Too much of anything is detrimental to our health.

Too much of a particular food, too much exercise (yes, exercise can be detrimental if done out of balance with rest or overexerted too fast), too much sitting/rest and even too much stimulation can all cause negative health issues with our minds and our bodies.

This “excess” rule applies to the sun’s ray’s as well.

It is common knowledge that too much time spent, or the wrong time of day spent with our skin directly exposed to warm/hot rays can be harmful to our health. However, staying out of the sun altogether is proving to be more detrimental.

Vitamin D –

And nowhere is this more apparent than the increase in disease associated with the lack of vitamin D.

Often called the “sunshine vitamin” vitamin D is not a single chemical but a group of them produced by our bodies when our skin is directly exposed to sunlight. This special group of chemicals is best known for its role in keeping our bones strong and healthy via calcium absorption. However meta-analysis conducted in 2013 revealed interesting data to scientists that clearly linked vitamin D with depression.

Sunlight supplies our bodies with important nutrients such as vitamin D, empowered to raise our disposition, our attitudes, and our mood. Disabling depression on the other hand, aided by lack of sunlight/vitamin D, results in a destructive domino effect on all bodily systems.

It’s clear that absorbing the sun’s rays in moderation at appropriate times of day without anything between the skin and sunlight is mandatory and provides essential health benefits. Medical scientists as far back as Hippocrates put two and two together and knew this.

Considered “one of the most outstanding figures in history of medicine,” Hippocrates believed that the changing of seasons played an important role in our personal health. His belief was that one’s health was somewhat dependent on the amount of sunlight received as seasonal shifts occur.

S.A.D. –

Now S.A.D. or Seasonal Affective Disorder has been identified and coined by Dr. Normal Rosenthal of Georgetown University. Case studies revealed that those who spent more time indoors because seasonal weather prohibits outdoor play experienced depressive feelings of sadness, helplessness and hopelessness, lethargy, and winter blues.

Why? Lack of exposure to natural sunlight.

Additionally, since our bodies operate on normal light and dark cycles, messing with them does not end well. When these cycles are flipped and disturbed, say for example by those working night shifts, our metabolic system suffers.

Most people have attempted a diet or two during their lifetimes making them fully aware of their metabolism as a caloric, engine burning machine. However, not as many are aware that metabolism also plays important roles in building strong immunity and releasing vital chemical messengers into the body.

These chemicals, once released contribute to body weight (studies back this up and reveal that people working consistent night shifts tend to be heavier than those that do not), energy levels and moods etc.

These are particularly rough issues for people with night shift jobs that become dependent on artificial light rather than natural sunlight.

Life began evolving in our oceans over 1 billion years ago and it was sunlight that was tapped as the energy/ battery source to generate carbohydrates. The sun shines without prejudice on all animate and inanimate things for a very valid reason. Without it, there is no life.

The truth is, if we want our bodies in tip-top shape, we must supply them a diet of necessary nutrients including vitamins and minerals used for growth and regeneration (along with proper exercise of course). If we want our minds in tip-top shape, the same rule applies, we must exercise it and supply the correct nutrients. Getting the proper amount of sunshine helps solve both issues.

Benefits of sunshine –

Here is a short list of the amazing benefits that sunshine provides us –

Gets us outside in the fresh air and that means we are not sitting on the couch vegetating!

Production of vitamin D (that special group of chemicals produced from the marriage of skin and sunlight).

Lifted mood and disposition (its hard to be unhappy when basking in sunshine and remember that important link between vitamin D and depression).

Strong immunity, disease prevention and the reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

Increased brain function with less risk of Alzheimer’s. Fights off S.A.D.

Bone strength/health (brittle bones sideline so many!)

Heightened creativity and productivity. Healthy brains enjoy life more!

Kills bacteria, provides eye health benefits and even lowers blood pressure.

Beautiful skin (even previously damaged skin caused by over exposure to the sun can be repaired when vitamin D stimulates the release of immune cells that travel to the outer layers of our skin)

All these and more can be ours if we treat the sun as a partner in regenerating our bodies, lifting our spirits, and a tool for the enjoyment of life rather than an enemy to be avoided.

The truth is the sun is not dangerous when enjoyed with love, respect, and common sense. In fact, enjoying it wisely, gives our mental and physical health a serious boost.  Fresh air and sunshine, a surefire way to a happier, healthier you!

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