7 Reasons You Need Daily Sunshine

We have been taught for so long growing up that sunshine is dangerous and to slap on tons of sunscreen every day and avoid it at all costs due to the rise in skin cancer. As a human being, along with artificial light, the lack of sunshine early in the day can lead to sleep disturbances and other health problems.

1. Sunshine Reduces Stress – When you spend time in the sun, your body releases serotonin, stress lowering hormone in your body. The activity also helps eliminate anxiety so that you will go to bed at night with less worry.
2. Sunshine Helps Maintain Strong Bones – You know you need vitamin D to keep your bones healthy, but did you know that going out in the sun every day naturally boosts your vitamin D level. Getting 15 to 20 minutes of daily sunlight on your exposed skin and in your eyes is needed to accomplish this.
3. Sunshine Helps You Maintain a Healthy Weight – A really interesting correlation to getting more sunshine is that most people who spend time in the sun weigh less. So it’s important to shoot for morning sunshine every morning.
4.  Sunshine Boosts Your Immune System – Having more vitamin D in your system will boost your immunity to all sorts of illnesses and viruses. Sunshine creates vitamin D naturally in your body in as little as 15 minutes of the morning sun.
5. Sunshine Fights Depression – When you get out in the sunshine, it helps adjust your body clock, which will help fight off depression. This is the main reason some people experience more problems in the winter after the time changes. Note: If you have a circadian disorder, you might experience the opposite effect – getting sleepy in the sunshine – if that is the case, seek assistance from a doctor and sleep specialist.
6. Sunshine Can Help You Live Longer – One study showed spending just 30 minutes a day in the sunshine added two years of a wonderful life.
7. Sunshine Helps You Sleep Better at Night – When you get morning sunshine, it adjusts your body clock so that you will sleep better at night. It also works to get into the sun as it’s going down by going for a stroll after dinner to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down now.

You don’t need to put yourself in danger to get enough sunshine each day to improve your sleep quality and health. And you really don’t need to concern yourself about sun damage if you’re not taking medication that increases photosensory like antibiotics, antidepressants, antihistamines, and other meds. Check with your doctor to ensure that it’s okay to get 30 minutes of morning sunshine every day, preferably without sunscreen or sunglasses.