Our bodies and skin are built to make good use of the sun, and benefit well from a couple hours of sunlight a week. Sunlight can help to keep our sleeping patterns on track, keeps seasonal depression away and helps to produce the vitamins our body and mind needs.
Sunlight also helps our skin to produce the wholly grail, vitamin D. This vitamin is needed for effective bone function and health but also causes immune cells to travel to the outer layers of the skin. This offers more protection and help in terms of skin damage. There is however, plenty of controversy around the topic of sun and health, with many researches suggesting getting too much sun exposure results in ageing, skin damage and a strong connection to cancer.
The Benefits Of Sun Exposure
Vitamin D
Although people can get vitamin D from their diet and daily supplements, sunlight is a large contributor to this essential nutrient. Vitamin D is a necessity when it comes to biological processes and vitamin D deficiency is a huge contribute to health condition across the globe. Vitamin D plays an important role in :
- Fighting disease and injury
- Regulates mood
- Bone health
- Increases calcium levels
- Supports the immune system
Improved sleep
When it comes to the sun and improved sleep, this is all down to the function of circadian rhythms. This system essentially controls the body’s internal clock, letting you know when it’s time to wake up and rest. Our circadian rhythms are based on the sun.
There is also the involvement of serotonin. Serotonin is involved in the production of another hormone named melatonin. When these levels are balanced, this results in a more successful nights sleep and regulated routine.
Quality of skin
With the many cases of how the sun can damage skin, sunlight is actually hugely beneficial, especially for those with certain skin conditions. For instance, UV light can help the healing process when it comes to rashes caused by psoriasis and eczema.
But even for those who don’t have skin conditions, taking in a few UV rays can offer a healthy glow, so long as you’re wearing SPF and sun protectant.
Improved sense of wellbeing
Soaking up moderate sun rays can brighten anyone’s day. This is because exposure to sunlight triggers a boost in serotonin, one of the brain’s feel-good chemicals. Low serotonin levels are found to play a big role in depression, especially the kind that occurs during winter months.Research also shows that people who spend more time outside have higher levels of “happy” neurotransmitter.
Sunlight can also help with these day to day functions and feelings.
- Improved mood
- Boosts the immune system
- Relieves pain
- Heals wounds
- Relaxes the body and mind
The effects of too much sun exposure
When your body defends itself against the sun’s UV rays, your skin tends to tan or darken. Exposing yourself to too much sun allows UV rays to affect your inner skin layers, leading to that dreaded sunburn. This can cause skin cells to die, damage, or even develop cancer cells. This is why protection against the sun is crucial, even if you’re only out in it for a few hours. When the skin is exposure to too much sun, this can lead to issues such as :
- Development of clumps or moles (sometimes cancerous)
- Early ageing
- Eye injury
- Burns and rashes
- Skin cancer
- Heat stroke
All in all, the sun brings many advantages and disadvantages when it comes to general health, and like most things in life, is good in moderation. Most people also don’t realise that they’re exposed to UV rays almost every day, even if the sky is looking a bit grey. The most important thing to consider when going out in the sun is the protection you’re wearing. This can include suncream, hats, sunglasses, lightweight clothes and a daily SPF moisturiser.
Optml – The Daily Balance Supplement
Here at Optml, we can’t promise to make the sun shine all year round, but we can help to ensure your system is well supported, especially during the winter months when you may be deficient in a number of key nutrients and vitamins.
Optml is a two step supplement consisting of Rise to be taken in the mornings, and Rest which is to be taken at night. In combination, we’ve designed our supplement to support your mood and energy levels in the day, while ensuring you get a sound night’s sleep so that you feel rested upon waking.
Try Optml today and experience the benefits for yourself. Whether you’re reading this post in the height of summer or the depths of winter, the one aspect that remains consistent is that we all need a variety of nutrients every day to feel happy and healthy. Optml is the easiest step you can take today to help ensure this will be the case.