We have been told to stay out of the sun because it is dangerous, but that is usually bad advice unless you have a history or a high risk of skin cancer. The sunlight actually helps prevent most cancers with all of its health benefits. The key is not to overdo it, but we definitely need the sun to survive and thrive. We would all be dead without the sun. It assists us in boosting our brainpower, helps with cellular growth, our bony structures, and thyroid function, just to name a few. If you are spending your vacation outside in the sun all day long, I suggest putting on sunscreen with safe ingredients such as zinc oxide with no chemicals added. However, most days, when you are limited in your outdoor skin exposure, it is not as important to apply. You can even cover your exposed skin with coconut oil which offers some protection and has no harmful chemicals.

Girl in straw hat and white swim suit sitting on the beach sunbathingSuntan lotions and sunscreens are some of the most toxic products on the planet. Some commercial brands are actually so strong they can erase permanent markers. What does that tell you about what it is doing to your skin? Thankfully, there are some companies developing sunblocks that are designed with fewer harsh chemicals to be safer for your body. Do not buy from chain stores like CVS, Walmart, or Target. Their products are full of toxins that cause brain and body inflammation, which is a “silent killer.”

Another “silent killer” toxin can be found in our own atmosphere associated with geoengineering where chemicals are sprayed into the air to reflect sunlight away from the Earth in hopes of preventing global warming. However, there are two major problems with this. The first problem is that the chemicals they are spraying into the air invade our lungs, our water, our food, and our soil. The second problem is that we need the sun’s rays, so blocking it would not be beneficial to our health. Vitamin D and sunlight will help reduce your chances of the flu, coronavirus, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis, thyroid disease, muscles aches, and even Covid-19, so we need to stop any efforts to block or reflect the sunlight away from us.  

father holding child walking outside in the cold winter snowThe main reason the sun is so important is because of Vitamin D. Your blood work should show a vitamin D level above 50 ng/mL. Most labs will define over 20-30 ng/mL as normal; however, that “normal” comes from people who are inside all day and do not spend much time outside. That is not healthy. Every day we need to get vitamin D. Almost everyone gets a lunch break. Take this time to go outside, roll up your sleeves, take off your hat, take off your glasses, get out of the shade, and stand in direct sunlight for twenty minutes a day with a lot of body exposure. Of course, throughout much of the year, it is too cold to do this properly, and it might be necessary to supplement. You may also want to supplement if you move somewhere like New Jersey or New York from a southern latitude like the Caribbean, South America, India, or Africa since your genetic makeup requires more Vitamin D to function at normal levels. People from the equator regions have more melanin in their skin which works to block the sunlight and decrease Vitamin D absorption. Researchers have even proven that southern latitude offspring are more likely to develop neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis due to a vitamin D deficiency. This is also one of the contributing factors of why people of color are more susceptible to Covid-19, as well.

If you live somewhere in the northern latitudes, like New Jersey or New York, it is important to take Vitamin D supplements. The best product that I have researched is UltraD-5000 by Apex Energetics. In the winter, I personally take 10,000 IU a day, and in the summer, I take 5,000 IU a day. If your vitamin D levels are high, then your brain and thyroid functioning will improve, and you will be more likely to boost your brainpower. Conversely, if they are low, it may lead to brain, thyroid, and immune system dysfunction, as well as a major increase in depression and even difficulty losing weight.

older man pruning a tree outside in the sunlightI also recommend going for a walk or a bike ride during sunrise and sunset so the body knows to increase energy during the day, and helps to get you in a more relaxed state during the night so you can get the deep sleep you need to function properly. If your circadian rhythms are in order, you will have better sleep, more energy during the day, more happiness, better digestion, and better brain function.  

It is best if you can combine sunlight and exercise together with positive brain activities like jogging, bike riding, playing sports, going for a nice stroll with your family, gardening, tai chi, yoga, dancing, or taking the dog out for a run. If you want to do something like meditate, read a book, or listen to a podcast, do these activities outside on the hammock where you can get your brain functioning better, breathe in fresh air and oxygen, and get your sunlight exposure all at the same time! These are just a few suggestions, but you get the idea.