Light from the sun is perhaps the single greatest gift for sustaining life on Earth. It is no coincidence that our bodies are incredibly sensitive and attuned to function in response to light exposure. However, with the introduction of artificial and electronic lights, and the increase in the amount of time spent indoors, many people are spending significantly less time soaking in natural light. There are even concerns that light from the sun is damaging to our eyes and skin when we are exposed to it for too long. However, that wisdom must be put into perspective: we still benefit from the light of the sun. So here I’d like to share some information on the benefits of sunlight exposure. 

First of all, direct sunlight exposure, and specifically UVB light, reacts in our skin to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D is an extremely important nutrient needed for daily processes in our bodies: it plays a role in insulin secretion, it helps our bodies absorb calcium, and is needed for bone growth and repair. Vitamin D is also essential for reducing inflammation and increasing immune function and neuromuscular connectivity!  

Although there are some foods that provide Vitamin D like fish, fish oil, and white button mushrooms, the next best source comes from the sun. Our skin, our liver, and kidneys can synthesize usable vitamin D from sunlight, from Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays specifically. Five to thirty minutes of sunlight during the day is associated with sufficient Vitamin D levels. You can probably still get Vitamin D even when applying sunscreen, but the higher the SPF rating, the less UVB light is getting to your skin. Light coming in from a window will reduce the UVB in the light as it comes in, so direct exposure is needed. 

Beyond the benefits of sunlight on our skin, exposure to light in our eyes is also a major contributor to our overall wellness, including our rest and mental health functioning. Light exposure in the morning contributes to the setting of our circadian rhythm. That rhythm is our internal clock which tracks the 24-hour cycle of day and night, wakefulness and sleepiness. There are many structures within our body responsible for keeping this rhythm, but the “central clock” is located in our brain called the SCN (Suprachiasmatic Nucleus), which is most directly impacted by our exposure to light.  

Sunlight, early in the morning, triggers the release of cortisol, a neurochemical essential for focus and attention. This triggers the brain to clear out adenosine which you can think of as the grogginess chemicals leftover from sleep. Early morning light exposure also sets the circadian rhythm on a path to release natural melatonin in our bodies about 16 hours later: the time we would naturally be going to sleep.  

Of course, it’s important not to stare at the sun directly or to overly expose our skin to the sun which can lead to skin damage. However, being outside for just ten to twenty minutes at the start of the day helps your body attune its rhythm to the earth and sun. That process persists as one of the most enduring blessings humans have ever received and still benefit from today. 

 

Here’s to your good health! 

 

It’s okay not to feel okay.  

 

If you or someone you know has been struggling with their emotions, behaviors, or substance use please reach out to us. We can help you find appropriate tools and services that could help you overcome obstacles in your life. We are here for you. Please contact the Southern Ute Behavioral Health Division at 970-563-5700 for more information or to set up an appointment to see a counselor or therapist.  

Reminder: If you need to talk to someone, please reach out. 

  And for those interested in opioid use education, harm reduction, and support, please contact us for quick Naloxone (Narcan) training and fentanyl test strips. We can schedule individual, family, or friends training times at our Southern Ute Behavioral Health Building, or we can come to you, and the training is around 30 minutes. Please call us at 970-563-5700 to set up a training appointment.