Have you ever noticed that you may feel upbeat and happy on sunny, warm days, and want to stay in bed on overcast, rainy days? You have Mr. Sun to thank for that. Sunshine provides many benefits to our physical health, mood and mind. Sure, the sun gets a bad rap for causing skin cancer (which isn’t to be taken lightly), fading the paint job on our cars and sometimes causing our bodies to overheat, but for the most part, we adore sunshine. Think days at the beach, picnics and outdoor sporting events. These things are much more pleasant to participate in when the sun is shining.
As long as you remember to wear sunscreen, being out in the sunshine does plenty of good things for your body. Soaking up the sun does wonders for your mind, bones and more, almost immediately.
Benefits of Being in the Sun
• Improved Mood: Getting sun increases serotonin levels and helps you avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Sun exposure has also been proven to help people with anxiety and depression.
• Increased Vitamin D: Vitamin D helps reduce inflammation in the body, battle fatigue and aids in cell growth. The sun is a great natural source of Vitamin D. It only takes 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight a few times a week to gain the benefits.
• Stronger Bones: The sunlight helps with stronger bones by aiding in the production of Vitamin D, which lowers the risk of osteoporosis. Sunlight, along with calcium, makes for stronger bones and teeth.
• Better Quality Sleep: Do you want a good night’s sleep? Go outdoors in the sunshine and do physical labor. Mow the lawn, plant a garden or wash your car. Melatonin, a chemical in your brain that lulls you into a deep sleep, is produced in higher doses by the sun. Along with serotonin, this can help your body get the sleep it needs. Mix a day in the sun with exercise and your body will thank you by fighting off insomnia naturally.
• Lower Blood Pressure: When sunlight hits your skin, your body releases nitric oxide into your blood. Nitric oxide brings down your blood pressure and improves your heart health. Relaxing also helps to lower your blood pressure, so boost up the sun’s warmth while sitting near a pool or tanning at the beach.
With springtime here and summer approaching, getting your daily dose of sunshine will be easy. By taking the proper precautions and wearing your sunscreen, spending time in the sun will indeed help you keep your “sunny disposition.†We all want to feel healthy and look good, so soak up the sun and enjoy yourself.
Fashion, festivals and fun in the sun! A sure “blues” cure for most everyone.
How the sun can cure a down mood and attitude!
Nancy Mangano is an American beauty/fashion/style influencer, fashion journalist, screenwriter and author of the Natalie North murder mystery book series. Visit Nancy on her global online fashion/style/beauty magazine Strutting in Style! at https://nancymariemangano.com, her Facebook page Nancy Mangano at https://www.facebook.com/nancymmangano/ Twitter @https://twitter.com/nancymangano and her author website http://www.nancymangano.com
