Healthy levels of vitamin D from the sun can improve your health and wellbeing
in many different ways. The sun gets plenty of negative press in terms
of the dangers of skin cancer and premature skin aging, but sunshine can
also be highly positive. Time in the sun not only makes you feel happier
but can actually reduce depression and anxiety. And sunshine may even
lower your risk of suffering from serious diseases like cancer.
The Health Benefits of Sunlight:
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Helps build strong bones and avoid osteoporosis. When you expose your skin to sunlight your body makes vitamin D. Vitamin
D helps your body absorb calcium. Good levels of calcium protect your
bones against brittleness, breakage, and disease.
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Reduces the risk of diabetes. Experts suggest that people with higher levels of vitamin D are up to
40 percent less likely to develop diabetes. The sun is an effective provider
of vitamin D – spending some time outside in the sun each day helps
bring your vitamin D levels up.
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Reduces the risk of cancer. While spending too much time in the sun can increase your risk of skin
cancer, being safe in the sun and spending time outdoors with sunscreen
can lower your risk of developing breast cancer, colon cancer, and rectal cancer.
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Boosts your body’s immunity. A healthy immune system helps your body fight disease and prevents common
ailments like colds and flu.
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Improves your eyes. Vitamin D from sunlight lowers your risk of suffering from cataracts and
also improves your eye health as you get older.
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Helps you lose weight? While it is not clear whether spending time in the sun reduces obesity,
some studies do show that sunlight can improve your metabolism, which
results in better weight control.
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Helps you sleep. It is documented that exposure to sunshine during the day helps you sleep
better at night. You reset the body’s internal clock in order to
fall asleep more easily and enjoy better rest.
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Improves your mood. Getting outside in the sunshine has a marked effect on your mood. You feel
more cheerful and more positive, and you are less stressed and anxious.
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Lowers levels of depression. Sunlight also helps your body to produce more serotonin, which cuts your
risk of depression and seasonal affective disorder.
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