The Sun can be one of the best sources of well-being but also an enemy to our health. It all comes to the balance of sun exposure to get the benefits of sitting in the sun. Getting a little sunshine can have an amazing effect on our bodies and minds.
Here are some of the great reasons to go outside and soak in the sun.
Better sleep
One of the greatest benefits of taking sunlight is that it stimulates your body to create a hormone called melatonin which is critical for good sleep. The levels of melatonin are what keep us staying up later in the summer. The more daylight exposure you get the better your body will create the hormone when it is time to go to bed.
Less Stress
One of the other important benefits of laying in the sun is that the same hormone –melatonin lowers our stress and reactivity. Additionally, being active outside in the sun also helps with keeping the stress levels low.
Bone Strength
One of the easiest ways to get your vitamin D is to spend time outdoors. When exposed to the sunlight our bodies produce the vitamin. You only need 15 minutes a day to keep your vitamin D levels high. This vitamin helps your body maintain calcium which makes our bones stronger also it is critical for our immune system. A healthy immune system can help reduce the risk of illness and infections.
Weight Loss
Spending time outdoors in the morning has been linked to weight loss. You need 20-30 minutes in the morning to keep yourself fit. Scientists believe that the sun during these hours helps shrink fat cells also outside meaning you are getting more exercise too.
Emotional Well-Being
Sunlight is proven to improve mood because it boosts your body’s serotonin. This is the chemical that is responsible for giving you more energy, positivity and focus. It is helping your body and mind deal with seasonal depression. Increased exposure to natural light is a great way to take care of your emotional well-being. However, be sure to protect your skin and eyes during the day.
Longer life
Several studies have shown that people who spent more time in the sun lived months or even years longer than those with less exposure. More research needs to be done to prove the link between spending time in the Sun and living longer and the work on it continues.
Now you know that a little sunshine goes a long way but too much can be harmful. So, how much is enough? According to science, your body can produce vitamin D in 10 to 30 minutes in the sun. Of course, if you are wearing sunscreen the vitamin your body produces will be less. Are you ready to reap the benefits of sitting in sun?
