The Health Benefits of Sunshine for Mood, Sleep, and Wellness

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Are you thinking of Sunshine?

When you think of the sun, your first thought might be about the damage it can do. But there are many health benefits of sunshine. Concerns about skin damage and skin cancer often lead many people to avoid the sun or wear sunscreen whenever they are outdoors. It’s true that too much sun can be dangerous. Yet a bit of sunshine can provide a major boost to your health, mood, sleep, and overall wellness. What are the health benefits of sunshine when your exposure is sensible? Take a look at our list below.

Sunshine and Your Circadian Rhythm

One of the biggest health benefits of sunshine is its effect on your body’s internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm. Exposure to natural light, especially in the morning, helps signal to your body that it is time to wake up and be alert.

Make Sunshine a Healthy Habit

Getting outside for a few minutes each day is one of the simplest healthy habits you can develop. Whether you take a morning walk, enjoy your coffee outdoors, work in the garden, or simply sit on your porch, regular exposure to natural light can support both physical and emotional well-being.

Sunshine, movement, fresh air, and time in nature often work together to help reduce stress and improve overall health. Every day, I either sit outside mid-afternoon or take a mile walk!

Health Benefits of  Sunshine

• Vitamin D: Your body produces vitamin D when your bare skin is exposed to the sun. The problem is that it’s difficult to get enough of the sunshine vitamin when you don’t have a lot of sunny days. Even when we do have sunny days, the time we spend outside and the frequency with which we wear sunscreen regularly impact it. Concerns about skin damage and skin cancer often lead many people to avoid the sun or wear sunscreen whenever they are outdoors. When sun exposure is limited due to location, season, lifestyle, or skin pigmentation, some people may benefit from discussing Vitamin D testing and supplementation with their healthcare provider.
• A serotonin boost: Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate your mood. Too little of it has been linked to anxiety, insomnia, obesity, and other health conditions. The right amount, however, can foster a feeling of well-being. Research has shown that the amount of serotonin in the brain has been shown to be in direct correlation with Vitamin D3 levels, which is another reason to consider a quality Vitamin D supplement if you aren’t getting enough sun each day. Interestingly, much of the body’s serotonin is produced in the gut, highlighting the connection between gut health, mood, and overall wellness.
• More energy: Exposure to sunlight in the morning can help keep your sleep-wake cycles regulated so that you sleep better, wake up easier, and have more energy during the day. So soak up some morning sunshine, even if it’s through a window! Studies show that sun exposure later in the day doesn’t seem to have the same effect, so open those shades or take a walk first thing in the morning.

Are you Getting Enough Sun Exposure?

Even if you get some amount of sensible sun exposure each day or each week, it may not be enough to reap the many health benefits of sunshine. People who live at latitudes above 37 degrees north or below 37 degrees south of the equator often don’t get enough UVB energy. The lack of this energy from the sun diminishes your ability to make all the vitamin D you need. Other people, due to their skin pigmentation and other factors, aren’t very good at making the amounts of vitamin D their bodies need. That’s a real problem because vitamin D deficiency also increases the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. Ask your physician whether you should be tested for Vitamin D deficiency. Also, ask whether a quality daily Vitamin D supplement would benefit you.

If you are interested in building a stronger foundation of healthy habits, grab a copy of The Healthy Habits Challenge or discover your own path to wellness with one of our programs or workshops.