Let the Sun Shine In

Getting outside and into nature sounds like a relatively easy and attractive thing to do. Yet once we have done everything necessary to protect ourselves from the bugs, the pollen, the poison ivy, the deer ticks, and oh, that most dangerous of all the elements, the sun, many of us would rather grab the TV remote and enjoy the nature channel. Why take the risk of actually going out of doors?

My guess is, if you are reading this magazine, you're probably not the type to run from the sun or park yourself on the couch out of fear. However, we've all been inundated with information about the risks of UV rays. And its true that excess sun exposure (the kind that burns you) is bad for your health.

In my view, though, we've been lead to fear the sun far too much. We're told that being in the sun at all will prematurely age our skin and maybe give us skin cancer. Sunscreen companies are making a bundle from our fears, and convincing us to slather ourselves in chemicals that are themselves potentially hazardous and not adequately studied.

What gets lost in translation -- at least for a lot of people -- is that a moderate amount of sun is vital for your well-being. And in my experience, people who spend time outdoors in the sun look a lot healthier than their sun-fearing counterparts.

I know Experience Life has a great article on the importance of balanced sun exposure in the July/August 2009 issue, so if you haven't read that, do.

The bottom line is that sun is good for us. Always was, always will be. We need the sun for everything. It is the source of life. Nothing would exist without it.

We probably don't even know yet all of the hidden benefits related to getting enough sun. One important benefit we do know about is vitamin D -- a critical nutrient we synthesize best from sunshine and that helps protect us from all kinds of diseases and health conditions.

But did you know that if you wash too soon after sunbathing the vitamin D does not get created?

It turns out that vitamin D is synthesized in the top layer of our skin that contains sebum, an oily, waxy substance that serves as the body's natural moisturizer. This is where the chemical reactions triggered by sunshine occur and make vitamin D.

But if you wash your skin with soap and water too soon after coming indoors, you wash off a lot of the sebum-containing vitamin D before it has a chance to be fully formed and absorbed by your body.

Some health experts (check out the video below from Dr. Mercola) say that it can take up to 48 hours for the vitamin-D producing reaction to be completed. So they recommend avoiding bathing for a day or so, or (perhaps more realistic) simply rinsing your arms, legs and torso with water during your showers rather than lathering your entire body up. (You can still use soap under your arms, in the groin area and wherever else you need to, of course).

Anyway, all of this means that being a little dirty and sweaty for a while after being outdoors is good for you, too!

And there's more: Did you know that when sun's rays hit your retina your body is stimulated to produce more melanin, therefore protecting you from sunburn? Consider taking those sunglasses off for a while when you're out there. Remember, your eyes are designed to adjust to light.

If you have had too much of the sun, you will know it. Trust your instincts. And remember, houses, hats and clothes are the safest sunblocks you can use -- much better than pouring chemical filled lotions on your skin.

My approach: I spend as much time outdoors as feels good, I wear a hat and sleeves if I feel I'm in danger of getting too much sun, and I leave the sunglasses and the sun block in my beach tote unless they are a must.

You can figure out the approach that's right for you. But do head out into the great outdoors and soak up some sunshine. It's our friend!