A Little Dose Of Morning Sunshine Goes Beyond Boosting Vitamin D

In a fast-paced world where people rush to the office early in the morning, come home late, and return to work, catching those 10 minutes of morning sunlight has become a luxury. Something that should be natural and essential has gradually become difficult to enjoy, despite its surprising health benefits.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) remarks, “The best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply”. It added, “Most cases of vitamin D deficiency are due to lack of outdoor sun exposure.”

If you're a student, stay-at-home parent, or grandparent, take full advantage of this natural therapy. For those with jobs, the NIH emphasizes that even 10-15 minutes of daylight can significantly improve your health.

“For people in jobs in which sunlight exposure is limited, full-spectrum lighting may be helpful. Sunglasses may further limit the eyes’ access to full sunlight, thereby altering melatonin rhythms. Going shades-free in the daylight, even for just 10–15 minutes, could confer significant health benefits”, states NIH.

Benefits

Check out some surprising health benefits and the importance of getting that little dose of morning sunshine:

• One classic benefit of morning sunlight is that it boosts Vitamin D, which is vital for proper immune function, and bone health. NIH outlines, “Without sufficient vitamin D, bones will not form properly".
• Did you also know that morning sunlight can regulate your serotonin levels and melatonin rhythms resulting in improvements in mood, energy, and sleep quality? 
• According to research, a little reap of sun in the morning also helps in reducing anxiety and stress.
• Lastly, 5 to 10 minutes of morning sunbath can boost your immune system which results in warding infections and illnesses.

Caution

While you enjoy the luxury of morning sunrays it is also important to note the risk of too much exposure to sun-related health risks. 

NIH notes, “The first reports of an association between sun exposure and skin cancer began to surface in dermatology publications in the late nineteenth century. Nevertheless, it was not until the 1930s that the U.S. Public Health Service began issuing warnings about sun-related health risks. People were cautioned to avoid the midday summer sun, cover their heads in direct sunlight, and gradually increase the time of sun exposure from an initial 5–10 minutes per day to minimize the risk of sunburn.”

Remember that the best time for morning sunbath is between sunrise and around 9 am!

(The above content is not intended for medical purposes. Always consult your doctor if you have a serious medical condition.)