By Lori Suzanne Holetz
“Sun is shining, the weather is sweet, yeah
Make you wanna move your dancing feet now” ~ Bob Marley
Summer is here and we all know the wonderful feeling of lightheartedness after being outside on a beautiful sunshiny day. There is an exhilaration after spending some time at the beach where everything is bathed in sunshine, and we are bombarded with negative ocean ions. Everything, absolutely everything NEEDS the sun in order to thrive! However, humans are the only species on the planet that now believes the sun is bad for us. Nothing could be further from the truth. Yet we are sold on the need to slather on all kinds of dangerous chemicals to block these precious rays from touching us… and don’t forget those designer sunglasses that will ultimately weaken and create vulnerability with our eyes.
There are some important rules that need to be applied when enjoying that daily dose of brilliant light…. The Father, the SUN, that Holy Spirit!
The Sun is nature’s most important signal and the main mechanism that helps our bodies keep track of time, and it largely shapes our circadian rhythm (the natural internal sleep/wake cycle, responding to and regulated by the environment every 24 hours). And this triggers the release of endorphins, endocannabinoids, estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and melatonin; all part of the signaling that modulates metabolism, immunity, and physiology in general. Low levels of these critical inherent hormones and chemical processes are what lead to dis-ease like melanomas.
Sunlight floods us with two major types of wavelengths, UVA and UVB. UVA is the waxing sun from sunrise to 10 a.m., and again after 4 p.m. until sunset and produces red and infrared light. UVB is the midday sun, much stronger and intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and produces ultraviolet light, which is our main source of Vitamin D. UVA sunlight penetrates the skin more deeply, where UVB are shorter wavelengths that darken the skin, produce vitamin D, but can ultimately cause a burn with too long an exposure. UVA has been shown to lower blood pressure, increases blood flow and increases heart rate in healthy humans. The magnitude of these effects was sufficient to be of cardiovascular benefit and possibly to reduce the risk of stroke.
The key is not to avoid the sun, but to work with it smartly. In his article titled Sunlight Cures, Fake Light Kills, Dr. Leland Stillman cites the body’s need for Vitamin D and production of melatonin as necessary in the prevention of and protection from melanomas. He further states that “Low Vitamin D levels are strongly associated with an increased risk of developing melanomas.” Furthermore, he says “the paradox of melanoma is that they often occur in skin that never sees the sun.” Additionally, Dr. Stillman references one study that found “Sun exposure is associated with increased survival from melanomas. Persons who used sunscreens did not have a decreased risk of malignant melanoma. Instead, a significantly elevated odds ratio for developing malignant melanoma after regular sunscreen use was found. Those who used sunscreen increased their risk of melanoma. What we are sure of is that we are not sure if anyone should be using sunscreen.” A more traditional means of limiting overexposure to the sun such as wearing a hat and adequate clothing, and the avoidance of prolonged sunbathing may be more effective than the reliance on chemical sunscreens.
As far as those sunglasses go….. Researchers found that those with higher sunlight exposure during the day had significantly higher levels of macular pigment, which prevents age-related vision loss. Exposure to sunlight is a key factor behind good eye health.
In conclusion, research data remains unclear, but it has been found that less sun equals more disease. A smart relationship with sunshine includes brief times of exposure of both UVA and UVB sunlight, minus the sunscreen and sunglasses. Extended exposure should include the use of a hat and appropriate clothing coverage and above all else, avoidance of sunburn. It is also known that the Covid virus does not like sunshine.
So get out there in the beautiful bright light, soak up a bit of sunshine with sensibility and enjoy that incredible lightness of being…. enlightened, sunny side up!
