What happens if you lack sunlight

Why do We Need Sunlight? Is Sunlight Good for YOu? What Happens if you Don't get Enough Sunlight? Lack of Sun Exposure Symptoms Sunlight impacts a wide array of bodily functions including your sleep schedule, energy levels, mental health, and more. Irregular Sleep-Wake Cycle Circadian Rhythm Like we mentioned earlier, sunlight aids in the production of two hormones: serotonin and melatonin.

Low Energy and Productivity Did you know that sunlight contributes to how productive we are? Depression and Other Mental Illness Low levels of vitamin D have also been linked to depression, and serotonin deficiency can also be associated with low self-esteem, irritability, and a depressed mood.

Depression and Other Mental Illness For some people, the lack of sun in the winter months can cause them to feel depression and other mood changes during that season alone. Learn More About Seasonal Affective Disorder Seasonal Affective Disorder can be a difficult condition to have, resulting in poor sleep, low energy, and depleted mental health.

Our guide covers everything there is to know including: What is Seasonal Affective Disorder? Weaker Bones Like we mentioned earlier, vitamin D helps many functions of the bodywork properly. Weakened Immune System Our immune system helps us fight off infection and stay healthy. High Blood Pressure Other effects of a lack of sunlight, like insufficient sleep and depression, can cause our stress levels and blood pressure to rise.

Nearsightedness Looking directly into the sun can damage your eyes, but a lack of sunlight may also be bad for your eyesight. Higher Risk of Cancer Similarly, too much sunlight exposure can lead to skin cancer, but not enough sunlight can also put you at risk. How Much Sunlight is too Much? How Much Sunlight Per Day? What if You Can't Get Sunlight? How to compensate for a lack of sunlight Whether it be due to shift work, daylight savings, or living in an area with less sun, you may not always be able to get the amount of sun you need.

Bright Light Therapy Bright light therapy, put simply, is the process of exposing yourself to artificial light that mimics sunlight.

Learn More About the Importance of Sunlight Our ultimate guide to bright light therapy covers everything you need to know about this type of treatment including: The importance of sunlight How light therapy works Expert opinions And more! Vitamin-Rich Foods Eating foods rich in vitamins can help keep you in optimal health despite the lack of sun.

Exercise Exercise can help you prevent weight gain that light deprivation may cause , but it can also be a beneficial alternative in several other ways. Frequently Asked Questions. This is your Why is sunlight important? Do humans need sunlight? Can lack of sunlight make you sick?

About the Author. About Carex Health Brands. How to Organize Activities for the Elderly Although later life may seem to involve a lot of rest, health care, and medical support, there are other vital aspects to enjoying older years, including activities for senior citizens.

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Muscle weakness, bone pain, and deformity could contribute to weight gain by making it difficult to be active and burn off calories. Also, vitamin D and hormone leptin work together to control body weight. Vitamin D helps such signals get to the brain, and the deficiency of this vitamin might break the cycle. You can get Vitamin D from sunlight exposure and by maintaining a healthy diet. Make sure it includes fish swordfish, tuna, and salmon ; egg yolks and fortified foods such as milk, whole grain bread, unflavored yogurt, orange juices, and probiotic granolas.

Recent studies have shown that cognitive dysfunction and dementia are now on the long list of conditions caused by the vitamin D deficiency. Since its receptors are widespread in the brain tissue, low levels of it can increase the risk of cognitive decline among the elderly. In , there was a study including over 60, individuals and it helped determine that people living in northern latitudes have a significantly increased risk of developing dementia compared to those living in southern latitudes.

There are three main sources of vitamin D: solar UVB exposure, a healthy diet, and supplements. However, there are certain things that you should bear in mind to stay healthy. You already know the dangers of getting too much sun, but what you might not realise is that not getting enough could be bad for your health, too. Insufficient natural light can bring on gloomy moods. Whether you call it cabin fever, or seasonal affective disorder SAD , doctors often chalk up gloomy mood dips to lack of sunshine.

Catch a bit of sun, and your disposition could get sunnier, too. Here are some hidden signs of depression to watch out for. Along with encouraging the skin to manufacture vitamin D, sunshine supplies the important nutrient nitric oxide, which keeps your metabolism running smoothly and discourages binge eating.

These cancers include:. Doctors have recommended UV radiation exposure to treat:. Research studies have revealed preliminary links between sunlight as a potential treatment for several other conditions. These include:. However, more studies need to be conducted before researchers can conclude that sunlight can be a treatment for these and other conditions. While there are a lot of good reasons to get sun, the sun emits ultraviolet UV radiation. UV radiation can penetrate the skin and damage cell DNA.

This can lead to skin cancer. People with fair skin typically get a sunburn more quickly than those with darker skin. This usually takes place between 10 a. According to WHO , getting anywhere from 5 to 15 minutes of sunlight on your arms, hands, and face times a week is enough to enjoy the vitamin D-boosting benefits of the sun.

Note that the sun must penetrate the skin. You can do that by applying sunscreen with a sun protection factor SPF of at least Wearing a protective hat and shirt can also help.

From treating skin conditions to improving mood, sunlight has many benefits. If you live in higher latitudes with little sunlight, a light box may provide some of its mood-boosting benefits.

Produced in response to sunlight hitting your skin, Vitamin D helps keep your immune system in top shape.