Fox News summarized the health benefits of enjoying sunshine: improved mood, longer lifespan, increased vitamin D levels, lower blood pressure, reduced risk of arthritis, protected blood vessels, reduced risk of breast cancer, reduced risk of ovarian cancer, reduced risk of pancreatic cancer, and reduced risk of multiple sclerosis.
2. Sunbathing can prevent skin diseases. Appropriate exposure to ultraviolet rays can effectively kill bacteria on the skin and increase its resistance.
3. Sunbathing can also enhance the body's immune function and increase the activity of phagocytes. The ultraviolet rays in sunlight have a strong bactericidal ability; most bacteria and some viruses will be killed after being exposed to sunlight for half an hour or several hours.
4. Sunlight also plays a role in regulating the body's biological rhythms and psychological state. Sunbathing can promote blood circulation, enhance metabolism, and regulate the central nervous system, thus making the body feel relaxed and comfortable.
5. Ultraviolet rays in sunlight can also stimulate bone marrow to produce red blood cells, improve hematopoietic function, and thus prevent anemia.
What precautions should be taken when sunbathing in winter?
1. There are some things to consider when sunbathing. In winter, due to the seasonal thinning of the ozone layer, the ultraviolet radiation in sunlight is stronger, which can easily cause various types of damage to the body. Therefore, it is important to choose the right time to sunbathe in winter:
The first phase is from 6 to 9 a.m., during which time the sunlight is dominated by warm and gentle infrared rays, while ultraviolet rays are relatively weak. Infrared rays have a higher temperature and mainly have a warming effect on the human body, which can generate heat, promote blood circulation and metabolism, and enhance vitality.
The second and third stages are from 9-10 AM and 4-5 PM respectively. These two periods are characterized by a higher proportion of UVA rays, making them an excellent time to replenish the body with vitamin D-the sun's vitamin. It also promotes the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the intestines, strengthens the body, and facilitates normal bone calcification.
2. In winter, the ultraviolet rays in the sun are relatively weak. If you wear too many layers, the ultraviolet rays will have difficulty penetrating the clothing to reach your skin. Therefore, try not to cover yourself up too much and choose loose, soft cotton clothing.
3. When sunbathing, you can wear a small hat with a brim. This is because some people have sparse hair and thin skull plates, making them less resistant to ultraviolet rays. A hat with a brim can protect your eyes.
4. Sunbathing through glass has little effect on calcium absorption. This is because glass absorbs the ultraviolet rays that are effective in absorbing calcium, so sunbathing through glass is essentially useless.
5. Don't sunbathe for too long, about half an hour is enough. Or you can sunbathe for a while and then go to the shade of a tree to cool off before sunbathing again. Be especially careful not to get sunburned when the sunlight is strong.
6. When sunbathing in winter, it is best to wear red clothes, because the red radiation waves can quickly absorb the highly damaging short-wave ultraviolet rays.
7. Bathing washes away 7-dehydrocholesterol, a material in the skin that synthesizes active vitamin D, and reduces the effect of sunlight on calcium absorption. Therefore, avoid bathing before or after sun exposure.
8. Avoid eating photosensitive foods such as mustard greens, lettuce, snails, shrimp, crabs, and clams before sun exposure to prevent photosensitive drug eruptions or photodermatitis.
9. Sunbathing your hands and feet can dispel cold and benefit your joints. Sunbathing your back can dispel cold from the spleen and stomach, help improve digestion, and also clear the meridians in your back, which is beneficial to the heart and lungs.
10. In sunlight, pores are open, making it easier to absorb moisture when returning to a cool, damp indoor environment, which can lead to a cold. Unless your room is very warm, remember to wear extra layers.
11. After sun exposure, you should replenish moisture promptly by washing your face and applying moisturizer to prevent your skin from becoming too dry and causing skin problems.
12. Because the outdoor light is strong while the indoor light is relatively dim, the eyes may have difficulty adjusting and experience blurred vision. To prevent blurred vision, it is best to take a few minutes to look at a dark place before entering the room.
13. For the elderly and those with weak constitutions, it is best to choose the half hour after sunrise in Gaogaodong as the starting time for sunbathing. At this time, the air is moist and fresh, and the sunlight is warm and gentle.
14. Even in winter, more sun exposure is not necessarily better. It is advisable to choose the golden hours before 10 am and after 3 pm and sunbathe for 30 to 60 minutes every day.
15. A normal sunbathing time should be 1-2 hours. Initially, only sunbathe for a few minutes, gradually increasing the time. Never sunbathe for one or two hours on your first try; always proceed gradually, otherwise you are more likely to catch a cold. If you notice your skin turning red, excessive sweating, or your pulse accelerating, stop immediately.
16. Eating cod liver oil and calcium-rich foods before sunbathing will improve calcium absorption. Foods rich in calcium include milk, kelp, dried shrimp, fish, beans, peanuts, sesame seeds, and vegetables.
