When most people think of the benefits of sunlight, they think of getting a nice tan. But what many people don’t know is that sunlight provides a long list of health benefits that go beyond just looking good.
In this post, we’ll discuss some of how sunlight can improve your health.
- Helps Vitamin D Production
Vitamin D is a nutrient that is essential for good health. It is important for bone health, immune function, and more. Vitamin D can be obtained from food or supplements, but sunlight is the best way to get it.
We all know that vitamin D is essential for keeping our bones healthy. Still, many people don’t realize that this “vitamin” isn’t just a vitamin – it’s actually a hormone! Many hormones are generated within the body, usually responding to external stimuli, and vitamin D is one of them.
One of the key ways that sunlight affects our health is by triggering vitamin D production in our bodies. When sunlight hits our skin, it starts a process that leads to this very important hormone synthesis. The levels of this hormone can have a huge impact on everything from bone health to proper immune function.
While getting enough vitamin D from the sun is an important part of staying healthy, there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to getting your daily dose of UV rays. For one thing, you should avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The sun’s rays are most powerful during these hours, so it’s best to avoid going out if at all possible. Secondly, always be sure to use sunscreen whenever you go outside – even just for a short period!
- Maintains The Circadian Rhythm
Sunlight exposure is important for maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm. The body’s circadian rhythm is an internal clock that regulates various physiological processes throughout the day. The master clock controlling the circadian rhythm is located in the brain’s suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), consisting of around 20,000 nerve cells.
The SCN is very sensitive to light and uses this information to keep the body’s various processes on track. For example, melatonin production increases at night when it’s dark, telling the body it’s time to sleep. Similarly, exposure to sunlight during the day helps to regulate the body’s natural wakefulness.
- Regulate Cortisol And Melatonin
As mentioned earlier, the sun helps regulate our circadian rhythm and impacts the release of various hormones in the body. Your body is designed to function best when it receives regular exposure to sunlight. Sunlight helps regulate the production of melatonin and cortisol, two critical hormones that play a role in your sleep patterns and stress levels.
When your body lacks exposure to sunlight, it can produce too much melatonin, leading to feelings of fatigue and depression. Excess cortisol can also cause anxiety and irritability. By getting regular sun exposure, you can help keep your hormone levels balanced and improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
- Increases Serotonin Levels
Sunshine increases your serotonin levels, the feel-good hormone, which can lift your mood and improve your sense of wellbeing. On the other hand, low serotonin levels are linked to depression. That’s also why some people suffer from seasonal affective disorder in the winter when there are fewer hours of sunlight.
Moreover, serotonin plays an important role in regulating metabolism and controlling appetites, and glucose control.
- Reduces Blood Pressure
Another sunlight is its ability to reduce blood pressure and improve cardiovascular health. Research has shown that exposure to sunlight increases nitric oxide levels in the body, which helps relax and dilate blood vessels. This helps lower blood pressure, reducing your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular conditions.
- Beneficial For Certain Skin Condition
Most of us know that too much sun can be a bad thing. We worry about getting sunburned, developing skin cancer, and accelerated aging. But what many people don’t realize is that sunlight can also positively affect our skin.
A growing body of evidence suggests that sunlight can actually be beneficial for certain skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Additionally, there appears to be a link between sunlight exposure and improved health for those suffering from conditions like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), lupus, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and thyroiditis.
So how does this work? It turns out that the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays help to reduce inflammation and promote healing. When used correctly, sunlight can help to improve your overall health and wellbeing. Of course, it’s important to consult with your doctor before making any changes to your treatment plan.
Final Note
Sunlight is essential for life. It’s one of the main sources of vitamin D, which is important for strong bones. But sunlight also has a profound effect on our circadian rhythm, cortisol levels, serotonin levels, and blood pressure – just to name a few! So get out there and enjoy the sun responsibly. And when you do, don’t forget to slap on that sunscreen!
We hope this post has given you a better understanding of how sunlight affects your health. If you have any questions about how your general health or if you’re concerned about your skin condition, contact us today. Our team would be happy to help!
