The 6 surprising ways the heatwave is GOOD for your health
BRITS are set to bake today as temperatures in some parts are expected to reach 39C.
Wearing sun cream, a big floppy hat and drinking plenty of water can help us stay safe during the warm weather.
Forecasters predict that the UK could be hotter than the Sahara in the next few days.
The heatwave is here to stay for the weekend and will remain into Monday and Tuesday next week.
But while it’s important to stay protected during the heatwave, experts have revealed that soaring temperatures can be good for your health.
Lifestyle medicine and wellbeing coach Joie Risk says being out in the sunshine could in fact improve your overall health and has highlighted six ways the sunshine could improve your wellbeing.
1. Lowers blood pressure
Researchers found that a compound that helps to reduce blood pressure – nitric oxide – is released into blood vessels once light touches the skin.
The findings from experts at the University of Edinburgh is prominent because it banishes the notion that sunlight only stimulates vitamin D production.
Joie, who is the managing director of Sunlighten UK said: “By lowering blood pressure, sunlight also cuts the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
“In this way, sun exposure does not only improve people’s health but prolongs their lives.”
2. Sleep more soundly
Many people tossing and turning last night due to the heat may find it unthinkable that the warm weather can help you sleep better.
Joie said that sunlight striking the eyes sends a message to the brain’s pineal gland to shut down the production of melatonin.
This is the hormone that assists in sleep by making people drowsy and when it is overproduced during the day, people experience lower levels of the hormone at night.
Joe added: “Sunlight exposure helps to prevent this.
“Forego sunglasses in the early morning so that the brain and body receive the message that daylight is here and melatonin is no longer needed.”
3. Improves your mood
Most people love to be out in the sun as it trips the release of serotonin and endorphins which are linked to overall calm, less depression and happier moods.
According to Joie, people simply notice they feel better when the body’s system responds to the sun.
She added: “Seasonal Affective Disorder is also believed to have a link to a lack of sunlight.
“This form of depression comes when a lack of sun exposure causes a person’s serotonin levels to dip low.
“There are a number of studies tying sun exposure to the treatment of mild depression as well as to alleviating the systems of moderate to severe depression.”
4. Soak up vitamin D
During the last few months we have all heard how important it is to include vitamin D in our diets.
When people spend more time outside they are allowing their body to absorb vitamin D.
It’s essential for a number of reasons including the fact that it strengthens your bones and helps your complexion.
Joie said that vitamin D is also related to losing belly fat.
“The higher the levels of this vitamin prior to starting a plan for weight reduction, the greater the likelihood for success, according to one study.
“Vitamin D improvement can also be connected to fending off type 2 diabetes.
“Many windows block UVB wavelengths, which prevents the synthesis of the vitamin, so people do need to go outside for the rays to work their magic.”
5. Controls depression and appetite
A lack of sunlight is tied to depression and depression is linked to both an increase and decrease in appetite.
Joie said sunlight can positively affect the appetite by working with the hypothalamus part of the brain that controls hunger.
“It works along with serotonin and aids in relieving hunger. Because of sunlight deficiency causing a drop in serotonin levels, a feeling of fullness sometimes cannot be achieved.
“Thus, exposure to sunlight can assist in controlling your appetite”, she added.
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6. Boosts your immune system
Exposure to sunlight can help if you have an overactive immune system.
When staying safe in the sun and exposure is in moderation it can be extremely helpful to the immune system, Joie adds.
“This is why sunlight is sometimes used to treat such autoimmune diseases as psoriasis.
“White blood cells also increase with sunlight exposure.
“These play a prominent role in fighting off diseases and defending the body when at risk of infection.”