Benefits of Sunlight

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The weather is finally on the upswing after a long, cold, snowy winter. Just about every day in January and February was below freezing. The amount of daylight hours was low. Spending time outside wasn't very enticing. Now that it's finally spring with longer hours of daylight and warmer temperatures, it's a good time to start getting on board with going outside and getting more sun. Moderate sun exposure is a great natural, free tool to use in healing yourself. The benefits of sunlight exposure include:
  • Is a major source of Vitamin D which is a key vitamin in preventing illnesses
  • Improves mood and relieves depression by increasing serotonin levels
  • Helps regulate circadian rhythm which improves sleep
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Improves the immune system
  • Helps reduce stress and anxiety
In the 1600's, sunlight was used to prevent rickets, a condition of weak bones in children. Sunlight has also been used to treat tuberculosis, a bacterial infection affecting the lungs. I try to get at least 10 - 15 minutes of sun per day, midday between 10am and 2 pm is best. Not a lot, but enough to get benefits. You should avoid getting too much sun. Too much can lead to bad sunburns, premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. When I was younger I sat in the sun for about an hour reading. Afterwards, my legs were sunburned really bad. It was really painful, hurt to walk and they swelled up. I ended up going to the ER. They just recommended putting aloe vera gel on them and keeping them elevated. They healed, but it wasn't a fun experience, make sure you are mindful of time spent in the sun. To avoid overexposure, you can do things like wear a hat, sit in the shade or under an umbrella. There is also protective clothing now. When using a sunscreen, check the ingredients. The Environmental Working Group has this list of safer sunscreens. Challenge: Try going outside for about 10 - 15 minutes at least 5 days per week, morning/midday is best, but anytime is better than nothing. Even if it's cloudy, you'll still get some benefits. I usually use my bird app, Merlin, and/or go for a short walk late morning. It definitely gives a burst of energy. Resources: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2290997/ https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-much-sunshine-you-need-daily https://www.calm.com/blog/benefits-of-sunlight https://drhyman.com/blogs/content/7-strategies-for-optimal-sun-safety #ads More Healing with Sunlight Resources

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