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Get a little sun in your life each day

Tropical Singapore may be sunny almost all year well. Yet many of us work indoors in air-conditioned comfort. We avoid the sun almost every day. Perhaps inspired by Korean idols with their fair, flawless skin, some would consider this a blessing. However, do you know that lack of sunlight has been linked to a myriad of health problems, including depression, sleeplessness and even some cancers?

If your daily schedule consists of heading straight to work in the morning and by the time work ends, it’s dark and you’ve had no sun in-between then think again. Here are some benefits of healthy sun exposure to make up your mind:

Prevents Depression

Sunlight prompts the brain to produce serotonin and endorphins, which will improve your mood. One of the best ways to start the day positively is to enjoy a jog in the morning sun to harness endorphins released from exercise and the sun!

Prevents insomnia

Exposure to sunlight informs your body that it is day time, guiding your biological clock to be programmed correctly. The sun also stimulates the pineal gland in the brain, which produces melatonin, helping you to sleep better and get a good night’s rest.

Breaks Down Toxins

Sunlight helps to break down wastes and toxins in your body, thus reducing the burden on your liver.

Improves skin health 

Sun exposure helps in the alleviation of skin conditions like mild acne, rashes, eczema and athlete’s foot. You also get a healthy glow!

Improves blood circulation 

Sun exposure increases white and red blood cell count, helping the blood to circulate more efficiently, relieving problems like aches, numbness and fatigue.

Produces the all-important Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps to regulate the immune system, which means you fall sick less  easily. It also increases calcium absorption which is crucial for healthy bones. Studies have linked Vitamin D to weight loss in obesity, preventing diabetes and even Alzheimer’s disease.

How to incorporate healthy sun exposure into your busy lifestyle

Ideally, you should spend at least 30 minutes in the sun, but take note of the time of the day. Certainly, you want to get healthy sun exposure without potentially increasing the incidence of skin cancer.

According to US-based Sun Safety Alliance, an organisation dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancer, UV rays are greatest when the sun is at its highest in the sky (between 10 am and 4 pm). So, if you are thinking of sunbathing, do it outside of this time. A good idea would be to incorporate it into your morning exercise routine, or take a short break from work and take a walk outdoors after 4pm. Allow yourself more opportunities to walk in the open while the sun is up by alighting a stop earlier, or walking to a bus stop further away. Try to wear clothes that allow as much skin exposure with the sun as possible.

Let’s look forward to a brighter year ahead!

– This article first appeared in a lifestyle magazine.