I LOVE Colorado!! Just went outside for a visit with my girls (Pumpkin and Cookie), in my jammies and t-shirt! And it was only 40 degrees!

There is way too much hype about avoiding the sun. The truth is, sunshine is imperative for our brain and immune health!

Sunshine in the morning helps the metabolism and brain chemistry to kick into gear for the day. It can re-balance your sleep cycle when you stand in a window and look out into the lit up world for about 10 minutes. This tells your brain it is time to wake up, therefore making it easier to rise earlier and possibly fall asleep better, too!

Daylight is essential for your metabolic health, so step outside for a jog or walk first thing in the a.m. In fact, people who soak up the most sunlight early in the day have a lower body mass index (BMI) compared to those who are out in the sun later in the day. Northwestern University researchers speculate that early morning sunlight may help regulate your circadian rhythm, which controls countless functions in your body including how well you sleep, how much food you consume, and how much energy you burn—all essential components of a healthy metabolic rate (8 Surprising Ways You’re Slowing Your Metabolism, Prevention.com, November 2014).

Sunshine contains a powerful pack of healing rays and vitamins, including vitamin D.

A robust and growing body of research clearly shows that vitamin D is absolutely critical for good health and disease prevention. Vitamin D affects your DNA through vitamin D receptors (VDRs), which bind to specific locations of the human genome. Scientists have identified nearly 3,000 genes that are influenced by vitamin D levels, and vitamin D receptors have been found throughout the human body (How Much Sunshine Does it Take to Make Enough Vitamin D?, Mercola.com, October 2009).

Lack of sunshine can lower your levels of D vitamins, immunity, brain function and raises your risk for cancer. Vitamin D deficiencies are found in people with immune and inflammatory disorders, cancer, Autism, ADD and more. Sunshine is the best way to get vitamin D. If it is not possible, taking a high quality supplement of D3 is best way to absorb and assimilate this precious vitamin.

Using sunglasses blocks the rays from getting into the pineal gland and sunscreen not only has toxic chemicals, but blocks the production of D vitamins. In fact, there is a lot of data about sunscreen actually causing vitamin D deficiencies and many other secondary health issues.

Following the advise of health officials to slather on sunscreen may increase your melanoma risk instead of decreasing it, which is certainly not what you want. Indeed, you never want to let yourself burn. However, if you practice safe sunning, you will avail yourself of all of the sun’s health benefits with none of the risk (Sensible Sun Exposure Can Help Prevent Melanoma, Breast Cancer and Hundreds of Other Health Problems, Mercola.com, July 01, 2013).

But make sure you practice safe doses of sunshine! Don’t burn and never look directly into the sun! If I am going to be outside for a long period of time, I use a natural, chemical free, mineral based sun block to avoid getting burned. If you take medicine or have a condition in which you are supposed to avoid the sunshine, please talk to your doctor!

Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. Check with your doctor before changing any health regiment.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

Sensible Sun Exposure Can Help Prevent Melanoma, Breast Cancer and Hundreds of Other Health Problems 

Does Sunshine Actually Decrease Dangerous Melanoma Skin Cancers?

Blue Light and Sunshine May be the Next Gen Weapons Against Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

How Much Sunshine Does it Take to Make Enough Vitamin D? Perhaps More Than You Think!

Sunshine: The Newest Natural Weapon Against Asthma

Lack of Sunshine Vitamin Linked to Cognitive Decline