All About The Sun

The sun has become more of a taboo topic over the years. With many different opinions, it can get confusing—is the sun “good” or “bad” for us? So, let’s get into it!

For starters, the sun is the main source of energy for Earth, us, and all living organisms on the planet. We need sunlight to survive but also thrive with our health and wellness. So no, you shouldn’t fear the sun but understand how to safely utilize the sun’s UV rays appropriately to allow your body to reap the many wonderful benefits.

Our bodies are designed to utilize sunlight for many beneficial purposes such as:

• The facilitation of our body's production of vitamin D—helping our bodies fight off diseases, maintain more energy, have radiant skin, and more

• Increases cognitive function 

• Enhances sleep quality

• Boots immune health

• Helps fight depression and mood imbalances/mental health conditions–via the release of the hormone serotonin 

• Promotes bone health 

• Lowers stress 

• Promotes hormonal health

• Enhances heart health

• Effects of our circadian rhythm which “is your body's internal clock that follows a 24-hour cycle, regulating processes like sleep, wakefulness, hormone release, appetite, and temperature. It is influenced by factors like light, and disruptions to it can affect your sleep patterns and overall health.”  

• Linked to affecting the hypothalamus which influences body temperature, hormonal systems, energy levels, digestive functions, and the immune system.

• And promotes overall longevity 

Now let's get into how to get the most out of the sun in the safest, less toxic way and avoid burning. 

• In the cooler months, spend more time in direct sunlight where you have a much lower risk of burning

• In the warmer months, starting in spring, go outside for 10, 15, or 30 minutes to allow your body to slowly build up a tolerance and increase the darker pigment of your skin tone

• Wear hats, cover up with clothing, and use umbrellas

• Only go in the sun for shorter increments depending on your skin type

• Ditch the chemical sunscreen (Banana Sport, Copperstone Sport, Neutrogena, etc.), which contains harmful ingredients to our bodies and health

Feel free to reference EWG to read more on this topic and the importance of making sure you are using a mineral-based brand

• Here are a few mineral-based sunscreens we like: Luminance Skincare Sunscreen, Toups and Co, Babo Botanicals, Fancy Farm Skincare, and Earth Mama Organics Sunscreen.

• Using dietary or supplementation to boost your "internal" sunscreen: omega-3s (nuts/seeds, fish, cod liver oil supplementation), resveratrol (blueberries), beta-carotene (carrots, bell peppers), astaxanthin (salmon), catechins (coffee, green tea), and vitamin E (supplement this one).

Before we wrap up, we can't talk about natural light without getting into artificial light.  The sun actually emits natural blue light during the day, another positive for getting outside more.

Unfortunately, nowadays, most people spend the majority of their time inside and on the computer, phone, tablet, TV, etc. There are two problems with this. One, less time is being spent outdoors and in the natural light. Secondly, having higher exposure to artificial blue light via technology and other artificial light from lightbulbs (fluorescent, LED, etc.) has negative effects on our bodies and health. 

• Eye strain and lowers overall eye health

• Disrupts our circadian rhythm

• Impacts our sleep quality 

• Can cause headaches 

• Mood disruptor 

• Increases difficulty focusing

Here are some resources to reference and read more about natural and artificial light.

1. https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/report/the-trouble-with-sunscreen-chemicals/

2. https://raoptics.com/pages/blue-light-its-impact-on-our-health

3. https://us.boncharge.com/pages/learn

4. Homegrown’s podcast with Matt Maruca 

5. Wise Tradition podcast: episodes “Junk Light” and “Eating Light”

Lastly, here are some tips to navigate both the sun and artificial light:

• Get outside first thing to optimize the morning sunlight & balance you circadian rhythm 

• Take breaks throughout your day to get outside

• Stay off your phone and other forms of technology before bed (at least 1 hour prior) to eliminate your artificial blue light exposure

• Start sun gazing, especially during sunrise and sunset

• Wear blue light protection glasses during the day– check out Ra Optics for some great options and use the code homegrown for 10% off

• Start using red light therapy –Bon Charge has some great resources on the many benefits & products

• Look into full spectrum light bulbs/blue free light bulbs