The summer months mean more fun in the sun, but while you’re frolicking in the waves or exploring the great outdoors, you may be wondering, is sunlight healthy for you? We all know that spending prolonged time in the sun may be harmful to your skin, but if you can find the sweet spot between too much sun and just enough, there are a multitude of benefits you can soak up without risking your skin.
Sunshine State of Mind
Sunshine—and in particular, serotonin—has a strong correlation with mental health. Exposure to sunlight can encourage the brain’s production of the hormone serotonin, which boosts mood and helps you to feel calm and focused. Without sufficient sun exposure, serotonin levels can drop, putting you at a higher risk of mental diseases like depression.
Vitamin D Production
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that is responsible for a variety of health benefits, including boosting your immune system. Exposing your skin to sunlight encourages vitamin D production, and one study found that within a 30-minute period, people of different skin tones created the following vitamin D levels:
50,000 international units (IUs) in most fair-skinned people
20,000 to 30,000 IUs in tanned people
8,000 to 10,000 IUs in dark-skinned people
Preventing Cancer
Spending too much time in the sun can lead to burns that put us at a higher risk of skin diseases, but a moderate amount of sunlight can actually ward off skin cancers. Research has found that people living in areas with few daylight hours are more prone to specific cancers than those in sunnier places. These can include colon, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers, as well as Hogdkin’s lymphoma.
Healing Skin Conditions
The World Health Organization has also found that moderate sunlight exposure can help alleviate symptoms of certain skin conditions, including psoriasis, eczema, jaundice, and acne.
Research has also found links between sunlight and the treatment of other conditions, including rheumatoid arthitis, systemic lupus erythematosus, inflammatory bowel disease, and thyroiditis.
When you’re having fun in the sun this season, be sure to take care of your skin by wearing a hat, sunglasses, and applying sunscreen regularly. With purposeful and safe sun exposure, you can boost your mood, capitalize on that vitamin D production, and even guard your health against diseases with the power of sunlight.
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