A Balanced Approach to Sun Exposure
In an era dominated by fear-mongering and sensationalised health advice, it's easy to lose the profound benefits of one of our planet's most essential life-giving forces: THE SUN.
While excessive sun exposure can pose risks, depending on where you are in the world, the time of day, and skin tone, the one-sided narrative that the sun is harmful has led to a widespread misunderstanding of our relationship with sunlight.
Sunlight influences our biology at a cellular level.
Light profoundly impacts nearly every aspect of our health, from neurological function to cardiovascular health, respiratory function, digestive health, immune function, hormonal balance, and inflammatory response.
We've evolved in sync with the sun's daily rhythm, and the spectrum of light it provides—infrared, UVA, UVB, and the visible spectrum—plays a crucial role in our biology.
Our bodies are designed to thrive under the full spectrum of natural light, which includes a harmonious blend of colours, from deep reds to vibrant blues. This diverse spectrum of light interacts with our cells through a process known as the photoelectric effect. When photons of light strike electrons within our cells, they trigger a cascade of biochemical reactions that impact everything from our mood to our metabolism.
Unfortunately, modern lifestyles often expose us to a narrow spectrum of light, primarily blue light emitted from electronic devices. While blue light has its place, an overemphasis on this specific wavelength can disrupt our circadian rhythms, leading to sleep disturbances, eye degeneration, and other severe health issues. (1)
Dispelling Sun Myths
SUNSCREEN
One common misconception is that wearing sunscreen all year round is necessary. While mineral-based sunscreen can be a tool for sun protection, excessive use can hinder vitamin D synthesis, an essential hormone for overall health.
You may be aware of the recent scandals regarding chemical-based sunscreens, which are endocrine-disrupting and themselves cancer-promoting! PLEASE read those back-of-product labels very carefully.
"In 2021, the Food and Drug Administration, which oversees sunscreen safety, proposed its latest update to regulations for these products. The agency reviewed 16 ingredients and reported that only two, zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are "generally recognised as safe and effective" (3)
Wow!
SUNGLASSES
While they are appropriate in glare-prone environments such as snow, sunglasses disrupt your circadian rhythm, hindering the production of melatonin, a hormone essential for sleep.
There is also an ongoing debate about whether sunglasses can prevent melanin production, the pigment you want to produce when in the sun. The main argument is that sunglasses trick your body into thinking it's cloudy, and as a result, it doesn't produce melanin, which protects against the sun. This results in more rapid harmful responses, such as sunburn.
A mid-way point is to not wear them early in the morning or late in the afternoon.
A Balanced Approach to Sun Safety
We have evolved with the sun over millennia. Revered as a God, the sun is the master regulator of life on this planet, and, not surprisingly, the same is true for our health.
That said, there is no one-size-fits-all regarding sun exposure. You need to learn to listen to your body and pay attention to your skin's response to sunlight. If you're not used to sunlight, slowly increase your exposure daily so you don't feel uncomfortable or notice signs of sunburn; instead, seek shade or cover-up if so.
When to get sun exposure
Early morning sunlight exposure is a cornerstone of optimal health. Exposing your eyes to natural light soon after waking can significantly improve your physical and mental well-being.
KEY BENEFITS:
- Regulates Circadian Rhythm: Morning light helps synchronise your body's internal clock, leading to better sleep quality and increased daytime alertness.
- Boosts Mood: Exposure to sunlight increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with mood regulation.
- Enhances Cognitive Function: Regular morning light exposure can improve cognitive function, memory, and attention span.
- Optimises Hormone Levels: Sunlight helps regulate the production of hormones like cortisol and melatonin, which are crucial for energy levels and sleep.
MIDDAY SUN
Midday sun exposure, without sunscreen, is crucial for optimal vitamin D synthesis. (2) Depending on skin tone, time of year and location, this can be as little as 3 minutes.
Late afternoon and watching sunsets
Exposing your eyes to natural light around sunset can protect against the harmful effects of late-night screen time. This strategic exposure calibrates the sensitivity of your eye cells, mitigating the negative impact of artificial light. Not to mention, it's romantic!
Embracing the Sun Responsibly
Like all of this planet's fundamental forces, treat the sun respectfully; otherwise, you will be humbled.
Terra Tonics' foundational belief is that skincare should not be complicated. The same is true for our health. The cure should be highly effective and involve minimal time and intervention. Our modern lives have pushed us toward complexity, overstimulation and confusion. The answer is not to add more but to strip back what is unnecessary.
It is about alignment. We rediscover true health and well-being by aligning our lives with this natural rhythm and embracing the full spectrum of sunlight.