Benefits of Sunshine

A bright sunny day has a way of making you feel good no matter what your current circumstances. It is still important to protect the skin from the negative effects of UV light exposure, but you can also gain some health benefits from the sun. The sun has a positive effect on our mood, skin and health when you use it in moderation.

Cancer Prevention

Vitamin D production occurs when sunlight interacts with our skin, according to North Dakota State University. Vitamin D works together with calcium to build strong bones and maintain bone strength. It also has a preventative effect for some cancers including colon, breast, ovarian and prostate cancer. A deficiency in vitamin D is associated with these types of cancer, according to the Lighting Research Center.

Improve Sleep

The bright light from sunshine can also have a dramatic effect on the quality of our sleep, according to the Lighting Research Center. Sleep deprivation can cause a number of health problems, including an increased risk of heart attack, hypertension, depression, diabetes, obesity and stroke, according to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies. Sunshine may help to reset the internal clock that regulates sleep.

Improved sleep reduces fatigue during the day, increases alertness and helps productivity.

Seasonal Affective Disorder Treatment

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that occurs in patients when bright light and sunshine is limited, most often during the winter months, according to the Lighting Research Center. Sunshine is one treatment for the disorder that increases serotonin, melatonin and regulates the circadian system that affects sleep. Some patients with seasonal affective disorder are treated with light boxes that focus UV light on patients to relieve the symptoms of the condition. Bright sunlight can have the same effect on patients, according to the Lighting Research Center.

Treatment for Skin Conditions

Sunshine may be prescribed to treat some skin conditions such as acne, eczema and psoriasis, according to the McDougall Newsletter. Patients who use sunlight to treat skin conditions should use caution. Prolonged exposure to UV light from the sun is also linked to skin cancer and aging skin conditions such as wrinkles and age spots.