Ahhhh, spring at last! The last snowstorm felt like Old Man Winter telling us, “I’m still here!” but soon he’ll be gone for a couple of seasons. And so once again we venture outside. We start digging our garden supplies out of storage, firing up our lawn mowers, and putting the snowblowers away. It feels so good to get outside and feel fresh air and sunshine on our skin. Even better is that there are several health benefits of sunlight and fresh air.
Did you know our bodies’ biological rhythms are attuned to sunlight? And if you get too much light late at night, it messes with your sleep? And not enough lowers your energy, your mood, and your vitality? That’s just one of the natural cycles that can be thrown off by indoor living, which, unfortunately, is all too common for us Minnesotans in the colder months. By getting outside into natural sunlight, you can restore those natural rhythms and reinvigorate your body and your health.
Not only is a boost in vitamin D3 production one of the health benefits of sunlight, but the infrared in sunlight actually improves the energy levels in your mitochondria. This means your cells’ powerhouses are more powerful. If you aren’t getting enough D3 through sunlight and you take a D3 supplement, try to take it between 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. to mimic the effect of sunlight on your body. Taking it too late can affect your sleep.
Another of the health benefits of sunlight is that is has a positive effect on your mood. It actually raises serotonin and endorphins in your bloodstream. It also reduces melatonin, so you feel more awake. Don’t worry about enjoying a beautiful sunset, though, as the sunlight weakens as the sun goes down. In addition, the beautiful red in the sunsets actually tells your brain to start producing melatonin at the right time.
And how about that fresh air? Indoor air typically has 2-5 times the levels of pollutants as outdoor air, sometimes up to 100 times more. Additionally, outdoor air contains about .04% carbon dioxide, while indoor air is up to .15%. While this may not seem like much, your brain registers this difference and it changes how much you breathe. That is one of the many reasons you feel more alive when you are outdoors. So get outside and breathe deep!
What about exercise? Running, biking, and walking all bring major health benefits to your mind and body. Recent research shows that a special kind of exercise called “Zone 2” is the best for health and longevity. Zone 2 is when you exercise and you can still maintain a conversation, but it is a little tough to do so. It tells your body to strengthen itself for future challenges and stressors. That way, when something does challenge you, you are prepared. Whether that stressor is a bad event, an illness, or even an infection, your body’s defenses are ready to go. You don’t have to do a triathlon (although that is a great goal to set for yourself and Fairmont hosts one every summer that I’ve participated in a few times!) but set some attainable goal for the summer and start now. Walking three miles, biking 5-10 miles, even pickleball will improve your health, your mood, and your resilience.
So, get outside, enjoy the best time of the year in Minnesota, and soak in all of the health benefits of sunlight. The warmer months go by all too fast, as we all know. It is the season of feeling great, and you deserve it!
Dr. Burtis, D.C., M.S., CFMP, DACBN, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 35 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.