Benefits of morning sunlight for skin, For pursuing a healthy lifestyle, you would have heard several tips like drinking lots of water, eating healthy food which includes fruits and vegetables, avoiding fatty foods and carbonated drinks, eating loads of nuts for snacking, physical exercises, etc.
Other lifestyle changes make a huge difference in making you physically and mentally healthy. One of them is the ‘morning sunlight’. YES! Who would have thought that the ultraviolet rays of the sun would be beneficial, although we all know the sun helps in producing vitamin D for the body?
Why and how ultraviolet rays of the sun could be advantageous for the human body? In this post today, we would explain the benefits of morning sunlight health-wise.
1. Boosts Vitamin D Production
Many of the health problems start with vitamin D deficiency which also leads to weak calcium levels in the body. The health issues related to skin and bones start taking their form and reach a serious level before you know it. Hair loss, muscle pains, and aching joints are the most common negative effects of no sunlight on the human body.
Getting yourself exposed to the early morning sun is the best form of natural production of vitamin D in your body. Getting 10-15 mins of the early morning sun would do the job.
Some of the benefits of 20 minutes of sunshine per day are:
- Strengthening bones and their calcium
- Increasing muscle strength
- Maximizing muscle fibre for speed and rigidity
- Bone power in lower legs
- Strong legs and their grip would help prevent falls
- Overall regulation of the immune system
This sunshine can be obtained when walking to the school office, taking a morning stroll before breakfast, or simply sitting in your garden or balcony for a short period of time.
2. Improves Mood and Mental Health
The benefit of sunlight in the morning is not confined to vitamin D generation; many of us are unaware of other obvious but unnoticed effects. Few individuals are aware that mood control and mental well-being are two of the most prominent effects of sunlight on the body.
When you expose your body to the sun, the brain releases a hormone called serotonin. This specific hormone is related to uplifting one’s mood which results in you feeling calmer and more focused. It also means that your attention levels would be high. You would feel more active and energetic in the daytime and obviously, the body would get tired during the day, for which you need to get rest at night.
It would be surprising for you to know that some people get depressed in winter when the sunlight levels are quite low. During summers, the daylight persists for a larger part of the day and more serotonin is produced. It is a primary reason that serotonin levels are high in summer.
Treatment of seasonal depression could be instantly gained by getting 20 minutes of sunshine per day. Some crucial symptoms of this depression are sleeping extra hours daily, becoming lazy, hard to make friends and overeating, etc. For this specific depression, the benefit of sunlight in the morning is that it is rarely seen in the summer. However, keep in mind that it should be early in the morning. Midday sun would be harmful to your skin and eyes.
On the other side, the effect of no sunlight on the human body is the lack of sleep at night. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the absence of sunlight at night. This hormone aids the body’s ability to sleep.
3. Controls Circadian Rhythms
As previously said, sunshine has a direct impact on our attentiveness and sleep cycles. The circadian clock of the body operates in tandem with the management of sunshine exposure. Some signs of this cycle include falling asleep in the dark and waking up as soon as the first rays of the light reach your bedroom.
The effect of sunlight on the body is observed with the sensitivity of the circadian clock relevant to sunlight. The sensitivity is high two hours before sleep time, all during the night, and one hour before your regular waking up time early in the morning.
Avoiding bright light before bedtime would help you go to sleep faster. It is recommended you should put out all the lights in your room, but if you prefer, you could have a small night light. Furthermore, seeing bright light early in the morning would help you fall asleep more easily during nighttime.
4. Supports Eye Health
Early morning sun is healthy for your eyes, as long as you don’t overexpose them. Early morning rays are beneficial to eye health and improve eyesight.
The early morning sun’s rays help in the release of dopamine from the retina. Dopamine stops the eye from growing, which increases the chance of myopia. Vitamin D production provides some assistance, which aids in the development of stronger eyesight.
To keep your eyes protected while you are obtaining benefits for good eyesight, do not expose your eyes directly to the sunlight, even if it is early morning sun. Although the early morning sun is less harsh, the best morning sunlight benefits time is from 7 am to 9 am. You should still consider wearing a hat though.
5. Strengthens Immune System
Since sunlight helps in the production of vitamin D, this vitamin helps in making your immune system strong. The immunomodulatory effects are immense when the defence system becomes strong to fight against bacteria and viruses- a defence shield for fighting diseases.
The potential benefits of reducing the risk of certain diseases are high when you know the right time to expose your body to the sun. It would not be enough reiterating when we say that the best morning sunlight benefits time is from 7 am to 9 am for 15-20 minutes at least.
6. Promotes Healthy Skin
There are numerous benefits of morning sunlight for the skin. Sitting in the morning sun has now become modern-day health advice in every way, including the skin. But, overexposure to ultraviolet rays, especially of the midday sun is not suggested as it may lead to skin cancer.
Greeks considered sunbathing as a part of the yoga technique. One of the skin diseases, psoriasis, is caused if you do not exercise this particular yoga every day. Psoriasis is a dry plaque that thickens your skin. The early morning sunlight reduces this skin condition with its own amazing light therapy.
Another benefit of morning sunlight for the skin is the treatment of vitiligo. Vitiligo is a skin condition in which white patches all over your body. It could be treated by boosting your immune system via the early morning sun and some physician-prescribed drugs.
Conclusion
The early morning sun offers numerous benefits to our health and well-being. Its gentle, golden rays provide us with essential vitamin D, which is vital for maintaining strong bones, supporting our immune system, and regulating our mood. Exposure to sunlight in the morning also helps synchronize your circadian rhythm, promoting better sleep patterns and overall sleep quality. Additionally, sunlight stimulates the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that enhances mood and contributes to feelings of happiness and well-being.
The morning sun’s natural light can improve your focus, alertness, and productivity throughout the day. Moreover, spending time outdoors in the morning sun allows you to connect with nature, reduce stress levels, and boost your mental and emotional well-being. By prioritizing regular exposure to the early morning sun, we can harness its numerous health benefits and enhance your overall quality of life.
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