Added: 02/21/2006 |
Why it is important to sunbathe.The sun has been revered for thousands of years as a symbol of life, strength, and prosperity. Without it, life would not exist on Earth. We rely on its warmth and its light every day.
One of the natural effects of the sun on our bodies is the tanning process. Ultraviolet light from the sun stimulates the melanin in your skin, causing the pigment to darken, thus producing that "tan" appearance. And this is the reason to sunbathe.
The topic of the benefits of sunlight versus its detrimental effects - such as ageing and skin cancer - is a war waging and a mess of contradictions at the moment. You have probably read headlines like "Sunscreen creams don't work" and "Skin cancer on the increase". We will present the facts for you to get a broader picture and to enable you to reap the benefits from sunlight without the dangers.
To sunbathe, in moderation, is good for you! Regular, moderate tanning improves physical and mental health in many ways. Sunlight produces more energy, improves heart and lung functions, boosts blood oxygen levels, provides better muscle tone, even reduces cholesterol. Sunlight attracts people to sunbathe and helps humans produce vitamin D in their skin, just like other living beings. It even CUTS cancer risks, dramatically. Tanning helps you fight breast, prostate, and colo-rectal cancers, among others. Tanning even prevents or reverses the ravages of osteoporosis!
Lack of sunlight can cause depression (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and other mental illnesses. Lack of sun actually causes 10 times more sickness and death cases than too much sun could ever cause.
Of course, there are those who disagree to sunbathe and think we should all live in caves. These "Sunbusters" want you fear the sun. They say it causes deadly skin cancer. They are supposed to be doctors and scientists, but even the FDA admits that Tanning has never been shown to cause even one case of deadly skin cancer.
So, don't believe the lies told by Sunbusters. Can't get outdoor sun and your schedule to match up? Visit a tanning salon today!
Of course, to sunbathe in the sun can make your skin tan to a darker colour but this depends on skin type. However sitting out for too long without adequate protection will make the skin red, burn and even blister. Overexposure can also cause sunstroke leading to headaches, dizziness, fever and vomiting.
To prevent sunburn, apply a good sun protection cream before going out - not forgetting to protect lips, hands, ears and the back of the neck. A wide-brimmed hat and loose cotton clothing with long sleeves help protect the skin. There are special sun-protective outfits available for children, which include Legionaire's-style hats to protect the back of your child's neck. The sun is at its hottest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. so take extra care between these hours. Better still try and stay indoors. If you want to get a smooth tan do so very gradually. Start with about 15 minutes exposure and then increase the period by a few minutes each time you are going to sunbathe.
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