Why You Need The Sun This Summer
When I think back to summers as a kid, those memories are filled with sunlight and time spent outdoors. And, sunshine sometimes got a bad rap.
You might have grown up hearing that sunlight was bad for you, then you were lathered down in sunscreen before you could even think about going outside in the summer. My mom was an oncology nurse, so you know I was given that heavy-duty 50+ SPF.
As adults, many of us don't get outside that much. We spend most of our days indoors, working at our desks, and taking breaks in the break-room, in our cars or at a picnic table next to asphalt.
We miss so many of the joys of sunshine, and so many of its benefits, when we don't make time for it. Embracing the sunshine, especially this summer when it's abundant, can be so good for you:
Getting just a few minutes of sunshine first thing can help wake up your body! With electricity, streaming services and the internet, we have the ability to stay awake later and work longer hours. While that's great for things like staying up to read a good book, it's been detrimental to other things—namely, your circadian rhythm.
Taking yourself outside first thing in the morning can help wake up your body, which can also make it easier to wind down and go to sleep at night. This helps your body move more like how it was meant to with the sun's cycle.
And, you don't need to be out there for long. Just 5–15 minutes in the sun can get you going for the day, and you don't even need sunscreen for that small amount of time! So, grab your water, coffee or matcha, and head outside in the A.M.
Sun exposure can help reduce stress. Sunlight exposure is our #1 source for Vitamin D, which helps with a host of bodily functions. Since sunlight in the morning can help regulate your circadian rhythm, this means you're probably sleeping at more regular times and resting better—which can also lead to a more stable mood and less stress.
A 2013 study also suggests that sunlight could be linked to serotonin, which is the chemical in your brain that boosts your mood. (Exercise can also produce this essential chemical.) Serotonin is also responsible for helping with digestion, stress, sleep and more.
Enjoying time outside can help you connect with the children in your life. Most kids are out of school for the summer, and this is the perfect time to reconnect and build sweet memories with them. While they might complain about being bored or tired of the heat, they don’t need more screen time or stuffy indoor air.
Use this summer as your opportunity to build a love for the outdoors (and sunshine!) in yourself and the kids in your life, whether it’s your own kids, grandkids, nieces and nephews, or your best friend’s children.
You can suggest activities for kids to do—pool day, playing with sidewalk chalk, going on a nature walk or scavenger hunt. Or you can send them outdoors and let their imaginations take over.
You can also make an outdoor time tracker (like the 1,000 Hours Outside project). As kids mark off their hours outside each day, they’ll see progress and feel a sense of accomplishment—no homework needed!
Vitamin D, which your body produces when exposed to sunlight, supports bone health. According to the National Institute on Aging, one in five women over 50 are affected by osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and increases their break-ability.
Both Vitamin D and weight-bearing exercise (ahem—walking and strength training) can help reduce your risk of osteoporosis and other bone and muscle-related issues. As you think about having children, pursuing a physical fitness goal, going through menopause, or even the potential for an injury, supporting your bones and muscles now can be crucial in recovering well later.
While sunshine won’t fix all of life’s problems, it can lighten the load. Get outside and embrace the sunlight this summer, and let us know how you’re enjoying it!
Join us in enjoying this sunshine at our Sweeter than Honey Retreat this summer! This all-inclusive, four-day retreat is designed to help you reconnect with yourself and the Lord. We’ll spend lots of time relaxing, learning, and enjoying the outdoors.