When was the last time you had a relaxing sun bath in winter? You are surely mistaken if you think sunbathing is a waste of time. Soaking sunlight is one of the most essential things that you can do in winter. Sunbathing refers to exposing one’s body to the sunlight, typically while sitting or lying in a calming position.
The main purpose of sunbathing is usually to achieve tanned skin or to enjoy relaxation and warmth simply. Basking in the sun’s warmth can help keep our bodies warm and improve our overall health. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of sunbathing and other precautions you need to take during soaking in the sunlight.
Top Benefits of Sun Bath in Winter
Soaking sunlight has several positive benefits. It is an amazing way to improve the Vitamin D production in our body. Increasing Vitamin D is quite difficult to achieve through diet. Along with this, there are some other benefits too. Keep on reading to know the other benefits of sun bath in winter as well.
- Mental Well-Being and Enhanced Mood: Sunbathing in winter can increase serotonin levels, which is also known as the “Happy Hormone.” this helps to reduce signs of depression, regulates mood, and improves overall mental well-being.
- Better Sleep Quality: Moderately soaking sunlight helps to produce melatonin hormone. Several studies have proven that getting an hour of sunlight during the first half of the day. It helps to improve sleep because sunlight controls your circadian rhythm.
- Helps To Manage Blood Pressure :According to PubMed Central, sunbathing in winter can help to manage hypertension. It can also be extremely useful for those with high blood pressure. It helps to activate the nitric oxide which stimulates the enlargement of the blood arteries that helps to enhance blood circulation.
- Improves Skin Health: Basking in sunlight during winter can improve several skin conditions, including eczema, psoriasis, and acne. Sun bath in winter help to reduce skin inflammation and stimulate the process of healing. Additionally, it boosts the production of Vitamin D, which is another beneficial vitamin for skin health.
- Boosts Immunity: Sun bath in winter can boost our immunity system’s function. Sun rays encourage the production of white blood cells (WBCs). WBC plays an essential role in fighting diseases, infections, and viruses.
- Enhances Bone Health: Soaking sufficient sunlight in winter ensures an adequate amount of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D has a vital role in bone health and calcium absorption. It also helps to lower the risk of osteoporosis and the possibility of fractures.
- Helps You Relax: Sunbathing in winter helps to relax in a calming way. Sitting for a few minutes in the sun during the winter season, your body’s muscles relax, making you feel relaxed and calm.
- Decreases The Chances of Getting Alzheimer’s: In a study issued in the Journal of the American Medical Association, it was stated that Alzheimer’s patients had fewer symptoms of forgetfulness and depression.
- Lowers Preterm Labour Risk: According to the National Institute of Health, pregnant women who soak more sunlight in their first trimester of pregnancy tend to have a low risk of pregnancy loss and preterm birth.
- 10. Works For Your Eyes Too: Vitamin D also plays a role in improving the eyesight. You don’t have to stare at the sun to enhance your vision. Just stand in the sun and soak for 10-15 minutes.
Drawbacks of Sun Bathing in Winter
Excessive exposure to sunlight can bring a lot of problems, including:
- Skin Rash: Spending too much time in the sun can make your skin itchy and red, leading to skin rashes.
- Melanoma: A kind of skin cancer that forms in the melanocytes of the skin.
- Sun Poisoning: Taking excessive sun bath in winter without taking precautions can result in skin poisoning. It is characterized by skin peeling, redness, and itching.
- Sunburn: Sunburn refers to painful, red, and swollen skin. It is caused by overexposure to UV rays from the sunlight.
Precautions and Tips for Sun Bathing in Winter
There are several ways to sunbath in winter, including
- Wear SPF 30 or more. Apply it before stepping outside. Make sure to cover your body with at least a full ounce of sunscreen.
- Avoid tanning beds because they are dangerous, and most barely contain UVB light to boost Vitamin D production.
- Remember to take breaks in the shade when you get hot.
- Eat tomatoes because it contains lycopene. Research has found that lycopene helps to prevent skin redness from harmful UV rays.
- Drink enough water if you plan to sunbath in winter for a longer time.
Alternatives of Sun Bathing
Sunbathing in winter is one way for your body to absorb the benefits of the sun. however, it is not the only way out there. If you don’t have time or are not a sunbathing person, you can opt for the alternatives mentioned below, including:
- Do workout outside
- Go for a 30-minute walk
- Try to eat meals outside
- Keep the windows open while you are driving
- Take Vitamin D supplements
- Eat Vitamin D rich foods
- Park farther from your workplace and walk
- Buy a UV lamp
In a Nutshell
Several studies have proven that sun bath in winter have ample benefits. Moderate exposure to sunlight helps Vitamin D production, improves sleep, boosts mood, and many more. However, some precautions need to be taken while basking in sunlight. Unprotected sunbathing can result in sunburns, rashes, and higher chances of developing melanoma.
FAQs
Yes, You can take a Sun bath in winter has many benefits, including mental well-being, better sleep quality, managing blood pressure, boosting immunity, and more.
Yes, it’s good to get sunlight in winter. Basking in sunlight gives a major amount of Vitamin D into our body, resulting in so many benefits.
Overexposure to sunlight has many risks of skin damage and sunburn, even on cloudy and cold days.
Yes, it is good to sit in the sun during the cold because the ultraviolet rays can destroy cold viruses.
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