- Small doses of
sun exposure can providehealth benefits, such as boosting mood and increasingvitamin D production. - For most people, 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure a day is enough to receive these health benefits.
- To prevent sun damage and minimize health risks, you should wear broad spectrum
sunscreen daily with at least an SPF of 30. - This article was $4 by $4, an ophthalmologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California.
Sunlight is often perceived as a threat to your health because it can cause wrinkles, premature aging, and most importantly, $4. But, research suggests exposure to sunlight may actually be beneficial in small doses.
Here are a few ways sunlight positively affects your body and brain, and how much sun you should get to receive these health benefits.
1. Sunlight boosts mood
Scientists have found that $4 the central nervous system's functioning — primarily in regards to serotonin levels.
$4 and hormone secreted by the hypothalamus that allows brain cells and other nervous system cells to communicate with one another.
It plays various roles in our $4, but it's perhaps best known for its effect on mood $4.
Because $4, during periods of the year when sunlight is less available — like in winter — the hypothalamus produces less serotonin from sunlight. This can put people at an increased risk of experiencing $4 and $4, possibly leading to conditions like Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
SAD, or $4, is a mood disorder that manifests during fall and winter months. Those who experience SAD usually see their symptoms of depression improve come spring and summer with more daylight hours. One of the ways the disorder is $4, as the practice is believed to boost serotonin levels.
2. Sunlight increases vitamin D production
Sunlight serves a crucial role in the body's production of $4 which has many $4. Vitamin D $4calcium, $4 Mineralization describes the formation of$4, which $4
Sunlight is the $4 people get vitamin D.A common misconception is that sunlight actually contains vitamin D. In fact, $4 to produce the substance.
Research has shown that maintaining adequate amounts of vitamin D may protect you from $4 and various forms of cancers including $4, $4, and $4
It is important to note these studies all found correlations, not causations in the connection between vitamin D and cancer. Therefore, there is no guarantee that adequate amounts of the sunshine vitamin will prevent cancer.
Further, using sunscreen daily will $4 benefits offered by the sun.
3. Sunlight may prevent nearsightedness
$4 children who spend more time in sunlight may be less likely to become nearsighted. A 2012 review $4by the American Academy of Ophthalmology found that for each hour children up to the age of 20 spent outdoors, the odds of developing nearsightedness fell 2%.
$4, MD, an ophthalmologist at $4, says$4 additional one to three hours a day outside, to stimulate dopamine production. Lack of dopamine causes elongation of the eye, resulting in nearsightedness. However, exposure to sunlight $4 on kids who are already nearsighted.
4. Sunlight can help you sleep
Sunlight plays a pivotal role in regulating our $4. This clock, otherwise known as circadian rhythm, dictates our behavior based on $4 — like when to fall asleep, wake up, or eat. Light appears to be one of the main driving forces behind this clock.
Through a process called $4 a person's circadian rhythm needs to reset every day in order to stay synced with changes in light. This can occur because of changing seasons or moving to a new time zone. Research indicates entrainment takes place as a result of exposure to light and darkness.
Regular $4 to sleep when it becomes dark, and as a result, it can help you get a better night's sleep.
How much sunlight should you get?
According to $4, MD, professor and interim chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, it's difficult to determine a standard amount of time one should spend soaking up the rays to ensure adequate vitamin D production.
For many people, $4 per day is enough. However, the length of time will vary widely due to factors $4, $4, and how close you are to the equator.
$4 — that is anywhere roughly north of Arizona — the skin produces trivial amounts of vitamin D during fall, winter, and spring. Meanwhile, people over the age of 65 produce just 25%of the vitamin D that young adults do. $4, as darker skin pigmentation reduces production.
Therefore, Friedman recommends people who fall into the above demographics take vitamin D supplements. The $4 under the age of 70 is 600 international units (IU) a day.
In rare cases, $4 can lead to toxicity called hypervitaminosis D, which can lead to renal and cardiac problems.
Too much sunlight can be harmful
Spending too much time in the sun can be harmful to your health. $4 is considered a skin injury. Other skin conditions like hyperpigmentation,$4 are also caused by too much UV radiation.
Of course, these concerns are far from just cosmetic. Skin cancer, often caused by harmful ultraviolet radiation, is the $4 with more than $4. This is why it's important to $4 regardless of how much time you spend in the sun.
"We do recommend everyone should wear sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher broad spectrum on exposed areas every day," says Friedman.
For more information, learn about how to protect yourself and $4.
The bottom line
Sunlight provides a wide range of health benefits. Even just 10 to 15 minutes of daily exposure can jumpstart production of vitamin D and regulate your sleep schedule. But, too much sunlight can cause adverse health effects like skin cancer. That's why it's important to wear sunscreen daily.