Tuesday 31 May 2016

10 Things That Happen If You Are Not Getting Enough Sunlight

"A Day Without Sunshine Is like You Know Night"-Steve Martins


Sunlight has a lot of health benefits, from treating skin conditions, depression, fighting heart disease, as well as increasing the functionality of the brain. It is often advised that we should wear protective clothing, wear sun glasses, apply sunscreen or use an umbrella when going out in the sun to prevent the damage excess of it causes to your skin, but that doesn't mean that we shouldn't use some of it. The thing is early morning sunshine is a source of Vitamin D also known as "The Sunshine Vitamin". A bit of the days sun is actually good for you and not getting enough has some disadvantages which are stated below:

1. Poor Eye Health:

If you do not spend few minutes in the sun from time to time, you lack vitamin D vital for good eye health and could suffer from an age related eye disease known as Macular Degeneration that causes vision loss. Always remember to put on a pair of sunglasses to protect eyes from direct rays of the sun.

2. Body Aches:

Vitamin D gotten from the sun has anti-inflammatory which calms soreness. So not getting enough sunshine may lower your tendency of being relieved by aches and pains.

3. Vitamin D Deficiency:

If you do not get enough sunshine you may be suffering from vitamin D deficiency which according to researchers may lead to other major health issues such as cancers, heart disease, type 1 and 2 diabetes as well as cognitive issues in the elderly.

4. Weight Gain:

Lower serotonin levels as a result of inadequate sunshine intake by the body will lead to over eating and weight gain. This is because serotonin helps controls the crave of hunger. This is why people tend to gain more weight in the colder months and vice versa.

5. Low Immune Function:

Lack of Vitamin D from sunshine will mean a weak immune system because it's very essential for immune health. Without it the T Cells which are key defendants against infection can not function correctly.


6. Skin Conditions:

Inadequate sunlight can worsen skin conditions such as psoriasis,  eczema and acne. According to The Active Times, experts suggest that people with mild skin conditions may find relief if they expose affected areas in direct sunlight for a period of about 10 minutes being careful not to allow the sun to burn the skin. If exposure is going to exceed 10 minutes it is advised to use sunscreen.

7. Weaker Bones:

According to researchers exposure to sunlight helps fortify the bones due to the fact that Vitamin D enables the body to absorb calcium better. Lack of sunshine will lead to weaker bones,  easy fractures and breaks as well as bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia.

8 .Depression:

Because sunlight increases serotonin a hormone that helps balance mood and promotes happiness, lack of it will lead to depression and sadness.

9. Insomnia:

Lack of sunshine exposure during the day can affect night sleep. Sun helps keep the circadian rhythms on track and boosts levels of serotonin which helps you to fall asleep easily.

10. Increase Cancer risk:

In as much as skin cancer can be caused by exposure to sunlight for a long time, other types of cancer such as breastfeeding,  ovarian, colon, pancreatic, prostrate can develop due to inadequate sunlight. The reason why such cancer cases are higher in people living in higher attitudes than in lower attitudes.

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