As discussed in part 1, long-term exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays causes cellular damage to our skin, which can affect our overall health. Yet scientific studies demonstrate that sunlight can also provide major benefits to our mental and physical health.

The Benefits of Sun Exposure
Sunlight helps the body produce most of the vitamin D required for healthy bone, blood and muscle function. Vitamin D is a hormone that helps the body maintain healthy nutrient absorption from food, while aiding in bone development, immunity and blood cell formation. Without regular sun exposure, the body requires vitamin D from foods and supplements. The consequences of vitamin D deficiency can be serious, and include high blood pressure, breast cancer and type-1 diabetes.

You’re probably aware of this intuitively, but getting sun is also a mood enhancer. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a psychological condition that tends to affect people during the darker fall and winter months, and appears more commonly in people who live farther from the equator. Severe cases of SAD can be successfully treated with light therapy, and exposure to sunlight (even through clouds) can help avoid or reverse the effects of SAD. Reduced sunlight also affects the body’s internal clock, which disrupts sleeping patterns and can lead to loss of energy or symptoms of depression.

Sensible Sun
While sunlight has important health benefits, it’s also clearly unadvisable to overexpose our skin to the sun—and our vulnerability to the sun only increases as we age. Finding the right balance will vary from person to person, but the best approach is to sensibly manage our sun exposure on a daily basis. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen, particularly during the peak sunlight hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. will help protect skin from the damaging effects of UV rays. But avoiding the sun altogether is not recommended, as lack of sunlight can also cause serious impact on our health.

For More Sun Care Tips
Eucerin's Skin First Amabassador, Sara Kate, caught up with ultra-marathoner Dean Karnazes, and they discussed additional ways to protect your skin from the sun. Take a look at the video to learn more.