The suns help the production of
vitamin D in your body, which is beneficial to your health—just remember to
protect your skin.
It's summer, which means spending
time outside for many people. Every day, getting some sun on your arms and face
can be beneficial to your body and mind. Skin cancer is, without a doubt, a
serious concern that must be addressed. While it's critical to protect your
skin from the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays, soaking up a few daily rays can be
beneficial to your health if you take precautions.
What are the benefits of spending time in the
sun?
The sun can provide you with
numerous benefits. The visible light of the sun (the light we can see versus
the more harmful UV light we can't) and the vitamin D your body produces when
your skin is exposed to the sun provide those significant health benefits. Here
are some of the health benefits of sunlight.
1. Promote better sleep
"By trying to regulate the
levels of serotonin and melatonin, sunlight promotes better sleep and sets
people's circadian rhythms," says Alexis Parcells, MD, owner of Parcells
Plastic Surgery and founder of SUNNIE Wrinkle Reducing Studio. Melatonin is a
hormone that is produced in the body in the evenings to help the body prepare
for sleep. When you wake up to bright light, your body stops producing
melatonin, preparing you for the day ahead. The National Institutes of Health
claims that getting an hour of light in the morning can help you sleep better
at night.
2. Make you feel better
According to a 2020 study, low
vitamin D levels are linked to a higher risk of depression. Getting some
natural sunlight can help with depression symptoms and improve your overall
mental health and well-being by increasing vitamin D production.
3. Boost your energy
"Sunshine sends signals to
our brain that tells us to be alert and awake," goes on to say, Beth
Goldstein, MD, a dermatologist at Central Dermatology Center and cofounder of
Get Mr. "We have more energy during the sunny times of the year because
our brains are more activated." To put it another way, getting outside can
make you feel more alive and energetic.
4. Relieve mental-health-related symptoms
Bright light therapy (from a
lightbox or the sun) has been shown in studies to help with bipolar depression
and ADHD symptoms (ADHD). People suffering from eating disorders may benefit
from light therapy. According to some studies, people with acute schizophrenia
symptoms may have lower vitamin D levels than those who do not.
5. Reduce your blood pressure
According to Dr. Parcells,
"exposure to sunlight causes the skin to release stores of nitrogen
oxides, which causes arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure." UV rays,
not visible light, are responsible for this exposure. Lowering your blood
pressure is beneficial to your cardiovascular health.
6. Lower metabolic syndrome risk
The sun's light, according to a
2020 study in mice, can help reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which
includes high blood pressure, excess body fat, and high blood sugar. This could
be due to the fact that a specific wavelength of sunlight can penetrate deep
enough into your body to have an effect on certain types of adipose (fat)
tissue, potentially protecting you from metabolic syndrome.
7. Get rid of the inflammation
According to Dr. Goldstein,
sunlight causes the immune system to be suppressed. While spending a lot of
time in the sun to get UV radiation isn't recommended, it can help with inflammatory
skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, and acne. In addition, sunlight has
been linked to the improvement of autoimmune diseases like arthritis and
inflammatory bowel disease.
8. Cancer prevention
Vitamin D deficiency has been
linked to certain cancers. Dr. Goldstein cautions that this association does
not necessarily imply that increasing your vitamin D intake will lower your
risk, but it is one that healthcare professionals are paying close attention
to.
9. Healthier Bones
"Vitamin D aids in the
absorption of calcium and phosphate from our diets," explains Dr.
Parcells. "These minerals are required for the maintenance of healthy
bones, teeth, and muscles." Vitamin D deficiency can harm bone health.
Without this nutrient, your bones can become soft and weak. Long-term
deficiency may lead to osteoporosis.
10. Increase life expectancy
Some people believe that getting
enough sunlight and thus adequate levels of vitamin D can help you live longer.
A 20-year study of 30,000 Swedish women found that those who spent more time in
the sun lived up to two years longer than those who did not.
What happens if you don't get enough exposure to
the sun?
Of sure, not getting enough
sunlight can harm your body and mind. The seasonal affective disorder is a type of
depression brought on by a lack of sunlight, such as during the winter months.
Seasonal depression is a type of depression in which your mood is affected by
the changing seasons. It can begin in late autumn or early winter and leave you
feeling down, or "winter blues." The severity of the symptoms can
vary. During the dark winter months, getting enough vitamin D and using a
lightbox can help.
Both children and adults can
suffer from vitamin D deficiency. Low levels of vitamin D in adults can make
you feel tired, cause bone pain, muscle weakness, and change your mood. Low
levels of this vitamin in children can lead to the disease rickets. "This
causes poor growth patterns, muscle weakness, bone pain, and joint
deformities," says Dr. Parcells. It can cause the ends of long bones in
the legs to enlarge and the ribcage to become deformed if left untreated.
Post a Comment