“Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun” Ecclesiastes 11:7
Here is some interesting information I hope should get you outside a little more, even in the winter!
Some of the many benefits of Sunlight:
1. Increases circulation.
2. Increases cardiac output.
3. Increases the number and efficiency of blood vessels in the skin.
4. Decreases blood pressure - the maximum decrease of systolic and diastolic pressure is gradually reached in about 24 hours and may persist for six days.
5. Increases the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood and enables oxygen to reach tissues and joints by direct action and reflex action of the blood vessels.
6. Increases number of white blood cells and their capacity for fighting infection.
7. Increases gamma globulin, part of the immune mechanism of the body.
8. Increases liver function.
9. Stimulates the liver to produce a drug-metabolizing enzyme, therefore increasing our ability to withstand pollutants in our environment.
10. Stabilizes blood sugar levels by raising it if it’s too low. If blood sugar is too high the effect of sunlight on the carbohydrate metabolism is almost indistinguishable from that of insulin, except that it will not take the blood sugar below the normal level.
11. Lowers cholesterol levels and triglycerides (fats) found in the blood. A decrease in cholesterol of more than 30 percent has been shown after sunlight exposure.
12. Converts cholesterol and ergosterol in the skin to vitamin D, but only to safe levels. Vitamin D plays a part in the metabolism of calcium and phosphorus which are essential elements of bone and teeth development.
13. Increases muscle tone and endurance. Persons who exercised in the sunlight built muscle faster than those who exercised indoors.
14. Increases metabolism.
15. Sunlight comes through the eyes to the pineal gland and affects the pituitary gland which controls the hormone production of the other endocrine glands in a beneficial way.
16. Promotes the healing of wounds.
17. Improves mental outlook and sense of well-being. Helps to prevent and counteract depression.
18. Lessens stress by working both through sensory receptors in the skin as well as through psychological factors.
19. Kills Streptococcus and other germs on exposure.
So Get Some Sunshine!
Be careful not to get too much of a good thing. We tend to overdo even good things. That is when they become harmful. So to maximize the benefits of sunshine, here are a few key points:
1. Sunburn should be avoided since it is a stress for the body, requires healing energy, and disrupts the many functions that the skin performs.
2. Keep your exposures to the point of below reddening. Shorter, Multiple exposures are better than one long exposure.
3. Higher risk times for getting sunburned are between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. You can still go out during these times, but be very careful and not too long.
4. One should be bathed, if possible, before having an exposure. Avoid oils and creams, as they may be converted to harmful substances.
5. Have a diet low in fats.
6. Glass filters out 95 percent of the BENEFICIAL ultraviolet rays, so you will not want to sunbathe behind glass.
7. Begin with four (4) Minutes to each quadrant – front, back, and both sides – when sunbathing.
8. Exercising and laboring moderately every day throughout the year will allow our skin to slowly build up a healthy, glowing tone. This will help prevent sunburn as well as encourage overall health.
The Creator provided this gift to all of us. Check it out for yourself.
3ABN World Health Report and Dr. Agatha Thrash – November 2012 (excerpted and emphasis by Paul Gunn Sr)