Sun Exposure: Enjoy the Benefits with Protection

With the summer in full swing, it is a lot more fun to get outside and reap the benefits of sun exposure. Although it is really important to stay protected while outdoors there are some really important health benefits to enjoying the sun that we should all be taking advantage of.

Moderate sun exposure does not have to be a lot. It could be the daily walk to your favourite coffee shop to meet up with friends or have a few hours to yourself to work. It could be gardening out back to make sure your garden is weed free. Maybe you have a furbaby that makes getting out daily easy, but those few minutes will help you in more ways than one.

Benefits of Sun Exposure

Sunlight is a great way to naturally get our daily dose of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps our body regulate calcium and maintain phosphorus levels in the blood, both of which are very important for maintaining healthy bones. Vitamin D also helps our bodies absorb calcium in the intestines. Although you could take a supplement daily as little as 5-15 mins a few times a week will be enough to keep your bodies vitamin D supplies well supplied.

One of the biggest benefits of sun exposure though is to your mental health with the production of serotonin– the happy neurotransmitter. Personally, I notice that when the winter weather hits and the days are shorter I can almost guarantee that I will be hit with a bout of SAD, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder. I need to remember that when the sun hits your retina it sends cues to your body to release serotonin, which in turn makes you happy. Allow happy in by heading outdoors, if only for a bit.

Even though the sun is known to cause skin cancer it is also a huge proponent in keeping other cancers at bay. Cancers like colon, Hodgkin’s lymphoma, ovarian, pancreatic and prostate are less likely to affect people who have more sunlight exposure.

More Sun Means Banana Boat® Simply Protect™ Sport Sunscreen Spray

While moderate sun exposure is beneficial you are going to want to protect yourself if you are heading out for longer. My favourite lately is the Banana Boat® Simply Protect™ Sport Sunscreen Spray – Available in SPF 50+. Its spray application makes the lightweight formula quickly and easily absorbed and I love that Banana Boat has not added any oils or fragrances to the formula.

Whether we are out at the cottage soaking in every last drop of sunlight or out at the splash pad letting the kids burn off all that energy putting on the water and sweat-resistant (up to 80 mins) formula protects us from both UVA and UVB rays all while having 25% fewer ingredients and no oxybenzone.

Available in SPF 50+ and in both a lotion and spray format head to your fave retailer to pick your up. Head on over to the Banana Boat website to learn more about their products and to find one that is suitable for your families needs.

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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