet too much. But let’s be real; the sun is absolutely necessary for all life on our planet. Without the sun, all life on earth would cease to exist quickly and thus it isn’t all bad whatever some people want you to believe. In fact, it can have a lot of benefits for your health. Let’s move on to the benefits!
Better Moods and Lower Risk of Depression
Around 15% of older people (age 50, and up) experience depression and the number is steadily rising. In this day and age, virtually every age group is suffering from depression and burnout due to the pandemic. Science has shown that many people who suffer from depression, have much lower Vitamin D levels. Sunlight happens to be responsible for around 2/3 of the vitamin D levels that are being produced in your body. You will create a 100 times more vitamin D when exposed to 10 minutes of sunlight, compared to a whole day inside.
Furthermore, sunlight has a positive effect on serotonin levels in your body, which makes people happier and makes them feel better. Sunlight also affects the human pituitary gland, which boosts the sex hormone testosterone thus makes for better love making during the summer.
More sunlight = more vitamin D and more serotonin = less depression and better moods.
Lower Blood Pressure
Over the last couple of years, more and more studies are starting to recognize that the sun can reduce your blood pressure. Scientists think the lower blood pressure is caused not by the relaxing effect of the sun, but by its UV-A ultraviolet rays.
Research has shown a significant reduction in blood pressure after just three sessions of sunlight per week. Imagine what a daily dose of sunlight will do for you!
Good For Your Skin, Hair and Nails
Many people worldwide suffer from Psoriasis, one of the most commonly known skin diseases. Sunlight is known to reduce the symptoms of this disease. This is why many people who suffer from Psoriasis move to more sunny regions, as ultraviolet sunrays will offer relieve of the complaints.
Another one of the benefits of the sun for your health is the fact that vitamin D production stimulates hair growth and nail growth. So being outside more often also has a positive effect on your hair and nails.
Lower Risk of Cancer
Most people are aware of science that says you might get an increased chance of skin cancer when you are exposed to the sun for a long period of time. However, what most people do not know is sunlight can actually reduce the chance of colon cancer. Research has shown a reduced risk of colon cancer after daily exposure to sunlight.
Furthermore there are strong signs that sunlight also reduces the risk of non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, prostate cancer and breast cancer, as well as multiple sclerosis.
The most probable cause is the increased level of serum vitamin D, which reduces risk of cancer. Also the positive effect of sunlight on your day and night rhythm and thus the amount of sleep and rest you get each day, affects your general health and reduces the risk of disease.
Lower Risk of Osteoporosis
By now it should be clear that the increased vitamin D production of the human body is one of the biggest benefits of the sun for your health. People with high levels of vitamin D have a positive effect on the chance of suffering from osteoporosis. Not only does vitamin D strengthen your bones and makes them healthier, it also affects your muscle strength and general vitality.
Health Risks of The Sun
So is it all sunshine and rainbows? Well, not completely. Sunlight is also the number one source of skin cancer in the world. Due to the UV rays, sunlight breaks and mutates chemical connections in the skin, which can cause melanoma. This can occur when people stay in the sun for too long.
Do You Enjoy Enough Sunlight?
Experts say that during summer, you should enjoy around 15-30 minutes of sun per day for the best health benefits. During this time your skin should be unprotected, so no sunblock. Depending on where you live and how quickly your skin burns, adjust to your personal needs.
The benefits of the sun for your health are pretty amazing. We think it is important for people to stop being afraid of the sun. It can help you enormously, if you act with respect and think about the effects. The sun is here to stay and it can help you become happy and healthy. So let’s make the best of it!
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