Keep your face always toward the sunshine-and shadows will fall behind you. – Walt Whitman, American poet (1819-1892)

O, Sunshine! The most precious gold to be found on earth. – Roman Payne, Exiled American novelist (1977-)

We’ll sing in the sunshine. We’ll laugh every day. – Gale Garnett- singer, record released 1964

Last week was full of gray days and a lot of wind. Oh, how I yearned for sunshine. Winter is supposed to be somewhat dreary while all flora is at rest but day after day can take its toll. For just a second, I wondered about a tanning bed, maybe just a little dose; then I came to my senses realizing a tanning bed was out of the question. Those days are over, I promised myself and my dermatologist. But where was the sunshine? Sam viewed an upcoming weather report predicting sunshine would arrive in two more days. I would try to hold out. Sun exposure gets a bad rap but there are some benefits as well.

Vitamin D is important for bodily functions- controlling calcium, phosphorus, absorption, as well as building strong bones. Research shows just 15 minutes of direct sun on the face and arms a couple of times a week is sufficient. Any more time in the sun would require SPF sunscreen. I think after days of no sun 15 minutes over a couple of days would be fine. While I do take vitamin D supplements, just a few minutes in daily sun would feel wonderful.

The benefit I would enjoy the most would be having my serotonin levels increased. Sun does this for the body. A study on the effects of sunshine showed more impact on moods than rain, temperature, or other environmental factors. Probably a nice snowfall with sun rays reflecting off the snow may be equally as nice since it’s not very often we have snow and we can play in it.

There’s another benefit of sun exposure; remember always in moderation. Serotonin and melatonin seem to work together for a restful sleep. Our bodies prefer light in the day and dark in the night for maximum sleep patterns. Our bodies are fearfully and wonderfully made so that we have an internal clock called the “circadian rhythm.” This rhythm when based on exposure to light and dark regulates sleep-wake cycles, hormones, body temperature and other functions.

There’s more good stuff when you find yourself exposed to sunlight on the skin, the body releases nitric oxide into the blood, which lowers blood pressure. When your blood pressure lowers to an appropriate rate you feel better and have less chance of heart issues and stroke. Yea!

I have friends who use a light therapy lamp. The lamp has the same effects of sunlight for when you need it daily or prefer not to spend time in the sun. Sitting by the lamp for 15 to 60 minutes can have the same benefits as spending time in the sun. Heliotherapy is the word for treating medical conditions with light from the sun or simulated sun.

Sunlight is free, available to everyone, and has amazing benefits. I can’t wait to see the sun again. I might sing in the sunshine.

Shannon Bardwell is a writer living quietly in the Prairie. Email reaches her at [email protected].