Today is the first day of one of my favorite seasons (fall is my other favorite)! I love the new life in nature. Flowers and trees start budding, temperatures are getting warmer, birds are chirping, not to mention the longer daylight hours.  I can actually see the sun when I get off work in the evenings!

Most people associate sunlight with skin cancer, but there are many benefits to getting a little bit of sun!  Some of these include:

• Improve brain function and mental health
• Lower blood pressure
• Improve inflammation
• Build strong bones
• Treating skin conditions
• Cancer prevention

Mental Health

Sunlight exposure increases the release of serotonin from the brain.  It is a natural mood stabilizer and helps with sleeping, eating, and digesting.  When serotonin levels are low, we can suffer from depression or seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Skin Conditions and Cancer

According to the World Health Organization (WHO),  skin conditions like acne, jaundice, eczema, and psoriasis can benefit from UV radiation exposure.  Although excess sunlight can lead to cancer, research shows that people who live in areas with little sunlight are at greater risk for certain types of cancer such as colon cancer, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and pancreatic cancer.  

Building Strong Bones

Exposure to UVB from the sun causes our skin to produce Vitamin D, a big part of bone health.  Low levels of Vitamin D can cause rickets in children, and bone wasting diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia.  The WHO recommends 5-15 minutes of direct sunlight two to three times per week is sufficient to get the levels of Vitamin D needed.  

All things in moderation……

The UV radiation from the sun can damage cell DNA, which leads to skin cancer.  Although there is no exact measurement as to how much sunlight to get to reap the benefits, it’s important to know your skin type and the direct rays of the sun affect this.  The sun is more powerful between 10am and 4pm so this is when the potential for sunburn is greatest.  Also, people with fairer skin will burn more quickly.

I plan to soak up the sun as much as possible this spring!  We’ve had such a grey and wet winter, I’m hoping things dry out and I can enjoy a favorite season.  😊

✌️❤️👩‍⚕️