The Mental Health Benefits of Sunlight

We know the hazards of spending too much time in the sun—like skin cancer, sunburns, and premature aging—there are also many benefits of sun exposure.

From bone and immune health to depression and schizophrenia. The sun offers powerful restorative, protective, and healing effects.

Those warm, yellow rays help the body make vitamin D, an essential nutrient the body needs to function properly, and the body can't absorb or process calcium without it.

Vitamin D is essential for bone, heart, lung, dental, immune, nerve, and muscular health, as well as for optimal mental health. Deficiencies in vitamin D (and calcium) can cause serious conditions.

Also, those with lower levels of vitamin D may be at higher risk of a range of diseases such as cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, schizophrenia, and depression.

Strong connections have been found between deficiencies in vitamin D and the risk of various mental health disorders including, depression, schizophrenia, and eating disorders.

If you are heading out into the sun, make sure you protect yourself with sunscreen as many medications may cause you photosensitivity. Wear protective clothing also like a hat if you have it available.