The sun provides light and heat to Earth and contributes to the survival of life. Sun exposure may also provide many health benefits.
Why is the sun good for your body?
The benefits of the sun for humans include
the following
1- Strengthening the
immune system
Exposure to sunlight enhances the
production of white blood cells, which increases the health of the immune
system and reduces the possibility of harmful bacteria attacking the body and
causing it to develop many diseases.
2- Longevity
People with more early morning sunlight
exposure have been shown to live longer, healthier lives and can delay
menopause in women.
3- Strengthening bones
Exposure to sunlight in the morning
provides vitamin D, which strengthens bones and prevents osteoporosis.
This vitamin protects the body from
several diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and tooth decay.
4- Reducing weight gain
Sunlight reduces the body's levels of
cortisol, a hormone that causes appetite.
5- Improving sleep
quality
Exposure to sunlight increases the
secretion of the hormone melatonin in the body, which has a positive effect on
the psychological state and increases relaxation.
Exposure to sunlight also increases the
secretion of the hormone serotonin, which brings a feeling of well-being and
reduces the possibility of depression and psychological problems.
The negative effects of the sun on the
body
The sun can damage the body in the
following ways:
1- Increased risk to
eyesight
Many people do not realize how dangerous
sunlight is for eye health:
Cataracts: Cataracts, where the clear lens
of the eye becomes cloudy, causing blurred vision and darkening of the front of
the eye, can develop after prolonged exposure to harmful sunlight.
Macular degeneration: A disease caused by
damage to the retina, which can lead to poor vision and even loss of vision.
*Eye burns: Sunlight can affect the eyes
in the same way they affect the skin, causing burns and inflammation of the
cornea, also known as “snow blindness.”
2- Increased acne
scarring.
Sunlight may help hide acne for short
periods of time, but sun exposure at the wrong time or for long periods of time
can leave acne scars over time.
For acne, it is best to avoid sun exposure
as much as possible and use sunscreen and acne treatments.
3- The appearance of red spots and burns
on the body.
Direct exposure to the sun at noon without
using sunscreen causes red spots on the skin, unbearable burns, severe rashes,
and blood vessels that cannot be erased.
4- Sunstroke
Heatstroke is caused by prolonged exposure
to direct sunlight. It usually affects people who have to move around at work
during the day and can cause headaches and fainting spells.
It also causes fatigue and distress and
affects energy and mood.
5- Skin cancer
Sunlight accelerates skin aging and
reduces the skin's immune system, which increases the risk of skin cancer and
various cancers.
Conditions for exposure to sunlight
To benefit from the positive effects of
the sun on the body and avoid its risks, it is recommended to take into account
the following conditions
Use sunscreen: Use sunscreen: Choose the
appropriate sunscreen according to your age and skin type.
Wear sunglasses: Wear sunglasses: Also cut
98%-100% of the sun's rays through the eyes and avoid anything less than that.
Wear a hat: It is preferable to wear a
wide-brimmed hat to block as much sunlight as possible from the eyes and skin.
Avoid harmful sunlight: best between 10 am
and 4 pm.
Get kids used to wearing sunglasses:
Sunglasses aren't just for adults.
If you have any questions, please leave a comment