The Sun as a Nutrient

Who would’ve thought that the sun, something so natural and a part of our daily life, is actually good for us? I wouldn’t have considered this a big deal except that I have lived on Kodiak Island, Alaska for four years and know what sun deficiency feels like. What it is like to NOT see the sun for up to a week. It is one of the worst things ever. Period. It is mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually draining. Seeing the sun every day is something I will never take for granted now. Somedays seeing a sunrise raises enough emotions to bring me to joy-filled tears. Let me explain why. 

Our bodies’ circadian rhythms are tuned into the Earth’s natural cyclical rhythm, which includes the daily sunrise and sunset. Letting the sunshine hit your eyes in the morning helps regulate your melatonin circadian rhythm. Similarly, when sunlight hits your body it triggers the body’s natural production of vitamin D. The body needs sufficient sleep, vitamins, and minerals to stay in balance and these are key components the sun helps regulate. 

5 Benefits of Sun Exposure

1. Vitamin D Production

When sunlight’s ultraviolet B radiation interacts with the compound 7-dehydrocholesterol in the epidermis layer of the skin it triggers the production of vitamin D3 which is essential for immune function, brain cell function, and bone and muscle health.

2. Imuunity Boosting 

Vitamin D produced in the body through exposure to sunlight helps the body stay strong and immune to various debilitating diseases and cancers. It acts as a natural preventative medicine. 

3. Mood Improving

Sunlight stimulates the release of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone/neurotransmitter. Regular sunlight exposure helps regulate your mood allowing you to be more focused, calm, and emotionally stable. 

4. Strengthen Bones

With the presence of vitamin D through sunlight exposure, calcium and phosphorus absorption in the body is made easier. This allows bones to become and remain strong in the body and repair quickly and fully when needed. 

5. Sleep regulation

Regular sunlight exposure to the sunrise, specifically directly to the eyes, helps set your melatonin circadian rhythm to the correct time. The sunlight signals the body to be prepared for awakening just as darkness triggers melatonin at the end of the day helping you fall asleep. This is why it is also important to reduce light exposure before bed, especially blue light which suppresses melatonin release. 

Conclusion & Other Resources

The sun is a beautiful essential part of nature that is a part of our daily lives, but not an important part to many of us. Exposure to nature has always been essential for humanity’s well-being but is being forgotten. Let’s bring it back as a morning ritual to slow down, step outside, and enjoy the sunrise. As always I encourage you to further your research on this controversial topic and try implementing sun exposure for yourself! Happy sunning!

Written By: Jessica