I have a confession:
I knocked off early today for the sole purpose of spending time in the sun. What bothers me is that I feel more guilty about purposefully being in the sun than I do about leaving work early.
So much has changed! As a child of the 80′s we loved everything in excess. 
Big hair, big shoulder pads, big attitudes and BIG TANS. Big real tans. None of that faux stuff.
The closest thing to faux tanning we had was QT. I think it stood for Quick Tan…It may have actually stood for Quick Terracotta. Because the orange celebrities of today have nothing on those of us who tried QT.
Remember When the Sun Seemed so Good?
So, we were left with the sun. How could it be wrong? The sun helped sustain life, ancient civilizations prayed to it and it just made us happy. I quickly became a sun worshiper. Actually, let’s say “sun enthusiast,” it makes me sound less fanatical.
As I’ve written before, this enthusiasm led to an adulthood of facial sun damage. For 10 years I’ve avoided the sun like a vampire. Broad spectrum SPF 30+ for face and neck–always. And normally sunscreen on the exposed parts of my body as well. No tanning booths. No laying out in natural sun.
However, my skin damage remains virtually the same as it looked 10 years ago. I’ve gotten it slightly under control with serums and creams…but I can still see it.
I Missed the Sun.
In the meantime I’ve missed the sun so much. This summer I began to question my situation. Could a little bit be that bad? I’ve read books on Vitamin D recently that claim many people are now deficient in this nutrient that can easily be obtained from just minutes in the sun.
Please don’t think I’m ignoring the cancer risks. I am very aware. However, my question is: Could a little sun be alright?
In a previous post, we published the results of a preliminary study which suggest Vitamin D may aid in weight loss. It also aids in the absorption of Calcium, which in turn helps keep our teeth and bones strong. Some studies even suggest Vitamin D deficiencies can lead to the formation of certain types of cancer.
What do you Think?
This summer I’ve decided to start getting a little sun again. 10 years without has been too long. But I still feel guilty about it. Should I? What do you think? Is limited sun exposure (while using sunscreen) healthy or harmful? I’d love your feedback!
For More Information:
The Healing Sun: Sunlight and Health in the 21st Century
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Spending time under the sun is healthy! As long as it’s done responsibly, right? Our bodies need sun for many reasons, with vitamin D just being one! It’s like drinking a glass of red wine; it’s good for the heart and has many other health benefits. But drinking the entire bottle in an evening is an entirely different story.
I can’t lie, I love the sun. It helps my mood and I should probably hide from it more often but I just can’t help it haha
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I think tanning is increasingly dangerous,
but I agree that some sun is important for our
bodies and minds.
I’m envious of my girlfriends who have porcelain skin!
They will age well and have a lower risk of certain cancers.
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Don’t forget that with the thinning of the ozone layer, the sun’s rays become that much stronger and can burn faster and deeper than when we were kids!
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I go ten min a day no sunscreen in the sun.
Vit D is a GREAT flu fighter!
And the sun is the best way to get it.
It’s the only vitamin we were made to ingest
so the sun is the BEST way.
I totally agree with your article and thank you
for writing it.
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A little sun with sunscreen is healthy and good for your bones. My doctor told me to get at least 15 minutes a day of sun to help combat my osteoporosis (at 32 if you can believe!) Make sure you get your sun while your shadow is shorter than you. Once it becomes taller, it’s time to go in because that is when the UV rays are at the highest levels. Besides a little sun bring HAPPINESS to the soul and that can’t be a bad thing.
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