Sunlight

 

The benefits of sunlight to your health cannot be expressed enough.  Sunlight is vital to our existence on earth.  The plants, animals, insects, and people need sunlight to survive.  It is said that horses that are in the minefields have to be brought up from the darkness every seven days or they will go blind.  Sunlight kills bacteria in the home, workplace, and on your skin.  Unfortunately, due to the air conditioning in our homes, people seldom open their windows.  This can eventually lead to sick building syndrome because the air is poisoned.  

 

Benefits Of Sunlight

 

Sunlight provides the skin and the body with vitamin D which aids in the prevention of the bones becoming brittle leading to osteoporosis, gum disease, and other health issues.  Overexposure in the sun is harmful and can lead to skin cancer.  Care should be taken with venturing out in the sun when it is very hot, around mid-day.   

 

To prevent sun damage wear a hat and long sleeve cotton shirts.  The reason why you should wear cotton is that cotton breathes and other fabric does not.  Cotton helps the body to maintain proper temperature levels.  

 

Sunlight can be of benefit to people suffering from depression.  If you are depressed to go out into the sunlight and do some gardening.   Go for a walk, go to the park and you will begin to feel better.  Sometimes the cause of depression can be a sign of vitamin D deficiency.  If you need motivation, enlist the help of a walking buddy, get a dog, or borrow someone else's dog, and take it for a walk.  Take the children to the park, if you have no kids, borrow some from family and friends. 

 

Walking in the sunlight will help you to lose weight.  

 

Having trouble sleeping?  Sunlight will help you to sleep.  When you are out in the sun, at the park, the beach, or just walking around the neighborhood, you will begin to feel better.  

 

Getting the proper amount of sunlight can reduce the risk of some cancers which includes but not limited to prostate cancer, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer.  

 

If you are suffering from arthritis, muscle pain, bowel disease, this could be a sign of not getting enough sunlight, vitamin D, magnesium, and other minerals.  

 

If you are suffering from inflammation in the body, getting out in the sun will help your condition.   Suffering from high blood pressure can lead to a stroke, but getting out into the sun will help lower your blood pressure, along with a good nutrition diet and exercise. 

 

How is your heart?  Did you know that getting an adequate amount of sunlight is beneficial to your heart?  Getting enough sunlight can help with lowering the risk of developing dementia and other mental disorders.  

 

Getting an adequate amount of vitamin D from the sun will help to protect your eyes and lower your chances of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and other eye problems.   

 

What amount of sunlight is needed?

 

The amount of sunlight needed by each individual varies.  If you are of a lighter complexion you may need only five to ten minutes of sunlight each day.  If you are of a darker complexion you may need 20 to 25 minutes in the sun each day.  Remember, moderation is the key to anything you do, even if it is good for you.  

 

During the winter months when there is very little sunlight, you may consider supplementing with a good vitamin D supplement, calcium and magnesium supplements.

 

Sunlight has many more health benefits but I have only listed a few in this article.