Light Therapy, 20 minutes of Sunlight

Spending time in the sun is getting a bad rap. Of course over exposure without protection is not a smart thing, but over indulging in anything is detrimental to anyone's health and well being. But the truth is there are so many advantages to being exposed to the sun that can help people.

Light therapy is a up and coming alternative to emotional problems especially diagnosed depression. Spending as little as 10 to 15 minutes in the sun gives us our supply of vital vitamin D, for a full 24 hours.

Vitamin D deficiency has lead to rickets in children and osteoporosis in the elderly, and unlike other vitamins it is better for the body to have sun exposure to create this beneficial vitamin.

Light boxes are being used. They can be expensive and not really that necessary, if you spend a little time on your front step or even your back step with your face turned up to the sun.

Any amount of sun exposure is good but like many of us are realizing over exposure to sun whether real or artificial can cause skin damage and cancerous cells, like melanoma to form.

Yet there are links to sun and light therapy that contributes to the overall health of those who manage their time in the sunlight under ultraviolet rays.

Linked Benefits:

• emotional health, aid in helping with depression or blue moods, and anxiety
• sleep help, melatonin development which helps with going to sleep and dreaming
• natural vitamin D,
• increased metabolism, digestion, weight loss,
• cardiovascular help
• liver function, kidney elimination
• beauty

Ideas for light therapy and linking it to emotional problems became important when doctors noticed that they had an increase of patients with depression, especially in the winter. It was known as the winter depression, or winter blues, SAD.

This was noted to be caused by the insufficiency of sunlight exposure on the person's eyeball and registering on their brain.

Despite sunlight giving us vitamin D or a better appearance, it is being linked to many other internal issues that deal with bodily function and emotional well being.

Spend 10 to 20 minutes on the front porch or in the back yard.

So get out in the sun. Don't be solar 'phobic' or solar ' addictive', a happy median or middle ground creating balance leads to a lifestyle of fulfillment and well being. A holistic approach, some will say, but good for the mind, body and soul. Hallelujah! Simple and it's free!!!

Go for a walk out side, when the sun is shining but not necessarily at its highest. The morning and evening sun gives you enough without overheating or tanning the skin too quickly.

How to get the necessary sun:

• laying under the sun
• sitting outside
• walking for 20 minutes
• on the beach
• by the lake
• sunbathing
• lightbox
• lawn care or gardening

Make sure you have a timer or a clock handy. After the necessary minutes, go ahead and smear on some sun block, if not before.

Caution, People with little to no pigmentation called melanin, must be very careful about their exposure to sunlight. Those with pigmentation have a little more leeway but should never take using SPF protection for granted.

Reminder, we can all get darker, no matter what your race is, being exposed to the sun for any length of time will cause your skin to get some color, keeping a tan depends on your genetics. But no matter get some sun, it contributes to overall health and wellbeing.

Side note, watermelon is supposed to be a beneficial fruit when outside on a glorious sunny day, more than just juicy and cooling it has been linked to helping protect one from too much exposure to the sun, nourishing the skin through hydration and lycopene, an antioxidant which gives it, its red color.

What good news, watermelon and sun light, skin-tastic!!!