One of the things I love about playing outside is the sunshine factor. Any time of year, no matter the temperatures outside, I love to experience the sun. (Moreso now than ever, especially when there’s heat involved, given my ever-cold menopausal freeze factor.) But there is something extra special about the warmth of the sunshine in summertime that – if I’m able to bask in it – restores and rejuvenates.
The sun gets a bad rap sometimes, I think, because if we don’t protect our skin from it (hello, ’70s baby oil tanners!), it can do dermatological damage. I have experienced that myself: multiple burn-and-tan-over experiences from childhood through my late 20s have taken their toll in the form of seborrheic keratosis and thinning skin, ‘age spots’ on my cheeks, and extra wrinkles and crinkles that have shown up much earlier on my face than on my mother’s. (Her skin is practically wrinkle free and she’s 22 years older than me. Go mom!)
I’m late to the game when it comes to sunscreen use, but I’m in the habit of wearing it now – especially on my face – and while I know it won’t mitigate any of the damage already done, it will help prevent more sun damage in the future.
So, to re-clarify my point above:
There is just something about the sunshine in summertime that – as long as you are protected from the potential damage it can cause your skin – is refreshing and rejuvenating to bask in.
🙂
And the sun is such a wonderful ally in health!
Short-term, through-the-window exposure to sunlight helps eradicate jaundice in babies.
Exposure to sunlight also releases serotonin, which is produced in your nerve cells (in the brain and in the intestines), and that release has multiple positive effects, including but not limited to:
- reducing depression
- calming anxiety
- promoting healthy digestion*
- assisting with better focus
- supporting healthier sleep patterns
*this is an interesting article about serotonin and IBS
Vitamin D is something your body makes itself, and in so doing, it helps your system process calcium. (Lack of Vitamin D is what causes rickets.) But in order to stimulate Vitamin D production, your skin has to be exposed to sunlight. People with chronic kidney disease have difficulty producing enough Vitamin D on their own – even with exposure to the sun – because the receptors used to process Vitamin D are in the kidneys. Kidney patients need all the Vitamin D they can get. For that reason, my husband has cause to enjoy the sunshine right alongside me. 🙂
And then, of course, there’s the whole ‘sexy’ aspect of summer sunshine…
*grin*
What can I say?
If it does Good Things to my libido, well then…
As far as I’m concerned, sunshine is a damn good thing! 🙂
Do you enjoy the summer sunshine?
What’s your favorite thing about being in the sun?
April A-to-Z Challenge: Letter S
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🙂
In summer where I live the sunshine is just too hot to bask in so we all seek the shade. However Autumn is a different story and so is Winter and Spring. We are blessed with a lot of sunny days so look for a sheltered spot out of the wind and really enjoy getting our dose of vitamin D. Saying that it is still too warm to stay in the sun for long (mid April) but another week should see temperatures drop.
Oh, of course! Parts of the U.S. are absolutely dreadful in summer too, but perfect – sun-wise – in autumn. 🙂
I currently live in the Pacific Northwest, so sunshine is a rarity. (And the only time it’s warm is for about four weeks in the middle of summer.)
I love lying out in the sun. Particularly if I can do it naked! (Protected by sunscreen of course). In fact the application of sun screen can be a lot of fun!!
Oh, me too! I don’t often have the appropriate weather or a suitable location to do it naked, but the basking bit: YES. I have a comfy deck chair that I happily sit in, in various states/layers of dress, from April thru October, whenever the sun is out. 🙂
I too love the sun – but not too hot – so I’m a fan of the later Spring and early Fall sunshine … it makes me feel like I’m a cat – I seek out the ‘sunspots’ in the house and on the deck where, when I can, I curl up with a book or tablet and bask. I hate winter and early Spring … dull, grey, rain and drizzle … it affects both my mood and my libido.
Happy for you Ms F, that the warm sun has arrived a little early here in the PNW and is giving you a boost! … nj … xx
Yes, it’s been really nice recently! We put in our garden last weekend — it’ll be interesting to see what grows! 🙂
And about the cat-in-the-sun thing: ME TOO! 😉
I have a love-hate relationship with the sunshine. On one hand, I love lying in the sun, especially naked. But I hate using sunscreen, so I just avoid lying in the sun.
My parents were sun-worshippers and my mom used to get a gorgeous caramel colored tan. Unfortunately, they both also got skin cancer.
I love the brighter days of spring and the longer days of summer, but I hate the morning sun blinding me when I’m trying to write and work on my computer. I actually have to put up a Japanese parasol to protect my eyes from the sun.
I live in the Northwest and too many days of sunshine have me craving rain.
cindirosebliss recently posted…Discover Prompts: Light
I live in the Northwest too — probably not too far from you, actually. 🙂
I moved out here in 2002 from the Midwest. So I traded cold cold winters and hot humid summers for one long rainy season with about a month of sun. I don’t miss shoveling snow, but I sure do miss the heat!
Yeah, I’ve heard that people who moved here, have a hard time adjusting. I’ve lived here my whole life but I know if I moved somewhere where it was snowy, I’d have a really hard time adjusting to that. I have to admit, when the sunshines in Western Washington, it’s a special occasion.
cindirosebliss recently posted…Discover Prompts: Light
I am one of those who used baby oil in my teens, to get the perfect tan, and have many times had a bad sunburn. I now use protection when I am out in the sun, which is not that much since we live in a country with more grey than sunny days 😉
My husband has a chronic vitamin D deficiency and has to take tablets every day as his levels were almost non-existent. He actually always wears long sleeves, which might be one of the reasons his body doesn’t soak up enough vitamin D on the sunny days when we are outside.
Rebel xox
Vitamin D deficiency is fairly common for those of us who live in the northern hemisphere. Especially when the climate of your locality includes a high incidence of cloud cover and rain. It can be difficult to counter.
I agree – sunshine and daylight are so vital to our health and as u say the vit D from the sun help us absorb some vitamins and minerals – and balance serotonin – so good for helping us feel more positive.
May 😉
May More recently posted…Seven Days ~ Grace will overcome
Yes, sunlight is a natural “upper.” 🙂
!!!!!!! I love the sunshine !!!!!!!!
https://youtu.be/4ZeRVUUxV_k
I am so, so glad the sun is making more appearances these days AND that it’s a warm sun. It definitely has an impact on my mental health.
I was lucky to have two weekends of nice weather earlier this month to get my garden started. A little bit of warmth goes a long way!