It’s March and in many areas the first signs of spring can be seen on budding trees. During the winter season, many people stay cooped up indoors to escape the cold weather. If you’ve been in those shoes this winter you’ve been missing out on a key ingredient to stay healthy: sunshine.
Soaking up the sun beside your very own beautiful swimming pool actually has health benefits. While too much of the sun’s rays can be harmful and it’s important to wear sunscreen, there are many healthy benefits that sunshine can offer. We put together a list of four ways you can have a great time at the pool while also reaping the benefits of sunshine.
1. Serotonin:
Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brain’s release of a hormone called serotonin. This is associated with boosting mood and helping a person feel calm and focused. Without enough sunlight exposure, a person’s serotonin levels can fall. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression that is triggered by changing seasons. Who would have known soaking up some sun at the pool can boost your mood?
2. Vitamin D:
Exposure to the ultraviolet-B radiation in the sun’s rays causes a person’s skin to create vitamin D. The vitamin D that is made plays a big role in bone health. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to rickets in children and bone-wasting diseases like osteoporosis and osteomalacia. Even just 30 minutes of sun exposure can provide beneficial vitamin D levels.
3. Skin Conditions:
According to the World Health Organization, sun exposure can help treat several skin conditions. Doctors have recommended UV radiation exposure to treat psoriasis, eczema, jaundice, and acne. While light therapy isn’t for everyone, a dermatologist can recommend if light treatments will benefit your skin concerns.
4. Cancer:
Although excess sunlight can contribute to skin cancers, a moderate amount of sunlight has cancer preventive benefits. Those who live in areas with fewer daylight hours are more likely to have a number of cancers than those who live where there’s more sun during the day, according to a study from Environmental Health Perspectives.
There are many healthy benefits to sunlight, but we do reiterate it is important to enjoy sunlight safely and prevent sunburn while also wearing sunscreen.
Reaping the benefits of sunshine is convenient and easy when you have your own backyard pool. It’s not to late to be swimming this spring and summer. Contact Pools123 today (www.pools123.com) and Get Swimming in Quality and Style.