It is summer once again, the best time of the year to have fun in the sun. Go out and enjoy the sunshine. Sunbathe, swim, play tennis and do other fun activities while outdoors.
Basking in the sun is not only a pleasurable experience; it is also healthy for you. Did you know that a recent study by researchers from the University of California has shown that getting regular exposure to sunlight is good for your health? Spending relatively short intervals of time in the sun daily helps your body to produce optimal levels of vitamin D, which can reduce your risk of colon and breast cancer.
Optimal Sun Exposure Is Beneficial for Your Health
The sun’s UV rays are responsible for the production of Vitamin D in your skin. Also known as the sunshine vitamin, Vitamin D has major health benefits. Aside from preventing certain cancers, it protects your body from many kinds of diseases, such as diabetes, osteoporosis, heart disease and tuberculosis.
Overexposure Can Cause Skin Damage and Sunburn
While adequate exposure to the sun improves your health, overexposure to it poses certain risks. It can lead to sunburn, the inflammation of your skin that results from excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun. Sunburn is characterized by initial redness, pain, itching and fever. It also increases your risk of skin cancers like basal-cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Recommendations on How to Prevent Sunburn
That is why it is important to take caution when you are out in the sun. Take care of your skin at all times. To prevent sunburn, Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading nutrition expert, recommends that you follow these tips when you’re out tanning or playing in the sun:
- Limit your exposure to 10 to 15 minutes at the beginning of the season. This duration is usually the minimal dose required to produce a pinkish color and stimulate Vitamin D production.
- Gradually increase your time in the sun to to get that glowing, tanned skin. If you do this, you will be able to have normal sun exposure in the next few weeks with little danger of incurring skin cancer.
- Use common sense. Never ever fall asleep when you’re tanning or else end up with first- or second-degree burns.
Get the most of your summer by spending your time in the sun. This is a great way of getting that essential vitamin D. However, just be careful not to overdo it. Make sure to protect yourself from sunburn and skin damage that will not only endanger your health but also ruin your chances for more delightful adventures outside for the rest of the season.
