The Deadly Consequences Of Going Without Sunlight

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We hear a lot about how getting too much sun can be bad for our health, but one thing you probably haven’t considered is how harmful it can be to not get enough sunlight. Humans have a love/hate relationship with the sun, but one thing is for certain — without it we don’t feel right. Part of the reason is that we use the sun to help metabolize, very much like plants depend on the light for photosynthesis. This isn’t to say we shouldn’t use caution when going out in the sun, only that the sun is not the enemy that it is often made out to be. Recent studies have shown that exposure to sun on a moderate level has benefits that overshadow any potential risks.

So what are the major benefits of getting a dose of sun every day?

The Benefits of Getting Some Sun

The concept of getting sun to improve your health is actually somewhat new, and it has rocked the current ideology. Part of the reason was sun exposure and its links to cancer, but current research is showing that sun exposure in moderation actually does more to help your health than it does to hurt it.

The first thing you must understand about sun exposure is that it is important to stay safe and do it in moderation. Sun exposure and your health are linked to the vitamins you receive via the sun, namely vitamin D. One major benefit you get from vitamin D is to your skeletal system. Vitamin D actually improves the way your body processes calcium, and therefore improves your bone density. Your bones actually become stronger with the more exposure to sun you have.

Sun exposure also has an impact on our mood and brain function through vitamin D, which has been shown to promote the growth of neurological cells. It has also shown great improvement for those suffering from degenerative conditions such as dementia. It also helps improve symptoms of depression and elevates moods in people who struggle with psychological disorders.

On top of all of these benefits, exposure to the sun has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and improve overall heart health. You’ll also receive a boost your immune system and show a stronger immune response when you get a daily dose of sun. Subjects exposed to a daily dose of sun also slept better and had more consistent sleep patterns.

The bottom line is that sun doesn’t have to be our enemy as it was often portrayed in the past. Obviously there are still risks associated with too much exposure, so experts suggest getting moderate amounts of sun exposure every day. It can take as little as 20 minutes to reap the benefits, so you don’t have to bake yourself all day. Also, be sure to apply sunscreen, even when you perform regular, daily activities.

Sun as the New Treatment for Health Conditions

In the past 50 years or so, exposure to the sun was viewed as a new age or homeopathic approach to healing, but now it is coming into its own, medically speaking. There is new evidence that shows a strong correlation between health and wellbeing and exposure to the sun.

One important thing to understand is that it isn’t entirely linked to vitamin D either. We have to understand the complex relationship between the sun and our own bodies to truly get the most out of this new revelation. Understanding this may lead to new appreciation and regulation for those who work night shifts or who spend all their time inside. It has serious implications for those imprisoned or institutionalized as well.

These new ideas about sunlight deficiency will create a new and more meaningful understanding of how the sun contributes to our health and wellbeing. In fact, sunlight deficiency really says a lot about who we are as human beings and how we have evolved to become more dependent on living “inside.” In the future, it is entirely possible that sun exposure will be just as important as your daily intake of vitamins.

References:

www.health.harvard.edu

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