Get some vitamin D!
Now that it's springtime, we can all hope for some more sunshine. Luckily, if you live in Denver, sunlight will hopefully be even more abundant. Take a minute and think, are you getting enough sun? You may be spending more time indoors—even in the summer months. Or maybe your home doesn't have ideal natural lighting? Read on to find out how and why getting your sunlight intake is important.
The Best Way to Get Sunlight
Go out into the sun sometime between 11 a.m.–3 p.m. if you can. Go on a walk during your lunch break for optimal sunlight and vitamin D production. This time of day is typically when you'll be able to achieve the most vitamin D. Typically, it's advised to not spend longer than 30 minutes in the sunlight without sunscreen. Interestingly enough, however, sunscreen can actually block the ability to produce vitamin D. Balance is important in this case. Talk to your doctor about your skin type, and how they would recommend sun exposure for you.
What Is Sunlight Good For?
Sunlight is beneficial for many reasons. It can help to aid with things like sleep, productivity, and mental health. You may not realize it, but the sunshine is impactful to factors of our day-to-day lives. While it can be damaging if you are overexposed to it, practicing a safe amount of sunlight intake can actually be quite good for you. As mentioned, it's always important to speak with a medical professional to see what they recommend for you, as it can vary for individuals.
Sleep
Getting enough sunlight can be very helpful when it comes to sleep. Many people work indoors, oftentimes staring at a screen. This environment can make it more difficult to sleep. Natural sunlight is a great way to encourage healthy sleeping and to keep your circadian rhythm in check. If you have been noticing you have had trouble sleeping lately, take a moment to acknowledge your sunlight intake.
Productivity
Sunlight can actually help to increase your productivity. This is because sunlight is a useful ingredient in producing serotonin and vitamin D. Serotonin can energize us in order to focus and complete those checklists we all dread. Low serotonin, on the other hand, can cause us to be very tired and experience difficulties in completing tasks. Low vitamin D can also cause people to be more tired. If you need a boost of productive energy, try spending a few minutes in the sun.
Mental Health
Seasonal affective disorder can occur in the fall months when the sunlight is not as prominent. While vitamin D and serotonin help with productivity, they are also essential to mood. Low levels of both of these can cause depression and low self-esteem. Low serotonin can also cause mental illnesses such as OCD and social anxiety. While there are many valid ways to treat these things, a little sunshine may at least be able to alleviate them a bit.
The Debate on Sunlight Exposure
Even those in the medical field don't necessarily agree on how vitamin D should be taken. While some think it's best to get it from the sun, others who are focused on avoiding certain types of skin cancer say you can receive your vitamin D more appropriately through vitamins and certain foods. As previously mentioned, make sure that if you are outdoors for a long period of time, you use sunscreen.
Sunlight exposure has been shown to improve many aspects of our lives. It can also be very individualized based on skin type and other factors. Pay attention to your sunlight intake, because there's a chance it could be too low. Remember to keep balance in mind, and as always, talk to your doctor about how they'd recommend sun intake for you.
