More often than not, you'll hear advice about putting on sunblock before going outside. Hold on! Before you do, it's good to know that you do need some sun exposure without sunblock on. Yes, the suns rays can cause cancer, but they have a bunch of benefits too.

I remember getting a tush rash as a kid, called Impetigo. We were in Connecticut at my Gram's summer house and the treatment for the rash was laying with my butt exposed to the sun. Luckily, I was too young to be embarrassed!

Turns out one of the benefits of the sun is, in fact, healing skin problems. Psoriasis is a good example.

Another one is helping improve mood and quality of sleep. The sun helps inspire your body to produce more of the brain chemicals that regulate those. So, if you need better sleep, spend about a half hour in the sun each day.

Then their is the all important production of Vitamin D by your body. Without this vitamin, many of your organs and vital body functions would fail. The sun happens to be the most efficient way to produce Vitamin D. All it takes is 15 minutes in the sun. I learned this after my D level plummeted. Never going outside will do that.

If you are a germophob, you will love the sun even more after I tell you this one! UV rays actually kill viruses, bacteria, molds, yeast and fungi that maybe found on your skin. It's like a natural antiseptic. Cool!

And, my favorite benefit of the good ol' sun's rays: it fights food cravings. Yes it does. Getting about 30 minutes of sun every morning cuts your cravings for junk food in half according to new research.

Time to toss the sunblock and get some rays.

 

 

 

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