The sun has great healing qualities which heal all kinds of illness and deliver radiant health.
W
e constantly hear about the need to protect ourselves from the sun. Paranoid about its dangers, we have shied away into the shadows, covering ourselves with sunblocks laden with toxic chemicals and known carcinogens.
We have become a generation deficient in Vitamin D, which is pivotal for bone health, the immune system. Through providing us with Vitamin D, sunlight plays a crucial role in fighting disease.
The sun also has many other great healing qualities and has been used for centuries in many cultures to heal all kinds of illness and deliver radiant health.
Here are 8 exciting benefits of moderate sun exposure (Update: We now have 2 additional benefits added)
1
Improves skin conditions
Sunlight has a beneficial effect on skin disorders, such as psoriasis, acne, eczema and fungal infections of the skin.
2
Sunlight builds our immune system
One type of white blood cell is known as T-lymphocytes, which are boosted by both blue light and UVA light. T-lymphocytes direct our body's immune response to infectious microorganisms and other foreign substances. As little as 5-10 minutes of sun exposure is all it takes to boost immune cell activity
3
Normalises blood Pressure
The sun's rays significantly lower blood pressure in individuals who suffer from hypertension.
4
Cleanses the blood and blood vessels
Sunlight is the ultimate detox! Even people with a condition called atherosclerosis (where the arteries become hardened) have shown significant improvement with sun exposure.
Vitamin D from sunlight is an essential factor in cancer prevention
5
Lowers cancer risks
Vitamin D from sunlight is an essential factor in cancer prevention. It activates the immune system to work against rogue cells and can normalise and correct cancer cells.
6
Lowers cholesterol
The sun converts high cholesterol in the blood into steroid hormones and the sex hormones we need for reproduction.
7
Increases blood oxygen levels
Sunlight increases the oxygen content in human blood. By boosting the body’s capacity to deliver oxygen to our tissues, moderate sun exposure has similar effects to exercise.
8
Increases happiness
Exposure to sunlight boosts serotonin levels in the brain. Sunlight is the most abundant and easiest to absorb anti-depressant you will find!
9
Sunlight destroys harmful bacteria
1903 Nobel Prize Winner, Niels Finsen used sunlight to heal wounds and disinfect the German soldiers after World War I.
Maintaining a regular circadian rhythm through sunlight therapy has shown reduced symptoms and improved mental well-being
10
Regulates the circadian rhythm
Sunlight sends the message to our brains that it’s time to get up by inhibiting the production of melatonin in the pineal gland. If we get adequate sunlight during the day, melatonin production will start up again when the sun goes down. This makes us feel sleepy and ready for a good, restful night. Maintaining a regular circadian rhythm through sunlight therapy has shown reduced symptoms and improved mental well-being in patients with Alzheimer’s Disease.
The key is to start slowly and build up your exposure to the sun over time, especially if you have fair skin! Getting sunburnt is not the idea, but moderate sun exposure is essential for all of us. So ditch the toxic chemicals in most sunscreens and start soaking up that Vitamin D (in moderation) today!