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Answer. In most contexts, when you are referring to being outdoors in the sunshine, it's better to use " in the sun," as in these examples: The kids were in the sun all day, and they got sunburned. If you sit in the sun, you'll be warmer. I put the plants in the sun to help them grow.
Feb 2, 2022 · Check out my new song, "Out In The Sun," in partnership with San Diego Tourism! The full song will be released on Friday, February 4th and is available for pre-save now via the link...
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- Michael Franti
The expression ‘mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun’ refers to the perceived naivety of the English in their disregard for the power of the sun in hot climates.
- What sunbathing means
- Sunbathing benefits
- Is sunbathing bad for you?
- How long can you sunbathe?
- Can sunbathing harm an unborn baby?
- Sunbathing tips and precautions
- Alternatives to sunbathing
- Takeaway
With so much talk about seeking shade and wearing SPF — even on cloudy days and in winter — it can be hard to believe that exposure to the sun, in small doses, can be beneficial.
Sunbathing, which is the act of sitting or lying in the sun, sometimes with the intent to tan, may have some health benefits if done properly.
There’s a major difference, to be sure, between going outside for 10 minutes without sunscreen and regularly spending time in a tanning bed.
The risks of too much sun exposure are well-documented. Spending time in the sun without SPF is one cause of melanoma, among other conditions.
Sun exposure helps the body make vitamin D naturally. This vitamin is essential but many people don’t get enough of it. Vitamin D deficiency is common and some estimates say that 1 billion people worldwide are deficient.
Vitamin D can be difficult to get from food alone. It exists in certain fish and egg yolks, but most of it is consumed through fortified products like milk. Supplements are also available. The benefits of sunlight and vitamin D include:
•Reduced depression. Fewer symptoms of depression may be reported afters spending time in the sun. Sunlight triggers the brain to release the hormone serotonin, which can boost mood and promote feelings of calm. Even without depression, spending time in the sunshine will likely boost mood.
•Better sleep. Sunbathing can help regulate your circadian rhythm, and your body will start to get reliably drowsy when the sun goes down.
•Stronger bones. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which leads to stronger bones and may help to prevent osteoporosis and arthritis.
•Boosted immune system. Vitamin D helps the body fight diseases, including heart disease, muscle sclerosis, the flu, and certain autoimmune diseases and cancer.
Sunbathing isn’t without risks. Too much time in the sun can lead to sun rash, sometimes called heat rash, which is red and itchy.
Sun exposure can also lead to sunburn, which is painful, may cause blistering, and can affect all parts of the body, even the lips. Sunburns may lead to melanoma later in life.
Some dermatologists believe that, as long as you don’t have complications with usual sun exposure, you can sunbathe without sunscreen up to 20 minutes each day. To reduce the risk of sunburn, it may be best to stick to 5 to 10 minutes.
This will vary based on how close to the equator you live, your skin’s usual response to the sun, and the air quality. Poor air quality can block some UV light. Some research suggests that it’s more damaging to get a lot of sun at once than to slowly be exposed to it over time.
Sunbathing while pregnant has the potential to lead to dehydration due to sweating in the heat. Sitting in the sun for prolonged periods may also raise your core temperature, which can raise the temperature of a fetus. Some studies show higher core temperatures can lead to longer pregnancies.
Vitamin D is extremely important during pregnancy. Research suggests that 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily had the greatest benefits. To avoid the risks above, talk with your doctor about how you can get the right amount of vitamin D if you’re pregnant.
There are ways to safely sunbathe.
•Wear SPF 30 or more and apply it 15 minutes before going outside. Make sure you cover your body in at least a full ounce of sunscreen. That’s about as much as the size of a golf ball or a full shot glass.
•Don’t forget to use SPF on the top of your head if it’s not protected by hair, as well as your hands, feet, and lips.
•Avoid tanning beds. Aside from being dangerous, most tanning beds barely contain UVB light to stimulate vitamin D production.
•Take breaks in the shade when you get hot.
•Drink water if you’re spending prolonged periods of time in the sun.
Sunbathing is one way for your body to reap the benefits of the sun, but it’s not the only way. If you don’t want to lie in the sun but still want the benefits, you can:
•exercise outside
•go for a 30-minute walk
•open the windows while you drive
•park farther from your work and walk
•eat a meal outdoors
Research shows there can be benefits to sunbathing and spending time in the sun. Exposure to sunlight can boost mood, result in better sleep, and helps vitamin D production, which strengthens bones and may help fight certain diseases.
However, because of the risks associated with too much sun exposure, limit your exposure time and wear sunscreen SPF 30 or above. Unprotected sunbathing can result in sun rashes, sunburns, and a greater chance of developing melanoma.
Feb 2, 2024 · Stay out of the sun. This is especially important between the peak hours of 10 AM and 2 PM; UV is at its highest around the middle of the day, when the sun is directly overhead. If you are outdoors during this time, stay in the shade.
Jun 19, 2024 · First and foremost, when you begin laying out in the sun, only get 1-2 hours of exposure at a time. Skip a day or two before laying out again. Melanin, the pigment in your body that colors your skin, is activated when UVA and UVB rays from the sun hit your skin.
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- Margareth Pierre-Louis, MD
Jun 8, 2021 · It’s important to protect your skin from the sun even if it’s not particularly sunny outside. On cloudy days, up to 90 percent of the sun’s rays can still penetrate your skin. Since you don’t feel the heat as much, you may be tempted not to cover up or use sunblock.
