Anointedtoday.blogspot.com: Sunlight Helps Your Body

Did you know that the sun is a beautiful gift from God that plays an important role in our health and well-being?

Did You Know?

***Purpose***

1. A Few Statistics

Did you know that 50-60% of nursing homes and hospitalized patients are deficient in vitamin D? Also 47% of African American infants, and 56% of Caucasian infants are deficient as well. This is according to Healthline.com. they further added that low vitamin D levels have been linked to osteoporosis, Cancer, Depression, muscle weakness, and death.

2. Best Time to Get Vitamin D

Is there a best time to get Vitamin D from the Sun? There isn't a universal solution. It is recommended to get 10-15 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen each week but use sunscreen if you stay out longer. This is talked about at parade.com. Limit sun exposure to avoid harmful ultraviolet rays. I recall when I was employed attending a cultural workshop. One of the individuals shared that she was French-Canadian and she would burn very quickly in the sun whereas her husband who was Caucasian did not.

I had never considered the importance of the sun for vitamin D. I've never liked being in the sun. Knowing its value, I welcome sunlight. Michigan often goes days without sunlight.

3. What About Vitamin Supplements?

You may have a Vitamin D deficiency due to insufficient sun exposure. What then? You might consider Vitamin D supplements depending on the advice of your doctor. Did you know that there are vegetarian Vitamin D and non-Vegetarian Vitamin D? What is the difference? According to collagensei.com Vegetarian Vitamin D are plant-Based whereas the traditional D3 are animal derived from lanolin or fish oil.

4. The Importance of Vitamin D

Why is vitamin D so important to your body? Vitamin Dis important for healthy bones, nerve function support, helps to fight off disease, regulates your moods, reduces the risk of some chronic diseases, better weight management, and improve fatigue. Verywellhealth.com talks about this.

5. How is Your Circadian Rhythm?

Do you know how your circadian Rhythm is? What is Circadian Rhythm?

Your circadian rhythm is the name given to your body’s internal clock and the pattern is what your body follows based on a 24-hour day. Your body sets your circadian rhythm naturally, guided by your brain. Myclevelandclinic.org., talks about this and gives an example of when light enters your eye, cells send a message to your brain that it can stop producing melatonin (the hormone that helps you sleep.

6. Circadian Rhythm and Sunlight

Why is sunlight critical to your Circadian Rhythm? Have you heard of jet lag? Jet lag may occur after long flights across zones which your body has a difficult time adjusting to time zones because your body is not accustomed to it. According to sunglightinstitute.org, it disrupts your body's metabolism. They further add that sunlight can and should be the trigger that resets the circadian clock daily. Additionally, it may contribute to the prevention of serious illnesses.

Strangely enough when the yearly daylight time change is done my body still wants to stay at the same time. It takes awhile to adjust to that change. It usually takes several days for me. Think about that. How long does it take for your body to adjust?

7. Indoor Plants

I have observed that times when we have our shades slightly turned down some of my plants will start growing and reaching in between the shades to find the sunlight. When I rotate a plant, its leaves quickly adjust to face the sunlight. Plants know the importance of sunlight. That was a good lesson for me to learn.

I also have observed that my mood is so much better when there is sunlight. When traveling in our car to Atlanta or Florida I have observed especially during the winter months how bright and sunny the skis are in Atlanta and Florida. Then when traveling back to Michigan I see how dismal and dark the sky looks.

I recall flying to Las Vegas for a convention. My nose started dripping as soon as the plane entered Ohio, which I hadn't expected. My sinuses were flaring. While I was in Las Vegas I had no problems with my sinuses.

8. Sunlight vs. Artificial Lighting

What do you need to know? Sunlight is nature’s best reset button in that during the morning low blue light gradually rises telling the brain it is time to wake up, midday strong blue and full-spectrum light peak, boosts energy, evening blue light diminishes, red and infrared dominates preparing the body for rest and sleep, night darkness triggers melatonin and other hormones, supporting repair and sleep. Naturimedica.com also states that you should use artificial light wisely, limit screen time because artificial light can cause sleep disorders, chronic diseases, and immune dysfunctions. The key is to find balance. My balance may not be the same for you as everyone is different.

9. Sunlight and Your Blood Pressure

Can sunlight lower your blood pressure? One team found that getting sunlight may help lower blood pressure. Not getting enough sunlight may also be a risk factor for hypertension. Another study found that when sunlight touches your skin, a compound called nitric oxide is released into the blood vessels. This process can help bring blood pressure down and may ultimately lower the risks of heart attack and stroke.

Think about it. How much sunlight are you getting daily?

Source:

How to Safely Get Vitamin D From The Sun

Best Time To Get Vitamin D from the Sun, Dermatologist Says - Parade

Vegan Vitamin D3 vs D3: Which is Right for You?

What Happens to Your Body When You Take Vitamin D Regularly

Circadian Rhythm: What It Is, How It Works & What Affects It

» Circadian Rhythms and the Critical importance of Sunlight. How to get back in Sync! » Sunlight Institute

Artificial light vs sunlight: the hidden impact on your health

What Happens to Your Body When You Get Sunlight Every Day

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