ADD LIFE TO YOUR YEARS WITH SUNSHINE
As a society as a whole - the reality for most of us in today’s modern world is to travel from one box to the next. We sleep inside, we eat inside, we step into our cars and drive to the office, we drive home from the office, finish our day relaxing around the house and do it all over again. Our modern lifestyle has developed to the point where going outside has become an 'option'. A whole week may come and go without ever feeling the sun’s rays on our skin or fresh air filling our lungs. We have been conditioned to ‘fear’ the sun, so much so, that we have tipped the scales way out of balance resulting in an increase in vitamin D deficiency and so much more.
For years, we have been repeatedly told that the sun is bad for us, and as a result, many of us live in fear of the sun and take synthetic vitamin D supplements to offset the imbalance that has come about.
The fact is, that the majority of all living things require sunlight to survive. The key and most important point to remember about sunshine is balance, and using your common sense to avoid getting sun damage.
The sun has a remarkable effect on our physical, mental and emotional health and is our best source of vitamin D, a hormone precursor that:
- controls calcium levels in the blood thus maintaining strong bones, muscles and teeth
- is involved in making hundreds of enzymes and proteins which are vital for preventing a number of diseases
- strengthens the immune system and has anti-cancer properties.
Research also shows that the sunshine has a significant effect on mental health and wellbeing and is recommended for:
- the treatment of depression
- treating psoriasis, eczema and acne
- regulating circadian rhythms (our internal body clock that when disrupted can result in sleep disorders)
On the flip side, it is important to keep in mind that too much sun exposure does have consequences: an increase in the speed of skin ageing and the potential risk of melanomas. So it’s all about finding the “right” balance for each and every one of us, taking into consideration our age, skin colour, body weight, the season of the year, and the latitude of where we live.
As an aside, what I am most fascinated about is what we don't yet know about, in regards to what sunlight does to our physical, mental and emotional health.
For it would be arrogant of humanity to believe that the only benefit of the sun is for topping up our vitamin D levels. There is so much we are yet to understand. Especially when we take in to account that we are sensory beings and that our cells communicate through electrical fields powered by sunlight, breath and movement.
For example, infrared light from the sun is one of the strongest stimulators of structured water formation. Is it any wonder that we feel more energised after walking in natural light, or sunbathing? Our bodies are, in essence, batteries that need ‘recharging’.
Personally, I love the sunshine, and love basking in it's warming rays that help nurture my sanity and happiness levels. I also like the idea of delaying wrinkles for as long as naturally possible. So ... I enjoy sensible sunshine. If I am going to be out in the sun for long periods of time, I wear a hat and in extreme conditions a natural sunscreen that contains zinc oxide and organic plant oils that have a natural SPF factor such as carrot seed oil, red raspberry seed oil and sea buckthorn oil. Gone are the days where I lay on the beach sun-baking all day.
How do we enjoy sunshine without getting burnt or promoting pigmentation
- Ensure we're well hydrated from the inside with structured water to help flush toxins, hydrate cells and keep everything functioning optimally. Glowing skin begins from within.
- Ensure we're well hydrated from the outside. To help nourish and soften skin apply a good quality natural and organic body oil made from plants.
- Choose natural and organic products for daily skincare rituals. There are a number of plant extracts that promote a healthy complexion as well as helping to minimise the appearance of pigmentation and fine lines.
- Ensure our diet contains the rainbow of coloured fruits and vegetables that are in season. This will give our body a boost of antioxidants and a plethora of other phytonutrients to support your body’s natural ability to process the sun.
- Restore gut health. The gut is paramount to the health and beauty of our body. It is especially vital for avoiding the onset of pigmentation which is commonly thought to be caused by 'sun exposure'. There is so much more to write about the misunderstanding of pigmentation causes.
Ingredients to avoid in sunscreen
Please avoid products that contain fragrance, oxybenzone, PABA, alcohol, parabens, methylisothiazolinone, salicylates, mineral oil, TEA, DEA, MEA, propylene/butylene glycol as these ingredients are linked to dryness of the skin, allergic dermatitis, photosensitivity, cancer, skin ageing and acne.
To reiterate .. the sun is not something to fear. It is literally that which nourishes our physical, mental and emotional health and wellbeing. The key point is to be sensible when enjoying the sun.
