4 ways the sun influences us that you probably didn’t know

    There is an ancient saying that we believe in: the sun is new each day. With that in mind, there are probably a few things that you didn’t know about our sun:

The sun can relieve stress

     A sunny day may do more than just boost your mood – it may increase levels of a natural antidepressant in the brain. A new study shows that the brain produces more of the mood-lifting chemical serotonin on sunny days than on cloudy days.

     Researchers say the findings provide more evidence that lack of sunlight and reduced serotonin levels are important in the development of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This condition is actually a form of depression and it generally begins in the fall and continues through the winter.

The sun can help you build strong bones

     Sunlight’s best known benefit is how it boosts the body’s supply of vitamin D. Most deficiencies of vitamin D can be attributed to the lack of sun exposure. Vitamin D also triggers the absorption of calcium in the bones. However, it is not necessary to tan or get a sunburn in order to receive the proper amount of vitamin D that your body needs.

To Get More Sleep, Get More Sunlight

     It may be hard to believe, but sunlight affects our sleeping patterns. Our circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle based on light and darkness and influences our sleep-wake cycles. Our brains receive information from the incoming light which helps the brain turn on or turn off our internal clocks.

    If it’s darker outside, the brain makes more melatonin, a hormone that makes a person feel drowsy. Likewise, if it’s light out, the brain produces less melatonin.

    So, if you have any problems with sleep, you don’t need to take any pills, just spend more time outside in sun.

Sunlight and Moderation

     A person is more likely to get a sunburn outside when the sun’s rays more more direct. This usually takes place around 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t slather on sunscreen after 4 p.m., you should.

    Because excess sun exposure is linked with increased skin cancer risk, refrain from staying outside too long without sunscreen. Moreover, there are lots of methods to prevent sunburn.