Sunlight's Role in Your Health

Light definitely plays a role in your health.  Many of the original natural health centers around the world had their patients get twenty minutes of sunshine on their bodies a day; helping to boost patients overall mood, sense of well being, and general health assisting in resetting their circadian rhythm.  

Of course, we all know that our bodies convert sunshine to vitamin D when we are functioning in a healthy state.   It is always best to get your nutrition from the source rather than a supplement if possible.   

Use your wisdom when gaining direct sunlight exposure.  Physical exposure to sunlight in certain areas of our planet may quickly lead to overexposure such as at  high altitudes or locations around the world where there is a known thinning of the atmosphere’s ozone layer.   

Within all things, use your wisdom to guide you. Twenty minutes of direct sunshine on your hands a day is a healthy place to start.   

Natural light affects your circadian rhythm which consists of behavioral, physical and mental changes occurring within a 24 hr period of time. This is how your body is attuned to the cycles of day and night, which plays a critical role in your health. 

A master clock that controls your circadian rhythms consists of a grouping of cells within the brain called the suprachiasmatic nucleus, or SCN. The SCN is located in the hypothalamus.  The SCN receives information from incoming light, as a feedback from the optic nerve which relays information to the brain. The SCN then triggers the release of melatonin which makes us sleepy, affecting our circadian rhythm.

The hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis is the main controller and feedback mechanism of your body, controlling hormones which relate to every conceivable body function. 

This has effects on our immune system, feeding and breeding, our ability to fight off disease, hunger and obesity, repertory rate, diabetes, blood pressure, depression, and mental faculties.  This rhythm controls our sleep wake cycle so it’s vitally important for brain function and body regulation. 

 Sleeping at night and being awake during the day would obviously be the best choice for promoting a healthier state.  The natural light which you would be exposed to during daylight hours contributes to a functional circadian rhythm which in turn would promote overall health and well being. 

If this is not possible for you to keep a schedule that allows you to be awake during the day do seek out a natural light system to use in the lighting in your home when you are awake.