Healthy Sunbathing
Sunbathing can be healthy?!
Happy July, folks! Yes, you read that above correctly, sunbathing can not only be healthy, it can be extremely beneficial when done properly! I KNOW you’re all caught up on my previous newsletters *stares intensely* so let’s just dive right in to this one.
Happy 1st day of July! I wanted to get through this day because this day last year, I was 9 months pregnant, and our house got struck by lightning. It was an insane experience that I am glad we are almost done with. Yeah, I said almost because insurance is, well, a PAIN. Yes, it’s great to have, but shew it’s taken a year to get through all the hoops to jump through. That being said, this year looks a bit different. I find myself sunbathing with the hope to get a bit of a tan by October because it’s a big date for this household. Since I have an 11-month-old, I also wanted to look into better alternatives to sunscreen. It goes right along with my ‘live as chemically-free as possible whilst still enjoying candles’ philosophy. (I know, candles are bad, we’ll get into that in another newsletter). So with my research, I thought it would be helpful to go through holistic reasons to sunbathe not only for our adult bodies, but ways to help babies and children build proper amounts of Vitamin D without the scare of skin cancer. Let’s dive in!
To begin, life on Earth is impossible without the Sun. Not only does it give us our days, it gives us warmth, regulates our body’s natural rhythms (hello Circadian Rhythm newsletter :D), assists our body’s in the production of Vitamin D when used correctly, and literally gives life to plants, animals, and humans. The health benefits for our bodies when it comes to sunlight is just like anything else in the world- best in moderation. 15-20 mins of early morning sun, or 10-15 mins of any-time-of-day sun can help us in so many ways. It is still best to avoid getting burned, as the UV rays of the sun ARE harmful, but again, in moderation, the benefits far outweigh the risks. Timing of the day has a lot to do with this. A general rule of thumb I just learned is in order to avoid the harmful rays, avoid sunbathing when your shadow is shorter than your height. This can help prevent burns!
Ok, like what benefits are you speaking of? Below I’ll list some of these benefits I’m talking about.
Vitamin D production
I know, I’ve mentioned it. What’s it mean exactly? Vitamin D is a chemical, but it has several forms. Naturally, it is produced in the skin from a universally present form of cholesterol- 7. The Ultraviolet B (UVB) energy from the sun converts the precursor to Vitamin D3, which is then carried to our livers and then the kidneys transform it to active Vitamin D. Pretty cool, right? There are manufactured Vitamin D pills in the form of dietary supplements, which are made by exposing a plant sterol to UV energy, producing Vitamin D2. The function is almost identical to D3, so they are typically lumped together under the name Vitamin D. However, neither D vitamin functions properly until the body converts it as mentioned above.
How does it work?
Vitamin D is best known to help with the intestinal absorption of calcium. When deficient, osteoporosis is prevalent, as is the increase in risk of fractures. Since our work force has changed from working outside to working in offices, it is believed that 50% of the population may have insufficient levels of Vitamin D to maintain optimal health. THAT’S A LOT. Deficiency has been linked to strokes, raised blood pressure, diabetes, and immune insufficiency. Vitamin D helps keep our bones strong, but it also plays an important role in regulating cell growth, helping prevent unrestrained cell multiplication that characterizes cancer by reducing cell division. This goes specifically for the prostate, as it has an abundant supply of vitamin D receptors! It’s helps with Prostate cancer, ya’ll!
Sunbathing helps keep blood pressure in check
Especially those with hypertension, sunbaths help in activating the nitric oxide found in the topmost layer of the skin, widens the blood cells and helps improve blood circulation, thus keeping blood pressure in check
It helps boost immunity
Your body’s immune system is full of fighter T cells that need to mature to become active. Sunlight helps these cells mature and makes them ready to fight off infections!
Helps you relax/Keeps you happy!
Sunbathing calms your muscles and helps in the cognitive development of the brain. It helps fight depression and keeps you feeling energized and calm!
Helps in weight loss?
I don’t mean the sun liposuctions your fat away. It boosts the production of the hormone serotonin which helps suppress your appetite and makes you feel full for a longer time.
Natural way to wake up
I know I mentioned it in my Caffeine newsletter (found here), but 15 mins of morning sun first thing is a natural way to wake up without needing the brain busting caffeine.
Balances hormones
Sunbathing helps regulate the pineal gland, which is crucial in the regulation of your body’s sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm plug). Human brains are so confused by artificial light now that this regulation is needed to maintain a healthy sleep cycle.
I think you get the point. Of course, if redness occurs, soreness, or itching, then you’ve likely stayed out too long. If you plan on being in the sun for longer than a beneficial sunbathing stint, and you’re with your children, the best way to avoid the chemicals of traditional sunscreen is to make your own! I will link a couple home-made sunscreen ideas below. I plan on trying these and will report back when I do!
To conclude, getting sun is more than about aesthetics and melanin. It has serious health benefits that everyone needs to think about, especially with today’s lifestyle of staying indoors and under artifical light at all times. Stay tuned in the winter months for a Part 2 on this! And please, email me back if you try one of the homemade sunscreen ideas! I want to hear your successes!
Homemade Sunscreen ideas:
https://wellnessmama.com/beauty/homemade-sunscreen/
https://www.healthline.com/health/homemade-sunscreen
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/homemade-sunscreen/
Helpful Resources:
https://www.aanyawellness.com/early-morning-sunbathing/
https://holisticlakewood.com/sunbathe-safely-to-produce-natural-vitamin-d/
