What is Sunbathing?
Sunbathing, which is lying or sitting in the sun, sometimes with the intention of tanning, can have some health benefits if done correctly. Life on earth is
unimaginable without the sun. Natural light is essential for our health and well-being. Sunlight helps regulate our body’s natural rhythms, and not getting enough of it can affect our health in amazing ways.
Sun exposure, also called sun therapy, has been used since ancient times due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It can cure many skin ailments and can also help improve your mood. Here are some benefits of sun baths.
The Science Behind Sunbath Therapy
Sun therapy is a natural way to alleviate various health problems. Sunlight helps regulate the body’s production of melatonin, which is essential for
maintaining the body’s circadian rhythms. Melatonin is an essential hormone released by our brain’s pineal gland. This hormone regulates our sleep cycle. The Intensity of sunlight affects Melatonin production. It rises at night and falls during the day.
Sun therapy helps maintain hormonal levels and keeps disorders at bay. In addition, it has been found that a decrease in sunlight exposure can lead to physical and psychological disorders. Sunbathing does not mean that your skin will burn. All you have to do is expose yourself to sun rays in a healthy way. Depriving yourself of healthy exposure can also lead to vitamin D deficiency in the body.
Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Sunbathing
We often hear about the dangers of too much sun. While it is true that sunburns and skin cancer are a very real risk and that SPF is essential, there are also positive effects of sun exposure. When you give your skin access to a healthy dose of sunlight, you are likely to reap some tangible benefits immediately. Here are nine ways in which the sun can affect your mental and physical health.
1. Increased Vitamin D
Sun exposure helps the body make vitamin D naturally. This vitamin D is essential, but many people do not get enough of it. It can be difficult to get vitamin D from food alone. It is present in some fish and egg yolks but is mostly consumed through fortified products such as milk. Supplements are also available. Vitamin D promotes cell growth and lowers inflammation. The sun is the best natural source of vitamin D, and only 5-15 minutes of sunbathing with sunlights, a few times a week, is needed to notice a difference.
2. Stronger Bones
Low vitamin D is associated with diseases such as osteoporosis and rickets, and the most important benefit of vitamin D is that it strengthens bones and teeth.
For adults, 4,000 international units (or IUs) per day are recommended. While the amount of Calcium for bone health is also very important, getting so much sun helps your body absorb Calcium.
3. Higher Quality Sleep
Sunlight can help you get a good night’s sleep. The warmth of the sun helps regulate your circadian rhythm, and when the sun sets, your body begins to fall asleep reliably.
4.Reduced depression. 
Fewer symptoms of depression can be reported after spending time in the sun. Sunlight stimulates the brain to release the hormone serotonin, which can boost mood and promote calm emotions. Even if not facing depression symptoms, spending time in the sun can boost your mood.
5.Boosted immune system.
Vitamin D helps the body fight diseases including flu, muscle sclerosis, heart disease, cancers, and some autoimmune diseases.
6.Lowered preterm labor risk.
Vitamin D can prevent premature labor and birth-related infections.
7.Helps the skin
Sun rays have healing properties on the skin useful in treating skin diseases, such as acne, psoriasis, and eczema. Sunlight penetrates deep into the skin to clear blood vessels.
8.Improve the blood circulationÂ
Sunbathing helps to improve blood circulation in the body, and removes toxins from it.
9. Lower Blood Pressure
When sunlight hits your skin, your body releases something called nitric oxide into your bloodstream. This mixture lowers blood pressure and improves heart health. Maintaining healthy blood pressure can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke. Feelings of relaxation can also lower blood pressure naturally. Therefore, soaking up the rays and increasing your happiness, can also help keep your blood pressure down.
How long can you sunbathe?
Some dermatologists believe that, unless you are exposed to the complication of the sun, you can spend up to 20 minutes a day without sunscreen. This will vary depending on your equator, your skin’s normal response to the sun, and air quality. Poor air quality can block some UV light. Some research suggests that exposure to too much sun at the same time is more harmful than exposure to it over time.
Sunbathing tips and precautions
There are some ways to sunbathe safely.
- The first thing to keep in mind is that you should not sunbathe in extreme sunlight. In addition, as soon as you start sweating, you should stop and stay away from the sun’s rays.
- Wear 30+ SPFs lotion, and apply it 15 minutes before going out.
- Be sure to use SPF lotion on your hands, feet, and lips, as well as on the top of your head if it is not protected from hair.
- In addition to being dangerous, most tanning beds barely contain UVB light to encourage vitamin D production, so avoid tanning beds.
- Take breaks in the shade when too hot.
- Drink water if you are spending a lot of time in the sun.
- Eat tomatoes, which contain a large amount of lycopene. It has been shown to help prevent redness of the skin from UV rays.
The effects of too much sunbathing
Sunbathing is not without dangers. Too much time in the sun can cause sun rash, sometimes also called heat rash, which is red and itchy.
Sun exposure can also cause sunburn, which is painful, can cause blisters, and affect all parts of the body, even the lips. Sunburns can cause melanoma later in life. Polymorphic light burns (PMLE), also called sun poisoning, can be caused by too much time in the sun. It presents as red itchy spots on the breasts, legs, and arms. So stay safe and do it properly! This way you’ll reap the benefits without causing harm.