Reader’s Digest:A better night’s sleep: A 2013 study from the University of Colorado at Boulder found that natural light from the sun regulates your circadian rhythm, or internal biological clock, and standardizes your sleep cycle. According to the study, your natural sleep schedule coincides with the timing of the sunrise and sunset. When you regularly expose yourself to sunlight, your body can properly set its internal clock to align more closely with the natural light cycle, and you can count on a solid night’s sleep to carry you through your day. Stop making these 18 sunscreen mistakes right now!
A sunnier mood (pun intended!): Research shows that the sun is chemically composed to put a smile on your face. According to a 2014 study by Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, sun exposure is linked to the release of a “feel-good” chemical in the body known as beta-endorphin, the same one that’s released during exercise. This can be beneficial for quick jolt of joy, but be warned—the researchers also found that prolonged exposure can actually lead to an addiction to the sun. These are the 9 clear signs you’ve gotten too much sun.
Older-looking skin: “All of the signs that we as a culture consider part of looking old are mostly caused by the sun,” Dr. Reichenberg says. For the most part, this includes wrinkles and brown sunspots on the skin, he says. Dr. Reichenberg says some simple lifestyle changes, such as wearing a broad-brimmed hat or applying a daily facial sunscreen, can make a huge difference. Don’t miss these 13 sunburn myths that are secretly sabotaging your skin.
Improved acne: In limited doses, the sun can help treat various skin conditions, such as acne and psoriasis, Dr. Reichenberg says. Ironically enough, the way it does so is actually the same way it causes skin cancer. The sun turns down the immune system on the skin, which weakens your line of defense against cancer and increases your chances of developing melanoma. However, conditions like psoriasis and acne are caused by an overactive immune system; turning your immune system’s intensity down a few notches can help treat them. Dr. Reichenberg warns against relying completely on sunlight to treat acne, due to the associated risk of developing skin cancer. A healthier option: natural acne remedies and the right OTC and prescription medications for acne.
Strained eyesight (or worse): For many, vision problems are an unavoidable consequence of aging, but research shows that exposure to the sun can make these issues even more severe, particularly for people over the age of 40. According to a 2011 study by researchers at Fordham University, the same UV rays that can cause harm to your skin can also damage your eyes, increasing the risk of developing cataracts or other vision problems.
In serious cases, this can lead to complete blindness, the study says. Fortunately, the researchers offer a simple fix to the issue: sunglasses. This is the after-sunburn routine dermatologists always follow.
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