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This
day and age, you probably would never think you would be advised to sunbathe.
With the dangers of skin cancer at an all-time high, laying out in the sun may
seem like a unwise decision at first. And while it is certainly not advised to
spend hours baking in the full sun, the fact of the matter is that human beings
need the sun's rays for health and wellness.
Up until
fifty years ago, doctors advised for people to regularly sunbathe. In 1903,
Niels Finsen, who was awarded the Nobel Prize for Medicine, discovered that
exposure to the sun helped heal tuberculosis patients. Finsen strongly advocated
sunlight therapy, which caught on so much that hospitals were built in a way so
that patients could get daily exposure to the sun's rays.
We all know
that too much sun can trigger skin cancer. However, we also know Vitamin D is
the only vitamin that the body naturally synthesizes. Furthermore, it is
exposure to the sun that triggers the synthesizing of Vitamin D. Up until recent
times, the role of Vitamin D was primarily recognized for building strong bones
and teeth. Scientists have only recently discovered just how important Vitamin D
is to every organ and cell in the body - not just for bones and teeth.
Scientists are beginning to link Vitamin D deficiencies with many health
conditions, including depression, heart disease, cancer of the pancreas, colon,
breast and prostate. And considering that approximately half the U.S. population
has a Vitamin D deficiency, it is important to ensure we are getting adequate
exposure to ultraviolet radiation.
How much
sunlight you ask? Well, by no means are you advised to sunbathe to the point of
burning. When sun therapy was being used to treat tuberculosis, patients started
off at five minutes in the sun and worked their way up. It was determined that
sunbathing during early hours or in cool temperatures had the most therapeutic
effect. There certainly wasn't any mid-day baking sessions going on.
Alternatively, Vitamin D supplements can be taken to ensure you are getting
adequate levels. However, Vitamin D can reach toxic levels when taken orally and
is not as efficiently used by the body in single vitamin form.
The Sun has
been a symbol and object of veneration since the earliest civilizations. There
is no doubt that without the Sun, before all life would die off, the spiritual
wellness of humans would begin to decline. Modern day scientists link depression
with a lack of exposure to sunlight. Ancient civilizations believed the Sun's
rays were infused with a Divine Essence - life giving on all levels. Many people
still believe this.
Given the life giving properties and spiritual role of the
sun since time immemorial, it is a logical conclusion. It certainly suits us
best to be in it. As with all things, moderation is the key. You don't have to
worship the sun to realize its importance for holistic wellness...physically and
spiritually.
Author:
Ry
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