You know those days at the beach or in the sun, where you get significant sun exposure but you don’t burn? Somehow your body looks tighter, your muscles feel more vascular, and there’s a vitality that’s difficult to explain.
The research says a healthy dose of sun is great for you.
Sun exposure that is significant (but doesn’t cause a burn) has a cascade of positive effects. For example, cortisol timing and regulation improves. Cortisol is our stress hormone, so you’ll feel better. Serotonin signaling improves, which also helps with mood. Your melatonin rhythms improve, so you sleep great.
But, it doesn’t stop there.
Immune cell activity improves and inflammatory markers can even go down (as long as you don’t get a burn). Blood pressure decreases and nitric oxide metabolites increase and, obviously, Vitamin D increases, which improves a number of bodily functions from testosterone levels to mood.
Now, if only you could find a gym where you can also get a sun tan…
