People need sunshine to function optimally. Being
outdoors in the sun builds strong bones, a stronger immune system, helps your
body regulate calcium, lowers your blood pressure, promotes clearer skin, and a
healthier brain. Vitamin sunshine is also known as vitamin D and is one
of those vitamins that is made by our bodies by being in the sunshine and in
contact with UVB radiation.
According to Scientific American, vitamin D protects our
neurons and reduces inflammation in the body. The data from recent studies show that those people with lower vitamin D levels showed slower information processing speed and lower cognitive functions. They went on to say: "Three-quarters of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in vitamin D..." Wow!
As writers we spend an enormous amount of time indoors
and in front of the computer. It’s basically an inactive lifestyle and not at
all healthy for us. Aside from losing tone and gaining pounds we don’t get
enough vitamin sunshine—or vitamin D.
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| Vladimir Volegov |
How to counter balance that deskbound lifestyle and
increase our productivity?
Get outside. Take a walk in the sunshine.
There are three immediate benefits. It will clear your mind when it’s feeling
sluggish, unable to concentrate, or feeling restless and slow. The second
benefit is a walk or run will give you needed exercise. The third benefit is
the sunlight will provide your body with much needed vitamin D.
Did you know that your body could produce vitamin D in as
little as 10-15 minutes (or up to 30 if you have a darker skin tone) in bright
sunlight? You need to be exposing at least 25% of your body. That’s a bit
harder to do in the winter.
How much sun is safe without suncreen?
Skin pigmentation affects how much radiation your skin absorbs. The darker the skin, the more it's protected against skin cancer but the less able it is to absorb UVB rays. It also depends upon how much skin is exposed and the time of day. If you're fair skinned and sunning yourself outside in a bathing suit at noon, you only need a few minutes without sunscreen. If you're already tan or of Hispanic origin, you need maybe 15 to 20 minutes (approximately twice a week) to produce the amount of vitamin D your body requires.
How much sun is safe without suncreen?
Skin pigmentation affects how much radiation your skin absorbs. The darker the skin, the more it's protected against skin cancer but the less able it is to absorb UVB rays. It also depends upon how much skin is exposed and the time of day. If you're fair skinned and sunning yourself outside in a bathing suit at noon, you only need a few minutes without sunscreen. If you're already tan or of Hispanic origin, you need maybe 15 to 20 minutes (approximately twice a week) to produce the amount of vitamin D your body requires.
Do carry your sunblock but allow your skin at least 10-15
without applying it as sunblocks interfere with allowing your skin to absorb
the needed UVBs. Rule of thumb: Getting half the amount of exposure that it takes for your skin to turn to pink. If you want a longer walk or run then by all means apply
sunscreen.
UV radiation doesn't penetrate glass. Sitting in front of
a closed window doesn't make vitamin D. Your best bet is to take a walk in the
noonday sunshine—especially in the winter when the sun’s rays are at too much
of an angle. This happens during the early and later part of the day and during
most of the day during the winter season. Midday gives the best angle to
produce vitamin D. Another option is a UVB light or UVB (high density UVA isn't recommended) tanning bed in the winter.
There are other ways to get, or supplement your
vitamin D but that’s another article.
