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Sunshine: The Benefits, Facts, and Quotes of the Sun's Rays
Sunshine is the visible part of solar radiation that reaches Earth's surface. It is essential for life on Earth, as it provides warmth, light, and energy for most living organisms. Sunshine also has many health benefits for humans, such as improving mood, lowering blood pressure, boosting vitamin D levels, and regulating sleep patterns. In addition, sunshine is a fascinating phenomenon that has inspired many facts, myths, legends, and quotes throughout history.
In this article, we will explore some of the benefits, facts, and quotes of sunshine that will make you appreciate this natural gift more.
sunshine
The Benefits of Sunshine
Sunshine and Vitamin D
One of the most important benefits of sunshine is that it helps the body produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is a hormone that regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the blood, which are essential for bone health. Vitamin D also supports the immune system and helps prevent diseases such as rickets in children, osteoporosis in adults, multiple sclerosis (MS), diabetes type 1, some forms of cancer (such as colon, breast, prostate), and depression.
The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays from sunlight. The amount of vitamin D produced depends on several factors such as skin color (darker skin produces less vitamin D), age (older people produce less vitamin D), time of day (midday sun produces more vitamin D), season (winter sun produces less vitamin D), latitude (higher latitudes receive less UVB rays), cloud cover (clouds block UVB rays), sunscreen use (sunscreen blocks UVB rays), clothing (clothing covers skin), and air pollution (pollution reduces UVB rays).
The recommended daily intake of vitamin D varies depending on age and health status. Generally speaking, adults need about 600 international units (IU) per day, while children need about 400 IU per day. However, some people may need more or less depending on their individual needs. A simple blood test can measure your vitamin D level.
To get enough vitamin D from sunlight, experts suggest exposing your arms and legs to direct sun for about 10 to 15 minutes per day during summer months or longer during winter months, depending on your location and skin type. You can also get vitamin D from foods such as fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms, and fortified products (milk, orange juice, cereals). Alternatively, you can take vitamin D supplements, but consult your doctor before doing so.
Sunshine and Blood Pressure
Another benefit of sunshine is that it lowers blood pressure. Blood pressure is the force of blood pushing against the walls of the arteries. High blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, and other health problems.
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Research has shown that sunlight can reduce blood pressure by releasing nitric oxide from the skin. Nitric oxide is a molecule that dilates the arteries, allowing more blood to flow through them. This lowers the pressure in the arteries and reduces the workload of the heart.
A study conducted by the University of Edinburgh in 2014 found that exposure to UV rays from sunlight lowered blood pressure by an average of 5 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) in healthy volunteers. This effect was independent of vitamin D production and lasted for at least an hour after sun exposure. The researchers estimated that a 5 mmHg reduction in blood pressure could reduce the risk of heart attack by 13% and stroke by 10%.
To lower your blood pressure with sunlight, you need to expose your skin to UV rays for about 20 minutes per day. However, you should also be careful not to overexpose yourself to sunlight, as this can cause sunburn, skin damage, and skin cancer. Always wear sunscreen with SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15 and cover your head, eyes, and lips with a hat, sunglasses, and lip balm.
Sunshine and Mood
Sunshine can also improve your mood and mental health. Sunshine boosts serotonin and endorphin levels in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that regulates mood, appetite, sleep, memory, and social behavior. Endorphins are hormones that act as natural painkillers and produce feelings of pleasure and well-being.
Studies have shown that sunlight can enhance mood and reduce depression and anxiety. For example, a study conducted by the Baker Heart Research Institute in Australia in 2008 found that exposure to bright light in the morning improved mood and alertness in healthy adults. Another study conducted by the University of Michigan in 2014 found that spending time outdoors in nature increased positive emotions and reduced negative emotions in college students.
Sunlight can also help treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs during winter months when daylight hours are shorter. SAD affects about 5% of Americans and is more common in women and people who live far from the equator. SAD symptoms include low mood, loss of interest, fatigue, weight gain, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts. SAD can be treated with light therapy, which involves exposing yourself to artificial bright light for about 30 minutes per day using a special device called a light box.
To improve your mood with sunlight, you need to expose yourself to natural or artificial bright light for at least 15 minutes per day, preferably in the morning. You can also spend time outdoors in nature, exercise regularly, eat healthy foods, socialize with friends and family, and seek professional help if you have severe or persistent depression or anxiety.
Sunshine and Sleep
Sunshine can also improve your sleep quality and duration. Sunshine regulates the circadian rhythm, which is the body's internal clock that tells you when to sleep and when to wake up. Sunshine influences melatonin production in the pineal gland. Melatonin is a hormone that induces sleepiness at night and alertness during the day.
Studies have shown that sunlight can help you fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and wake up more refreshed. For example, a study conducted by the University of Colorado Boulder in 2013 found that camping outdoors for a week reset the circadian rhythm of eight healthy adults to match the natural cycle of sunrise and sunset. The participants went to bed earlier, woke up earlier, and had higher levels of melatonin at night than before the camping trip.
Sunlight can also help prevent or treat insomnia (difficulty falling or staying asleep), jet lag (disruption of circadian rhythm due to travel across time zones), shift work disorder (disruption of circadian rhythm due to working at night or rotating shifts), and delayed sleep phase syndrome (disruption of circadian rhythm due to going to bed late and waking up late).
To improve your sleep with sunlight, you need to expose yourself to natural or artificial bright light for about 30 minutes per day, preferably in the morning. You can also avoid exposure to bright light at night, especially from electronic devices such as TV, computer, smartphone, and tablet. You can also keep a regular sleep schedule, avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine before bed, create a comfortable and dark sleeping environment, and relax before bed with activities such as reading, listening to music, or meditating.
The Facts about Sunshine
Sunshine and Seasons
Sunshine varies depending on the season of the year. The seasons are caused by the tilt of Earth's axis, which is about 23.5 degrees. This tilt makes different parts of Earth receive more or less sunlight throughout the year. The seasons are opposite in the northern and southern hemispheres