With all the talks of skin cancer circulating around many people have become cautious of the sun. When in reality the sun provides so many health benefits necessary for our overall well being.
Below are some great Health Benefits of the Sun:
Sunlight Kills Bacteria
The UV power in the sun will kill many bacteria. Here’s a great article talking about this fact. I’ve even heard doctors go as far as recommending a bit of sunshine to help with cuts and scrapes as well as various skin conditions like psoriasis, acne, eczema and fungal infections of the skin.
The sun lower blood pressure Sitting out on the sun for a bit of time will help lower blood pressure.
Sunlight can brighten your mood Think of how you feel during winter and the lack of sun during that time. Studies have shown it actually raises levels of antidepressants in the brain.
Removing stains from clothes especially cloth diapers: Even for clothing you can sanitize things by using the sun’s powers. Remove stains on diapers and clothing by sunning them. This is something that is of wide spread use in the cloth diapering community and should be passed on to other facets as well.
Helps send breast cancer into remission. Because many believe Breast Cancer is a cancer that is presented when there is a Vitamin D deficiency it is only natural to look to the sun for help. There have even been studies suggesting it may even cut the risks of advanced breast cancer.
Pregnant? Get some sun! You could help impact your child’s bone strength. A study came out showing that mothers who got some sun the last trimester of pregnancy had children with stronger bones.
My personal favorite:
Weight loss! A study out of Northwestern University states that Basking in Early Morning sunlight can actually help with weight loss as well as maintaining a good weight.
Of course everything should be done in moderation, this article is in no way advocating hours in the sun but simply 10-15 minutes of Sun Therapy. Do it slowly especially if you’ve been indoors a lot. I am also not advocating not using sunblock but for 5-10 minutes go out free of any chemicals and just take the sun in and it’s benefits.
Let’s face it as a society we’ve become prone to staying indoors. Even when we work out we tend to go to the gym and not enjoy the outside beauty of the sun. I’m guilty of favoring the indoors but also realize that in order to have a better overall health I need to take 5-10 minutes of my day and grab that glorious Vitamin D.
So go outside and bask in the Sunlight!
Comments & Reviews
I’ve always loved the sun, and with 2 dogs in an apartment I get out in it everyday (even when it’s hiding behind rain or snow clouds!) I truly believe it is one of the factors that can help overcome depression symptoms, as well.
I have heard that most brands of sunscreen may have dangerous chemicals in them. I read somewhere, (sorry I cannot remember where, maybe Mother Earth News) that some scientists think that the chemicals in sunscreen may be giving people skin cancer. Scary. I only put sunscreen on my kids when the UV index is 7 or higher. I have found some natural sunscreens at the health food store that work well. I also have used coconut oil on my lips to protect from uv rays at times.
Having endured the winter we did in Michigan, I definitely realize how important the sun’s mood-boosting power is!
My mother died from Melanoma when I was a teenager and my dad and several brothers and sisters have had it removed at one point, so I’m always slathered in sun screen. I still love being out in the sun, but the risks are too high for me not to be protected.
you made me want to get more sun since I’m pregnant (and pale!) I didn’t know it would help my child’s bone strength, thanks!!!!
Thanks for the article. I live in AZ and worry too much sun. The media gets me all worried. Glad to read of the health benefits since I love being outside
I KNOW I ALWAYS FEEL BETTER WHEN I CAN BE OUT IN THE SUNLIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TRAPPED THIS WHOLE HORRIBLE WINTER BECAUSE OF ILLNESS & SNOW & CANT WAIT TO SIT OUTSIDE & READ. THANKS ILL TELL MY DTR ABOUT THE EXPECTING MOM IN THE SUN THING
some of these i never knew about especially weight loss
What a terrific article this is! I never knew the sun can take stains from fabric, nor did I know the benefits it has in healing breast cancer. Thanks so much for the info and I will be sure to pass it along.
I love the sunshine, it makes me happy!! Knowing that there are benefits, even better!
I promise to get out in the sun tomorrow (night right now).
I used to hate basking in the morning light. Maybe because I sweat very easily. And when I sweat, my eczema acts up. It’s rashes galore! But just recently, I read on different websites that eczema sufferers should get Vitamin D from sunlight to help with the wound healing. Since then, I always make it a point to go out and enjoy the benefits of the sunlight.
so many good benefits. that is why I love the sun. i always fall sick during winter time when there’s no sun. I’m a big sun lover. 🙂
I love this! Growing up in Florida, I didn’t always practice the best skin-safety when at the beach or by the pool. Many of us didn’t. Now, everyone has become very “anti-sun” and it stinks! Of course we should properly protect ourselves but there are so many reasons to get a little natural vitamin D and benefit in all of these ways!
I wholeheartedly enjoyed this article, pinned it and will be recommending it far and wide! I’ve known Seasonal Affective Disorder is a factor in my depression for several years and used a UV lamp in winter to help counteract it. This year my bulb burned out, and I haven’t been able to afford a new one. So I started an enjoyable daily ritual of stripping down to a modest sports bra and shorts, opening the curtain in my bedroom to let the sun stream in and reading for at least half an hour in bed every afternoon. It seems to have kept me level because I survived one of the nastiest winters on record. Now that it’s warming up, I’m going to sit outside for 10-15 minutes a day and make sure I expose the eczema on my ankle and the psoriasis on my wrist (both minor, thank goodness) and see if I can get them to shrink or even disappear. Thanks for the GREAT reminder, and here’s hoping for a sunny spring and not-too-sweltering summer.
Thank you for stopping by! Yes, it’s amazing how just a little sunlight will raise our spirits and health. This winter has been brutal for many and I hope this spring and summer start bringing some much needed sunshine. Best wishes and I hope the sun helps 😀
I need to improve my Vitamin D levels! I know that during the winter I hardly get much direct sun exposure, but now that it’s warmer, it’s time to head outside more often! I also didn’t know about the pregnancy and infant bone strength! What an interesting correlation!
We all need to get a bit of it. I know it’s hard but winter kind of sucks our Vitamin D out and mood. It’s amazing what we can get from nature isn’t it?
I enjoyed this article on the sun. It is true that many people are afraid of the effects of the sun. I do know that atleast 15 minutes a day is very good for everyone
Exactly just a little bit will go a long way. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Great info thanks, I am just glad the sun is out and the snow is hopefully gone until next winter 🙂
Right? It’s about time we got that sun back!
Thanks, this was very interesting. I am going to try the weight loss tip. 🙂
That’s awesome!
I had NO idea about the benefits of sun regarding breast cancer & pregnancy — great post!
Thanks! It’s amazing isn’t it? Sometimes Nature is the best medicine 🙂