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Your Body On Sunlight
Soak up the benefits of the sun without getting burned
Summer’s almost here, and you can’t wait for a day of fun in the sun with friends. Something about being outside in the sunshine just makes you feel good. In fact, there are a lot of mental and physical benefits to getting regular doses of ultraviolet light, which is the type of light produced by the sun. Studies show that exposure to sunlight can improve your mood, help you sleep at night, and give you strong bones and teeth. It is even good for your skin. But too much sun can be downright dangerous, so before you throw on shorts and a tank and go running out the door, make sure you have sun protection in the form of a hat, shades, and sunscreen. You also need a water bottle so you can stay hydrated. Read on to find out how sunlight affects your body, mind, and mood, and how to keep your relationship with UV rays sunny.
Brain
Spending too much time outdoors on hot days can cause heatstroke, which is when your internal body temp rises to dangerously high levels. Heatstroke can damage your vital organs, including your brain, and even lead to death.
Skin
UV rays absorbed by your skin help create the vitamin D your body needs for healthy bones and teeth. But too much sun can damage your skin and put you at risk for skin cancer. Put on sunscreen 15 minutes before heading outdoors, and reapply hourly.
Kidneys
Spending a lot of time in the sun can lead to dehydration, which can damage the kidneys. To prevent dehydration, drink a lot of water and consider a sports drink with electrolytes to replace lost salt if you’re exercising or sweating a lot.
Mood
Sunlight promotes your body’s release of serotonin, a hormone that can improve your mood and make you feel calmer and more focused.
Eyes
Being in the sun without UV-blocking sunglasses for too long can irritate your eyes, making them sensitive and sore. Repeated excess exposure can cause cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that can lead to blindness.
The SPF on a bottle of sunscreen stands for sun protection factor. It’s a measure of how much more UV radiation (aka sun exposure) is needed to cause a sunburn if you’re wearing the sunscreen versus not using sunscreen. In other words, a 30 SPF sunscreen gives you 30 times more protection against UV rays than going without sunscreen. The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. Aim to use sunscreen with SPF 30 and above.
Are you a “star” student of the sun? Find out with this quiz.
TRUE OR FALSE? You should call 911 if you think you or someone else has heatstroke.
True
False
True! Heatstroke is a dangerous condition that should be treated immediately. Symptoms include confusion, nausea or vomiting, flushed skin, and headache.
TRUE OR FALSE? Only people with fair complexions get sunburns.
False! Fairer skin burns faster, but all skin tones are vulnerable to sunburns and sun damage.
TRUE OR FALSE? You need sunscreen only on a sunny day.
False! You can still be exposed to harmful UV rays even on a cloudy day, so always wear sunscreen if you’re going to be outside for a while.
Catching rays during the day can improve your sleep at night. That’s because sunlight prompts your body to produce melatonin, a hormone that helps regulate your circadian rhythms (the intervals of time during which you’re awake or asleep). Increased melatonin can help you fall asleep, have better sleep quality, and feel more energetic. Sources: National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization
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