We’ve all heard the saying “A little sunlight is good for you”, but what does that mean exactly? Sunlight is one of the most important things for human health, and its benefits extend far beyond just Vitamin D. Sunlight provides us with a variety of essential vitamins and minerals, and it also helps to regulate our circadian rhythm, improve our mood, and even reduce our risk of certain diseases. Below we'll list 5 ways sunlight exposure can help you live a longer healthier life and how to practice safe and effective sunlight exposure.
1.Healthy Bones and Teeth
The most obvious benefit of sunlight is its ability to provide us with Vitamin D. Vitamin D is an essential vitamin, and our bodies cannot make it on their own. We must get it from outside sources, and the sun is the best source for it. Vitamin D helps our bodies to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which are essential for healthy bones and teeth.
2.Avoid Diabetes
Believe it or not, vitamin D also plays key roles in energy metabolism and regulation of blood sugar levels. It does this by allowing more calcium to be absorbed which can lead to greater insulin sensitivity and increased sugar tolerance. This is great for people who suffer from hyperglycemia.
3.Help Get Better Sleep
In addition to providing us with Vitamin D, sunlight also helps to regulate our circadian rhythm, which is our body’s natural cycle of sleep and wakefulness. Exposure to sunlight helps to keep us alert during the day and promotes better quality sleep at
night. This regular exposure to sunlight helps to keep our internal clocks in sync and can help to prevent fatigue and sleep disorders.
4. Prevent Depression and Other Mental Illness'
Sunlight also has a positive effect on our mood. Sunlight exposure helps to increase the levels of serotonin in our brains, which is a hormone that helps us to feel calm and positive. Sunlight also helps to reduce cortisol levels amongst other hormones which help in balancing our mood and thus preventing mental illnesses like depression and anxiety.
5.Prevent Cancers
Finally, exposure to sunlight can also help to reduce our risk of certain chronic diseases. Studies have shown that regular exposure to sunlight can help to reduce the risk of certain types of cancer. One way it does this is my mediating levels of hormones which control cell growth thus decreasing chances of uncontrolled cell growth or cancer. Sunlight's effect on vitamin D production has also been seen to reduce inflammation and help fight infection, both of which can be sources of malignant cancers.
Conclusion
In short, sunlight is essential for human health. Not only does it provide us with essential vitamins and minerals, it also helps to regulate our circadian rhythm, improve our mood, and even reduce our risk of certain diseases. The most effective and safest way to practice sunlight exposure is to watch the sunrise and sunset. Being exposed to sunlight early in the morning and during sunset hours will ensure you get sufficient sunlight and lead to drastic benefits for your sleep and overall health. We hope these tips help you live a healthier, brighter life!