Sunlight generally has a bad reputation when it comes to health—and for good reason. But that is only because people are exposing themselves to the sun too much, which has negative consequences, as well as not always protecting themselves through the use of sunblock.

However, a little sunshine can actually improve your health issues, such as psoriasis or a weak immune system. Enjoying the sun will not only improve your mood, but also brings with it great health benefits. Here are some of the amazing health advantages of sunlight.

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Sun exposure improves brain function

One of the amazing health advantages of sunlight is improved brain function. According to scientists, vitamin D is responsible for a number of functions throughout the body, including the functioning of the brain.

The study made by neuroscientist David Llewellyn of the University of Cambridge, assessed vitamin D levels in more than 1,700 men and women from England, aged 65 or older and found that cognitive function reduced the lower the subjects’ vitamin D levels were.

Other studies have found that sunlight can help spur nerve cell growth in the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for forming, organizing, and storing memories.

It also boosts your immune system

If you have a weak immune system, you certainly do not expose yourself to the sun much. Sun exposure can boost our immune system, which could explain why sunlight is used to treat autoimmune diseases like psoriasis.

Researchers say that sunshine stimulates immune systems’ vitamin D and T cells which results in boosted immunity. The sun exposure makes our white blood cells increase, so we can fight diseases and defend our body against infection.

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Get your daily dose of vitamin D

Vitamin D, also known as “the sunshine vitamin”, is a crucial vitamin for our overall health. High levels of vitamin D in our body can protect us against inflammation, heart disease, insomnia, prostate cancer, depression, improve our brain function, lower high blood pressure, and more.

But be careful not to expose yourself to the sun too much. 15 minutes of sun exposure is enough to provide all the Vitamin D you need.

Exposure to sun leads to healthier bones

More sun, healthier bones! As we know, vitamin D helps our body better absorb calcium. Low levels of vitamin D in the body can lead to health problems such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia.  The Ultraviolet-B radiation causes our skin to create vitamin D. The result? Healthy bones.

If for some reason you are not able to expose yourself to the sun enough, make sure to try one of the best gadgets for enjoying the natural sunlight. This portable & self-standing Light Therapy Lamp lets you enjoy safely the natural sunlight at home, in the office, and on-the-go. This is a great way to combat seasonal depression, but also quarantine time at home. Pre-order your fall subscription box and enjoy this amazing product.

Sunlight lowers your blood pressure

People who have high blood pressure should enjoy the sun more often. One study has shown that nitric oxide stored at the top layer of the skin reacts to sunlight which causes blood vessels to widen as the oxide moves into the bloodstream. This lowers your blood pressure.

Sunshine might prevent cancer

Too much sun exposure can lead to skin cancer, that fact is widely known. But the sun can also help you avoid cancer. According to Dr. Mercola, stripping off in the spring sunshine might be even better for men, as a second vitamin D study suggests it decreases their risk of developing kidney cancer. Doctors also explain that vitamin D reduces the risk of many forms of cancer and increases survival rates once cancer reaches a detectable stage.

Get amazing benefits for your mental health

It is known that the lack of sunlight in the winter seems to trigger depression. Exposure to sunlight can help you to fight insomnia and depression. You’ll be surprised to hear that, according to Forbes, in 2012, 60 million Americans filled prescriptions for sleeping pills!

And just a little more sun exposure can drastically reduce that number. If you tend to avoid the sun, the level of serotonin in your body will decrease and there is a high chance that you will become depressed.

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Sunshine can heal skin disorders

Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn, but small amounts of sunlight can have health benefits for your skin. According to Dr. Mercola, sunshine may actually be able to fight skin diseases by attracting immune cells to the skin surface. UV radiation can help people fight eczema, acne, and psoriasis. If you also have this problem, consult your dermatologist before sun exposure.

Exposure to sunlight can help you control your appetite

Did you know that sunlight can help you lose weight? According to researches, going outside for only 30 minutes between 8 a.m. and noon has been linked to weight loss. Besides, according to Livestrong.com, lack of sunlight can result in depression which can affect your appetite.

Exposure to sunlight can help you to control your appetite and increases your activity level. Another study, published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences showed that eating in a dark environment makes us eat more.

Morning sunlight improves the sleep quality

Although it is best to sleep at night, a little sunlight can improve your sleep quality! Researchers suggest that morning sunlight exposure can improve your sleep quality. Sunlight is responsible for the level of melatonin your brain produces, which is what tells your brain when it is time to sleep. Therefore, when it gets dark, your brain starts to produce melatonin so you can be ready to sleep in just two hours.

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Sunlight in normal amounts is necessary for the health of your eyes

Exposing your eyes to direct sunlight for a longer period can hurt and damage your eyes. Also, this can lead to blurred vision and raise the chances to get cataracts. Still, sunlight in normal amounts can actually help your eyes. Enjoying the sun especially in teen and young adult years can help you avoid health issues such as nearsightedness. According to R. S. Agarwal, author of Yoga of Perfect Sight, our eyes need light to maintain its efficiency.

Enjoy the sunlight and live longer!

And we saved the best for last. A 20-year long study in which nearly 30,000 of Swedish women participated, has shown that those who spent more time in the sun lived six months to two years longer than those with less sun exposure. Women who have been exposed to the sun longer received an extra 7 months to 2 years of life. Although scientists are still studying this, this is definitely worth a try.