subject: Can sunshine make you happy? [print this page] Can sunshine make you happy? Can sunshine make you happy?
How many of you got your families or friends together and ventured out into the sunshine this weekend? I did! Me and my two boys got our trainers on and went to the local park to feed the ducks and play football. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and it really felt like Spring had sprung. We had a lovely day and went home feeling happy and refreshed.
But does sunshine really make you happy, and if so why? UVB sunlight is the most effective, most reliable, most abundant (although not so much in England!) and most natural source of Vitamin D. Vitamin D sufficiency, along with diet and exercise, has emerged as one of the most important preventive factors in human health. Hundreds of studies now link vitamin D deficiency with significantly higher rates of many forms of cancer as well as heart disease osteoporosis multiple sclerosis and many other conditions and diseases.
Humans make 90 percent of our vitamin D naturally from sunlight exposure to our skin specifically, from ultraviolet B exposure to the skin, which naturally initiates the conversion of cholesterol in the skin to vitamin D3
There are few foods which naturally contain vitamin D; however, skin's exposure to the sun makes thousands of units of vitamin D naturally in a relatively short period of time.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), also known as winter depression or winter blues is a mood disorder in which people experience depressive symptoms in the Winter. Symptoms of SAD may consist of difficulty waking up in the morning, morning sickness, tendency to oversleep as well as to over eat, and especially a craving for carbohydrates, which leads to weight gain. Other symptoms include a lack of energy, difficulty concentrating on completing tasks, and withdrawal from friends, family, and social activities. All of this leads to the depression. Whilst overexposure to the sun carries risks; premature skin aging, pigmentation (sunspots, dark spots) and in extreme cases skin cancer, you can safely use the skin to improve your mood.
As with most things in life, moderation is the key. "Aim for approximately 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure three times a week to benefit from Vitamin D production" USA TODAY. Then protect your skin with an effective sunscreen; we recommend Heliocare. Heliocare Oral Capsules are the first oral photoprotectant with not only clinically but also microscopically proven action against UV-induced damage.
Heliocare works to increase tolerance to the sun, reduce skin changes after chronic exposure to the sun, maintain skins elasticity. Heliocare also provides cell protection in the epidermis and protects skin cell DNA. Taken orally, they are effectice within the first half an hour.
Heliocare:
Inhibits formation of sunburn cells
Protects collagen by inhibiting the formation of MMPs
Protects DNA by inhibiting the formation of dimers
Antioxidant and immune response effects
One other tip next time you head out in the spring sunshine: don't forget your sunglasses! Squinting in the sun can cause fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area.
