By Anthony Lester - Amazing Facts

inter is in full swing, and that means less
time in the sun for most of us. And though in
the summer months we’re slathering on sunscreen,
ducking under a hat, or suffocating under long-sleeve
shirts to dodge the sun’s potentially dangerous ultraviolet
rays, the right amount of sunlight is actually very
good for you!
The sun affects many of the body’s most vital systems.
Here are just some of the amazing benefits of
our solar system’s brightest companion.
It’s true; sunlight is God’s special treatment for
the blues. It increases the production of serotonin, a
natural mood-elevating hormone. It also suppresses
melatonin, which is believed to contribute to SAD—
that is, seasonal affective disorder, which is a depression
that occurs most often in the winter months.
Because serotonin increases in sunlight, you’re
less likely to abandon your diet and take in mood-altering
foods, such as those loaded with sugars and other
carbohydrates. It’s not just the holiday
feeding season that causes
many to gain weight over the winter,
but also a reliance on comfort
foods because serotonin levels fall.
The sun makes up 99.8 percent
of the mass of our solar system,
and it’s one of the biggest
stars in the galaxy
(in the top 10 percent)!
It’s so big that a million earths could easily fit
inside it. It also generates 386 billion billion
megawatts every second, but still has enough
fuel to warm the earth for another 5 billion years!
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The body needs plenty of vitamin D, and spending
time in the sun is a great way to get
your recommended daily allowance. Not
only does sunlight cause the body to synthesize
vitamin D, it also aids in the
absorption of calcium. This means healthier
bones and teeth, and an upper hand in
battling osteoporosis!
Sunlight can be a great treatment for
eczema, acne, psoriasis, and dandruff.
Wait? Isn’t exposure going against
everything we know? Well, too much
exposure … yes … but otherwise,
ultraviolet rays actually interfere
with the growth of abnormal skin
cells that trigger some annoying
skin problems.
Amazingly, the sun’s light provides even more
benefits, and more are being discovered all the time.
It is already known to boost the immunity powers of
your body, reduce the risk of breast cancer, and can
even battle jet lag!
Much of the sunlight’s benefits comes through your
eyes, so you can still wrap up and don some sunscreen—just
don’t hide your eyes behind sunglasses
too much. Just 30 minutes can help you if you’re feeling
lethargic or “down in the dumps.” It will also battle junkfood
cravings. And more exposure to the sun in the
summer helps store up vitamin D for the winter months.
And 15 to 30 minutes of skin exposure
can relieve common skin
ailments, including acne.
But remember, too much
unprotected skin exposure
increases the risk
of skin cancer. Consult
a physician to determine
your sun-block needs.
So just because cold weather is upon you, don’t forget
your time in the sun. And also don’t forget to get some
exposure to the Son, who can brighten your days, heal
your ailments, and change your life completely.