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For decades, we have been shying away from the sun, given its ties to skin cancer, premature aging and for some, skin darkening. But a growing body of scientific research suggests that completely shunning sunlight is a bad idea. Quite the reverse, our body and mind need soak up some sunshine every day! Here are some of the biggest benefits…

1. It influences mood. The sun works through a number of receptors in the brain to affect our mental status and alertness. Moderate sunlight exposure helps improve your mood and focus by boosting the serotonin levels in your body. Also known as the 'happiness hormone', it makes you calm and alert. Also, sunlight decreases the risk of depression in those at risk of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
2. It improves sleep. Science behind this is quite simple. The brighter your daylight exposure, the more melatonin you produce at night. Melatonin is a type of hormone that's produced by the pineal gland in the brain during darkness at night. Also known as the sleep hormone, melatonin has a range of effects on the brain, from improving sleep to synchronizing your biological clocks, and lowering stress reactivity. Additionally, the amount of daylight exposure you get is crucial in maintaining a normal circadian rhythm that in turn influences mood.
3. Reduces stress. Melatonin also lowers stress reactivity and being outside will help your body naturally regulate melatonin, which can help reduce your stress level. Additionally, because you're often doing something active when you’re outside (walking, playing, etc.), that extra exercise also helps to lower stress.
4. It promotes bone growth. Vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and is essential for bone growth and formation. Since sunlight is a primary source of Vitamin D, the hormone is also dubbed as 'the sunshine vitamin'. The Vitamin D found in our body needs activation. The sun helps to convert inactive Vitamin D levels to active. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face twice or thrice a week is enough to reap the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun.
5. It helps strengthen the immune system. Vitamin D is also very important in signaling the immune system. It is necessary in adequate amounts to turn on your ability to survey cells in the body. Since regular sun exposure is one of the most robust ways to up active Vitamin-D levels in your body, it can help beef up your immune system as well.
6. It lowers blood pressure. High blood pressure is a lifestyle condition. According to a recent study conducted by researchers at the Edinburgh University, moderate exposure to the sun's UV rays can cause a significant drop in blood pressure levels. Lower blood pressure levels help cut down the risk of stroke and heart disease.
7. It promotes weight loss. Latest research reveals that basking in morning sunshine can reduce body fat and help you shed those extra pounds. The study suggests that as little as 20 to 30 minutes of early morning sun exposure is sufficient for you to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI) and trim your waistline.

Sunshine is not just about getting Vitamin D. It is much more; it is said that Sunshine can impact more than 1500 systemic processes inside a human body! Studies have shown that students who get more sunlight every day perform better in tests and a strong link between workplace daylight exposure and the employees' sleep, activity and quality of life.

Go on. Soak up some Sun!

p.s. Don’t toss away your sunscreen and hit the beach. Protect yourself if you’re going to be outside for more than 15 minutes with a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater.