Are You Living Well?

According to womens health wellness, it’s OK to go outside! It actually contributes to us living well!

I’ve seen her hundreds of times – but I’m not actually sure what she looks like.

I live near the ocean and so does she.  I see her walking along the beach a few times a week.  It doesn’t matter if it’s hot outside, she always wears a hat with a white scarf around her face peering through big dark sunglasses.  She’s always in long white pants and long white sleeves – and even white gloves!  Not only do I NOT know what she looks like, I’m not actually sure of the color of her skin!

It’s possible that she has a skin condition and her doctor has advised this protection.  But her appearance reminds me that we have become fearful of exposure to direct sunlight!

Yes, getting a sunburn is a bad thing.  No, there is no healthy reason to attempt to drastically change the color of our skin by excessive tanning.  But somewhere along the way, we’ve gotten the idea that exposure to sunlight causes skin cancer and creates wrinkles! Womens health wellness is here to tell you that not only is it good for our spirits to get a little sunshine every day, it’s actually VERY good for our health.  The sun assists us in living well!  Here  are a few reasons to put a little sunshine in your day.

Most multi-vitamin formulas have the USD (daily value) of vitamin D which is 400 international units (IU).  And yet adults will use 3,000 to 5,000 units of vitamin D per day (if it is available in our bodies).  Vitamin D provides powerful protection against cancer, heart disease, and diabetes - not to mention dozens of other conditions. It also improves energy metabolism, builds immunity, increases muscle strength and coordination, and boosts brain function.  It is one of the most potent health-promoting substances in the world – but obviously, 400 units is not enough.  So where do we get more?  We make it.  Vitamin D aids us in living well.

As you may already know, our bodies will produce Vitamin D from sunlight.  Vitamin D supplements are available, but the best form is the stuff we make for free in our own bodies!  

In addition, a little sunshine can change our mood.  We feel more motivated, energized, happier and positive when we are exposed to the sun.  We can see the mind body connection at play here.   The sun nourishes our physical and emotional wellness, and our spiritual wellness.  We are really living well when these aspects of ourselves are all positively engaged.

So go for a walk in the sun every day.  A couple of 15 minute walks per day is ideal – and not just for our bodies.  It’s also good for the soul.  When at work, take a quick walk at lunchtime.  And maybe go for a brisk walk during a break.  With a little planning, it’s possible to get out a couple of times a day.  A little “Sun Worship” is good for your health and your happiness. Now that's what womens health wellness calls living well!

Editors Note:  If you would like to see how this relates to your overall womens health wellness, please check out our articles on glycemic index and carbohydrate sensitivity.