The Science Behind Sunshine and How it Affects Overall Wellbeing
You’ve probably heard that we are encouraged to stay away from the sun as it harms our skin. While this might partly be true, it’s equally important to note that the sun carries plenty of mood-lifting benefits. Exposure to the sun prompts your brain to release the hormone serotonin in increased volumes. Serotonin is a chemical that is associated with helping you feel calm and more focused and is also known for its ability to boost your mood.
Exposure to the sun prompts your body to create Vitamin D, which is responsible for building strong bones and teeth. You can reap Vitamin D’s benefits through regular sun exposure for 10-30 minutes a day.
Suppose you don’t get enough exposure to the sun, especially during winter. In that case, your serotonin levels drop, and you are exposed to a higher risk of seasonal affective disorder, a type of depression caused by seasonal change. Sunlight does more than boost your mood. It can heal certain skin conditions such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis, prevent cancer and alleviate rheumatoid arthritis, thyroiditis, and lupus. Let us dig deeper into the science behind sunshine and its benefits to your overall well-being.
Vitamin D
Exposure to the sun prompts your body to create Vitamin D, which is responsible for building strong bones and teeth. You can reap Vitamin D’s benefits through regular sun exposure for 10-30 minutes a day. Experts recommend that the best time for beneficial sunlight should be midday sunlight, and your exposure time should be based on your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Just be careful not to burn.
However, your skin can still fail to make vitamin D from the sunlight. Some of the factors that can cause such inability could be the time of the day you are exposed to the sun, how far you live from the equator, skin color, and whether you are wearing sunscreen or not. Therefore, stick to the recommended time, but if you plan to stay in the sun for long, it’s best if you apply sunscreen after 10-30 minutes.
Healing Skin Conditions
Exposure to the sun has proven to treat many skin conditions. While dermatologists recommend replacing other forms of treatment with sunlight, the sun can still help you deal with conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. Just ensure you don’t overexpose yourself to the sun as it can turn out harmful.
Additionally, if you have severe eczema, too much exposure to the sun could worsen the situation. In addition to healing skin conditions, safe exposure to the sun can protect your skin from cancer.
Serotonin
As discussed earlier, serotonin is a chemical that transmits messages between nerve cells in the brain and the body. It is essential in enabling body functions such as mood, digestion, sleep, nausea, and sexual desire. Your body produces serotonin naturally in the brain and intestines. Additionally, when sunlight enters your eyes, it stimulates your retina, which cues the brain to produce serotonin.
While many good things can be said about sunlight, it’s equally important to note that the sun emits ultraviolet rays that can penetrate your skin and damage cell DNA. As mentioned earlier, the measure of how much sunlight is excessive depends on your skin type.
Scientists have not yet established the cause of depression. However, there is a theory that associates depression with an imbalance in the neurotransmitters in the body, like serotonin. Oftentimes, depression can lead to larger problems such as substance abuse. If this is the case, try a luxury drug rehab treatment in Florida to address the problem and seek out a counselor to aide in the emotional aspects.
Melatonin
Melatonin is the opposite of serotonin, which your brain releases in response to darkness. Melatonin works to improve your sleep, and the sun plays a significant role in its production. Therefore, the more you expose yourself to the sun during the day, the more melatonin your body produces during the night to help you have a good night’s sleep. In addition to improving your sleep, melatonin can lower stress reactivity.
Melatonin helps with the timing of your 24-hour internal clock, also called the circadian rhythm. If your circadian rhythm is distorted, it can induce depression and bipolar disorder symptoms based on the disruption pattern. Therefore, daylight exposure plays a crucial role in maintaining your normal circadian rhythm. However, when you expose yourself to light, you can potentially block melatonin production.
Sunlight and Moderation
While many good things can be said about sunlight, it’s equally important to note that the sun emits ultraviolet rays that can penetrate your skin and damage cell DNA. As mentioned earlier, the measure of how much sunlight is excessive depends on your skin type. If your skin is fair, you are highly likely to get sunburned quickly than if your skin is darker. To be safe, always wear sunscreen on your face and arms, and stick to the recommended time of 10 to 30 minutes.
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