Sunshine is a gift which is beneficial to all forms of life on earth. Plants, animals and even non-living things benefit from it. It is one of the richest sources of nutrients for plants to flourish. We owe our lives partly to plants because they are one of our main sources of food and medicine. This makes us an indirect beneficiary of sunshine.
But we are also directly benefited by sunshine because it helps to keep us healthy. Here are some of the most common health benefits of sunshine.
1. It helps to fight depression.
According to medical research, sunlight is a natural mood enhancer. If you suffer from depression, try to go out each morning to get some sunshine and fresh air. This might work to alleviate the symptoms.
2. It helps to prevent cancer.
When sunshine interacts with the skin, vitamin D is produced.
Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption to make your teeth and bones healthy. It also helps to prevent the development of various types of cancer such as prostate, ovarian, colon, lung and breast cancers.
Recent studies also show that vitamin D deficiency contributes to these types of cancer.
3. It helps to improve sleep.
Sunshine can help to regulate our body clocks which are responsible for controlling our sleep patterns and the quality of sleep we get.
Sleep is an important aspect of health, and the lack or deprivation of it can lead to health issues such as depression, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and stroke.
4. It helps to skin problems.
Herbalists recommend sunshine for treating skin problems like eczema, acne and psoriasis. Another benefit of sunshine to the skin is its ability to prevent skin cancer – when taken in moderation. But you should also remember not to get too much exposure to sunlight as it can be harmful.
4. It helps to treat seasonal affective disorder.
Sunshine has the ability to fight and cure seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression which affects people with limited exposure to sunshine. This disorder usually happens during winter. Sunshine can help to treat this disorder because it increases the body’s production of melatonin and serotonin. These are essential neurotransmitters which play distinct roles in regulating mood and health.
