We all know that excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer, skin wrinkles, and skin aging. However, sunlight is very good for our overall health.
Understanding the power of sunlight is very important. The intensity of sunlight is measured in “lux” or “luxes”, for example, on a sunny day, outdoor light can reach three thousand lux. However, a brightly lit indoor environment will provide only 400 lux. That’s less than 15 percent of the brightness of daylight.
The human body depends on a natural bodily hormone called melatonin to improve sleep. Throughout our adult lives, melatonin declines, but peaks during childhood. Have you ever wondered why children sleep much longer and better than adults?
The body carefully regulates the production of melatonin. The light-dark cycle largely controls this process. During the night in a dark environment, melatonin production is at its peak. This process is regulated by the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain. The pineal gland serves as a kind of “clock” that regulates this process at the right time.
The body does not accumulate melatonin. In order to sleep well at night, we need a moderate supply. It is known that daily exposure to natural sunlight is necessary to increase melatonin production. Manufactured supplements and artificial lights are a weak substitute and not worth the effort. The best way to get the melatonin your body needs is to get daily sun exposure.
However, there are other benefits to getting adequate sunlight. Sunlight is a powerful germ killer. That’s why in the old days people would leave their blankets, quilts, and other items out in the sun to be sterilized. Sunlight also gives the skin a healthy glow and makes it soft and malleable.
A sense of well-being is also attributed to sunlight along with the elevation of mood in most people. Although sun exposure is very beneficial, you must remember to use moderation when exposing yourself to direct sunlight. Acute and chronic depression can also be treated with sunlight along with exercise. Have you ever wondered why we feel so sad on a rainy day? During the winter months, try to get as much sun as possible.
Vitamin D is another great benefit of the sun’s rays. When the sun shines on the skin, the body can make vitamin D. The body needs vitamin D to pick up calcium from the intestines and use it to build strong, healthy bones. Osteoporosis and childhood and adult rickets can be prevented with adequate sun exposure.
Other benefits of sunlight also include:
Boosts the immune system
Relieves pain from inflamed arthritic joints.
Reduce blood cholesterol levels
Relieve certain symptoms of PMS
did you know
– PMS, fertility, sleep and your energy can improve with an extra hour of sunlight a day.
– Mental health can be positively affected by seasonal variations in light levels. A great indication of this is that a person suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is treated with light therapy.
– Colon, breast and prostate cancer are less likely to affect people who receive more sunlight.
Although sunlight has many benefits, there are also risk factors. Sunlight can cause skin cancer, especially in fair-skinned people. Everyone should be careful and take the necessary precautions before exposing their skin to sunlight for a long period of time. Healthy living tissue burns when exposed to too much sun. Skin cancer could become a reality for people who suffer repeated burns, which can also cause irreversible damage. Premature aging, skin wrinkles, sebaceous glands and skin elasticity can be damaged due to repeated sunburn and deep tanning of the skin. A high-fat diet along with excessive sun exposure is also associated with an increased risk factor for skin cancer.
Here are some guidelines for safe and healthy exposure to sunlight:
– Just like wearing sunglasses on your skin, a moderate tan can be protective. However, you need to know your own tolerance for sunlight. Five minutes of sun exposure a day should be a starting point for fair-skinned people and redheads. Ten to fifteen minutes a day might be a starting point for people with darker skin. Thirty minutes of sunlight a day should be the ultimate goal for most people.
– Sunburns increase the risk of both malignant melanoma (the deadliest form of cancer) and squamous cell carcinoma, which kills 9,000 Americans each year. Therefore, it is not wise to burn. If necessary, wear protective clothing, goggles, and sunscreen.
– Prepare your skin with adequate hydration before traveling or vacationing in hot places.
– All the vitamin D you need will be provided by five minutes of sun a day on your face and hands.
– Lift your spirits and improve your health by opening the windows and letting in the sunlight each morning.
– There is no substitute for the real thing. Each day should be spent soaking up some sunlight.