Keep the Sunlight Coming All Year Round
By Tom Herrin
A lot of the time, when we get to the time of the year in which we see the sun rise later and set earlier, some of us tend to close up our houses and stay indoors. While it may seem like the sound thing to do, it also may deprive us of some important elements we need to stay healthy. Sunlight is something that we can all benefit from, and there are few ways to replace it in our overall health picture. With only a little bit of planning, we can all get the sunlight we need to keep us healthy without going to any extra trouble.
Beef up Your Immunities
Most of us try to do whatever we can to strengthen our immune system. We all recognize the need to be able to fight off illness. It is often our best hope in light of the number of diseases that can get out of control. The Vitamin D we receive from the sun helps to fight several kinds of cancers such as those of the pancreas, lungs, and colon among others. It also helps to keep down inflammation and build strong bones. On another note, sunlight helps to activate T cells that are also important in building defenses against disease.
It May Increase Energy
When the light enters the eye, it triggers something in the brain that ramps up the metabolism. A prime example of this can be seen anytime we open a window in a room where someone is not up yet. It can help them to be wide awake in a matter of minutes. We can all benefit from this as the sunlight can make us much more productive.
The Sun Is Inexpensive Treatment
Most of us can gain some good things by getting more sun. On the other side of the coin, getting an insufficient amount of sunlight may have a negative reaction. For me, when I fail to get enough sunlight, I can easily get depressed and lose productivity. In more extreme situations, this is called SAD. or seasonal affective disorder. Mine is somewhat moderate, but I have to keep in mind that I need more natural light. Otherwise, I will be unable to function effectively. Once I make sure that I can see some blue sky or natural light, I am much better able to be more creative.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Redmond, Wash.