What is the first thing you do when you wake up early in the morning? For majority of the people out it is hitting the snooze button and taking that few minutes nap :)
Time to consider catching up the early morning sun shine. In the ancient time practices like Sun gazing & Atapa Snana (Sun bathing) were common all over the world among all cultures and religions.
But in the modern world we are bombarded with paranoid messages about how dangerous the sun is. But with the deficiency of vitamin D becoming common and increasing conditions like weakness of muscles, bones, cancer, asthma, cardiovascular, Periodontal diseases and autoimmune Diseases. It is time to look out for the Sunshine, remembering how in the ancient times many cultures knew, how to use the sun to heal all kinds of illness, and bring about radiant health.
Safe Sun gazing Practice
Sun gazing is a simple practice which can be part of your lifetime. The practice entails looking at the rising or setting sun one time per day only during the safe hours. No harm will come to your eyes during the morning and evening safe hours. The safe hours are anytime within 1-hour window after sunrise or anytime within the 1hr window before sunset. It is scientifically proven beyond a reasonable doubt that during these times, one is free from UV and IR rays exposure, which is harmful to your eyes. To determine the timings of sunrise or sunset, you can check the local newspaper, which also lists the UV Index during that time. Both times are good for practice - it depends on individual's convenience.
Atapa Snana Practice
Meaning of 'Atapa Snana' is 'sunbathing', but as sunshine is not the same for all countries at all times. Therefore, it is not possible to fix the best time for sunbathing. Depending on the weather and the latitude of a country it can be decided. For example in place like Delhi in summers, a sunbath can be taken during summer until 10 am and during winter between noon and 2 pm.
During the sunbath, the diseases parts of the body are exposed to the sun's rays while the remaining parts are kept in the shade. When the affected area becomes hot after leaving it in the sun for fifteen to twenty minutes, it should be brought into the shade and should be messaged with cooling oil like Coconut for 15 to 20 minutes.
Benefits
Providing Vitamin A & D:
Sun gazing helps our eyes to get vitamin A during the 1 hour safe period window. Vitamin A is necessary for the health of the eye, the only vitamin that the eye requires. If you sun gaze, the spectacles and the associated power in the eye will go away and this will provide better eyesight without glasses. The best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply, that’s why it is also known as “Sunshine Vitamin”.
Vitamin D lowers the amount of cholesterol in blood and helps in heart problems. It also protects from many types of cancers. Sunlight stimulates body to produce vitamin D which gives strength to bones by increasing absorption of calcium in intestine. Studies suggest keeping face, hands and legs in contact with sunlight at least for 10 minutes every day to gain adequate Vitamin D. Today most cases of vitamin D deficiency are due to lack of outdoor sun exposure activities.
Strengthens Immune system :
Staying in sunshine enhances the generation of White Blood Cells (WBC) which kill germs like-bacteria and viruses. WBC also supports to fight against other toxic compounds in body and
boost our immunity. Sunshine increases oxygen carrying capacity of Red Blood Cells. So, it
prevents the body from various infections as well as diseases. The German solders used this discovery by Nobel Prize winner, Niels Finsen of using sunlight to disinfect and heal wounds in the WWI of 1903.
Gives resistance power to Skin:
While too much exposure of sunshine can lead to skin cancer, moderate amount of sunlight offers many merits to skin. Sunlight has a beneficial effect on skin disorders, such as Psoriasis, acne, eczema and fungal infections of the skin.
The Sun's rays Lower Blood pressure:
Sunlight is beneficial for hypertensive patients as it regulates blood circulation through dilating arteries. So that blood cells get more nutrition and oxygen. Exercising in sunshine fortifies heart and let it to rest more as heart pumps more blood into vessels. That signifies the reason of practicing Surya Namaskar in morning in Indian Yogic culture.
Excess Oxygen Supply:
Sunlight increases oxygen content in blood and it also enhances the body's capacity to deliver oxygen to the tissues. It is a similar to the effects of exercise. The sun has a great effect on stamina, fitness and muscular development.
Increases Metabolism:
Sun rays encourage thyroid gland which in turn speed up the body’s basal metabolism rate and utilizes large extent of calories. It helps to lose weight and strengthens muscles. At least 15 minutes sunbathe regularly can keep you healthy.
Helpful in Diabetes:
It has been found in a new study that enough introduction to sunshine and adequate amount of vitamin D play vital role in the prevention of type 2 diabetes in people. According to some researchers, sunlight also controls blood sugar level.
Increased Growth in Children:
Regular sunlight exposure increases the growth and height of children, especially babies. Many cultures throughout history have recognized this fact. Studies have shown the amount of sun exposure in the first few months has an effect on how tall the person grows.
Sunlight can cure depression:
Sunlight deprivation can cause a condition called seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a form of depression. It is more common in winter months, but also common in people who work long hours in office buildings.
Sterilize your Armpit:
A moderate expose to sunshine can be used to sterilize your armpits and eliminate the cause of most body odor.
So rather then being a generation deficient in Vitamin D due to fear of Sun. It is time to expose the body to the moderate yet powerfully healing exposure of Sun daily. If you are notable to enjoy the sun due to climatic condition, add a quality spectrum light bulb to a light source in your work area or in a lamp at home.
Enjoy the Sunshine :)
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