We all know that excessive exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer, skin wrinkles and skin aging. However, sunlight is very good for our overall health.

Understanding the power of sunlight is very important. The intensity of sunlight is measured in “lux” or “luxes”, for example, on a sunny day, the light outside can reach three thousand lux. However, a very bright indoor environment will provide only 400 lux. That’s less than 15 percent of the brightness of daylight.

The human body relies on a natural bodily hormone called melatonin to improve sleep. Throughout our adult lives, melatonin declines, but it peaks during childhood. Have you ever wondered why children sleep much longer and better than adults?

The body carefully regulates the production of melatonin. The light-dark cycle largely controls this process. During the night in a dark environment, melatonin production is at its peak. This process is regulated by the pineal gland, which is located in the center of the brain. The pineal gland serves as a kind of “clock” that regulates this process at the right time.

The body does not accumulate melatonin. In order to get a good night’s sleep, we need a moderate supply. Daily exposure to natural sunlight is known to increase melatonin production. Manufactured supplements and artificial lights are a weak substitute and not worth the effort. The best way to get the melatonin your body needs is daily sun exposure.

However, there are other benefits to getting adequate sunlight. Sunlight is a powerful germ killer. This is why in the old days people would leave their blankets, comforters and other items out in the sun to be sterilized. Sunlight also gives skin a healthy glow and makes it soft and supple.

A sense of well-being is also attributed to sunlight along with mood elevation in most people. Although exposure to the sun is very beneficial, you must remember to use moderation when exposing yourself to direct sunlight. Acute and chronic depression can also be treated with sunlight along with exercise. Have you ever wondered why we feel so sad on a rainy day? During the winter months, try to get as much sun as possible.

Vitamin D is another great benefit of the sun’s rays. When the sun hits the skin, the body can make vitamin D. The body needs vitamin D to pick up calcium from the intestines and use it to build strong, healthy bones. Osteoporosis and childhood and adult rickets can be prevented with adequate sun exposure.

Other benefits of sunlight also include:

Boosts the immune system

Relieves bread from inflamed arthritic joints.

Reduce cholesterol levels in the blood

Relieve certain symptoms of premenstrual syndrome

did you know

– PMS, fertility, sleep and your energy can be improved with an extra hour of sunlight a day.

– Mental health can be positively affected by seasonal variations in light levels. A great indication of this is that a person suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is treated with light therapy.

– Colon, breast and prostate cancer are less likely to affect people who get more sunlight.

Although sunlight has many benefits, there are also risk factors. Sunlight can cause skin cancer, especially in fair-skinned people. Everyone should be careful and take the necessary precautions before exposing skin to sunlight for a long period of time. Healthy living tissue burns when exposed to too much sun. Skin cancer could become a reality for people who suffer repeated burns, which can also cause irreversible damage. Premature aging, skin wrinkles, sebaceous glands and skin elasticity can be damaged due to repeated sunburn and deep skin tanning. A high-fat diet along with excessive sun exposure is also associated with an increased risk factor for skin cancer.

Here are some guidelines for safe and healthy exposure to sunlight:

– Just like wearing sunglasses on your skin, a moderate tan can be protective. However, you must know your own tolerance to sunlight. Five minutes of sun exposure a day should be a starting point for fair-skinned people with red hair. Ten to fifteen minutes a day might be a starting point for people with darker skin. For most people, thirty minutes of sunlight a day should be the ultimate goal.

– Sunburns increase the risk of both malignant melanoma (the deadliest form of cancer) and squamous cell carcinoma, which kills 9,000 Americans a year. Therefore, it is not wise to burn. If necessary, wear protective clothing, glasses and sunscreen.

– Prepare your skin with adequate hydration before going on trips or vacations to hot places.

– All the vitamin D you need will be provided by five minutes of sun a day on your face and hands.

– Lift your spirits and improve your health by opening the windows and letting in the sunlight every morning.

– There is no substitute for the real thing. Each day should be spent absorbing a little sunlight.