Without sunlight, there would be no life here on Earth. Humans are not the only beings that receive blessings from the sun; plants & animals need the warmth and energy it provides too. Many of us don’t realize the many health benefits of the sun and really take it for granted. Below are some of the key ways the sun promotes our overall health.
1. Vitamin D
The sun is a direct, natural source of this essential nutrient. About half of American’s today have a Vitamin D deficiency. This is unfortunate because Vitamin D is responsible for many things including maintaining healthy bones, supporting brain health, boosting your immune system and more. Vitamin D is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and this is why it is so important to keep optimal levels and prevent illness.
Although the sun is a good source of Vitamin D, how much our body produces from it depends on many different factors. Where you live geographically can play a role in how much sun exposure you are getting. As a Minnesotan, I take a Vitamin D supplement daily to make sure I am producing enough of the nutrient year round, especially in the darker winter months.
2. Improves Sleep & Energy
Exposure to sunlight, especially in the morning increases our body’s production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for boosting our mood. At night, serotonin is then converted to melatonin to help us sleep better.
This process is part of what regulates the body’s Circadian Rhythm. This is your natural sleep/wake cycle. You should feel awake in the morning and throughout the day and then feel tired at bedtime. The exposure to the light and warmth from the sun in the morning helps to regulate this process, thus improving our quality of sleep and energy.
3. Reduces Stress
Sleep can directly affect stress levels, and vice versa. The better sleep we get, the less stressed we will feel throughout the day. And besides, who doesn’t want to relax in the sun?
In addition, scientists have somewhat linked the amount of sunlight exposure to the likelihood of various mental health disorders including anxiety, depression, stress and panic disorders.
4. Boosts Mood
I mentioned earlier that the sun helps our body produce serotonin, which makes us feel “good” inside – it’s a mood booster! The presence of serotonin is good for our mental health, decreasing stress and anxiety. Those who are in parts of the world that have less time with the sun in the sky are more prone to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Many find light therapy helpful. Here is a Light Therapy Lamp on Amazon that omits artificial light that mimics outdoor light.
5. Extends Life Expectancy
Vitamin D helps to maintain and improve your bone health. This is especially important because we as humans naturally lose bone mass with age. We can slow down this loss by exercising, eating healthy and making sure we have sufficient levels of Vitamin D in our body. The longer we’re outside… and the more active we are… the healthier we are… and the longer we will live!
As you can see, there are many benefits to the sun. However, the sun can be dangerous too. Make sure you are staying hydrated with water and taking precautions to avoid serious sunburns.
Heidi says
The sun does wonders for my mood!! Great post! Maybe someday would you be so kind to write about vitamin D and how much to take. I feel there’s lots of misinformation on this topic!