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Light therapy is a standard treatment for SAD and can be an effective alternative to sunlight. must limit their exposure to natural sunlight for other reasons.work in occupations that keep them indoors for extended periods.live in parts of the world where there is a significant difference across seasons in the available daylight hours.These interventions allow people to find other ways to access these health benefits, which is particularly important for people who: Medication and therapy can both be effective, and some interventions harness the health benefits of sunlight. Learn more about the health benefits of vitamin D here.īoth SAD and depression are treatable. increasing job satisfaction, when a person’s workplace has access to sunlight.promoting a sensation of well-being and improving mood.One of these is that exposure to UVB rays causes human skin to produce beta-endorphins, which are hormones that reduce pain. Learn more about the health benefits of sleep here.īeing in the sun generally makes people feel good, and there are many scientific reasons for this effect.
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Sunlight also supports better sleep and sets people’s circadian rhythms by regulating the levels of serotonin and melatonin. several forms of cancer, including colon, breast, and prostate cancer and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.They suggest that exposure to sunlight triggers the skin to release stores of nitrogen oxides, which cause arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure, and may reduce the impact of metabolic syndrome.Īccording to other research, increased sun exposure may also protect people from the following diseases: Researchers have noted a link between exposure to the sun and lower blood pressure levels, with reduced death rates from cardiovascular issues. supporting the immune system and glucose metabolism.Vitamin D is necessary for key biological processes to take place in the body. People can get vitamin D from their diet and supplements, but sunlight is an important source of this essential nutrient. When UVB rays hit human skin, they interact with the 7-DHC protein there to produce vitamin D3. Of all the health benefits of sunlight, initiating the process of producing vitamin D in the body may be the best known. Share on Pinterest Image credit: Jordan Siemens/Getty Images
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