There’s nothing we enjoy more than walking in the sunshine, and not just because the warmth feels good on our skin. Sunshine has plenty of health benefits, and with the proper safe sun protection, walking is a great way to soak in the sun. Here are nine of our favorite reasons to savor the sunshine:
Produce more Vitamin D. This one probably isn’t a surprise. Vitamin D is naturally produced by exposure to sunlight and has countless benefits, including fighting disease and reducing depression. Studies show it can lower your risk of multiple sclerosis, decrease your chance of developing heart disease and even reduce your likelihood of developing the flu.
Improve your mood. It’s not just an old-wives tale that sunshine makes you happy, there’s science behind it, too. Sunlight increases the levels of serotonin in the brain, which is the feel-good hormone that’s linked to mood.
Prevent obesity. One recent study had fascinating results -- light-sensitive proteins on your fat cells can detect sunlight, and too little natural light can alter how these fat cells behave. The result? Higher sunlight exposure may suppress your appetite, helping to prevent obesity.
Help clear skin conditions. Exposure to the sun can help clear up itchy skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema.
Decrease your risk of autoimmune disease. Studies show that increased exposure to sunlight can help reduce the development and severity of arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, multiple sclerosis and even asthma.
Get more restful sleep. Your exposure to sunlight through the day impacts how much melatonin is produced in your brain. Melatonin is a natural chemical that regulates your circadian rhythms and helps lull you to sleep at the end of the day.
Lower your blood pressure. When your skin absorbs sunlight, nitric oxide is released into your blood, which can lower blood pressure and improve heart health.
Improve your cognitive function. Sunlight has been found to improve attention, inhibition, flexibility and working memory, especially in women.
Live longer. One study of women in Sweden found that those who avoided the sun had a higher mortality twice as high as those that had regular or moderate sun exposure.
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