We in the Northwest don’t take the sun for granted – simply because we get so little of it, especially during the dark winter months. While this spring has been less than tropical, make sure to take advantage of that sunshine whenever possible!

Getting daily sun exposure is essential for good health, and here are a few reasons why:

Our bodies produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to sunlight. A staggering number of Americans have a deficiency of vitamin D, and this vitamin is very important in maintaining healthy bones, muscle integrity, warding off many kinds of internal cancers and Type 1 Diabetes.

Sunlight is a natural antidepressant and positively affects mood. This is why many people experience SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) and suffer depression during winter months.

Exposure to sunlight can help you sleep better, because it stimulates the pineal gland, which produces melatonin and plays a role in proper sleep (which is also very important for optimum health).

So next time you see Mr. Sun pop his head from behind the clouds, make sure to run outside and say hi for a few minutes! It’ll do wonders for more than just your tan!