Benefits of sunshine

It’s spring!

(Pay no attention to yesterday’s random snowstorm.  It’s still spring!)



In case you need a reason to get out in the sunshine, here are some interesting facts about the benefits of soaking up some sun.

Sunlight fights stress by boosting seratonin levels.

It prompts your body to produce vitamin D, which helps prevents bone density loss, can help prevent some types of cancers, and may curb the incidence of type 2 diabetes.

Sounds good, right?  But what about skin cancer?

Robyn Lucas, a researcher with Australian National University, suggests that we may do more harm than good by recommending that people avoid the sun.  That being said, for fair-skinned people less than 15 minutes of unprotected summertime sun exposure per day is plenty to produce a healthy amount of vitamin D, with 15-20 minutes sufficing for dark-skinned people.  Be sure to get your daily 15 minutes in the sun and then lather up with some sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) if you will be out for longer.

Need some ideas for things to do outside?

Take a walk (bring the dog, the kids, the significant other, the neighbors…)

Plant and tend a garden (we have a seed library, after all!)


Ride a bike

Take a picnic to Dawes Arboretum

Workout at the outdoor gym at Rotary Park

Powerwash your house

Read a book

Mow the grass

Lawn games (croquet, frisbee, badminton)

Swing on the swings on the playground

Or, you know, just read that book 🙂


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