300 Days of Sunlight and Why you Should Take Advantage of Them

As I sit down to write, I take an opportunity to glance out my office window, clearing my mind to focus and looking for inspiration to catch my eye. The sun rays are shining down on this gorgeous summer day, brightening the world outside with an alluring glow that beckons me to take a minute to stand outside and soak up the heat. As I stand there, I’m reminded of just how revitalizing nature can be, and find myself longing to put on my running shoes and get outside to play.

Even if you’re a committed gym rat, the allure of working out in fresh-air and sunshine is undeniable, especially in Colorado where the weather is often perfect for such activities! Research shows that people who spend time outside are also healthier and happier in general, and with good reason.

Sunlight exposure has been linked to a variety of health benefits. Sunshine increases vitamin D, which aids in the breakdown and absorption of calcium, improving bone health and helping to prevent diseases such as osteoporosis. Vitamin D has also been shown to promote healing of certain skin disorders, including psoriasis, eczema, and even acne.

Sunlight also helps to regulate certain hormones like serotonin, which can help boost your mood and ease depression. Serotonin can help you to calm down and focus your mind, increasing alertness and cognition. Keeping a regular schedule of time in the sunlight and time in the dark also helps to balance the production of serotonin and melatonin, promoting the natural circadian rhythm of sleep and improving sleep quality.

Richard Weller, Senior Lecturer in Dermatology, and his colleagues at The University of Edinburgh, found that sun exposure not only improves health, but can also prolong your life. This is because sunlight can lower your blood pressure, reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease, heart attacks, and stroke.

We often hear of how too much sunlight can be very damaging to our bodies, and we know that skin cancer is absolutely a real concern. However, as you can see there are so many benefits to getting outside too! So, if you’re having trouble getting back to the activities you love, let our team here at ProActive help you to get there. Give us a call today so we can get you outside and basking in the healing sunlight.

And remember, wear your sunscreen.

Article resources:

Benefits of moderate sun exposure. (2017). health.harvard.edu/family_health_guide/benefits-of-moderate-sun-exposure