bright rays of sunlight in a woodland forest with the light coming through the trees

7 Reasons Why Daylight Benefits Us

March 29, 2023

What Does Chris Martin Have to Do with Clocks?

No, it’s nothing to do with the Coldplay song ‘Clocks’… It is the fact that great-great-grandfather of Coldplay singer Chris Martin, William Willett, was an early promoter of British Summer Time. He published a pamphlet in 1907 titled “The Waste of Daylight”, which suggested changing the clocks in the spring and putting them back in the autumn. Unfortunately, he passed away a year before seeing the bill’s fruition in 1915. (1)

Why Do the Clocks Change, really?

The clocks go forward for the summer because of a campaign began by Chris’s relative William Willet at the start of the 20th century in a practice known as British Summer Time.

By changing the clocks during the summer, the original campaign sought to provide people living in the northern hemisphere with more use of the earlier daylight hours. There are several reasons why we still practice it such as, reducing energy consumption, longer evenings to support leisure and tourism, allowing for more outdoor exercise and reducing road accidents.

About 70 countries have some form of daylight saving time, but it varies from region to region. (2)

7 Reasons Why Daylight Benefits Us

From our immune systems to our sleep cycles and our mental wellbeing, access to sunlight is crucial for living a healthy life. Human bodies and brains are designed to function during the day and rest at night (3). Getting daylight is good for us (note: not screen or artificial light), and here are 7 reasons why…

Improves sleep and circadian rhythm

Research indicates getting natural light first thing in the morning will help you to sleep better, and it is no surprise that the very thing that gave us all life (the Sun) is the one to regulate our bodies daily. Daylight regulates your circadian rhythm by telling your body when to increase and decrease your melatonin levels (hormone that helps us to sleep). So, the more daylight exposure you can get, the better your body will produce melatonin when it’s time to go to sleep.(4)

Strengthens the immune system

During sleep (more with more daylight), our body makes cytokines, antibodies, and immune cells. Together, these molecules help to prevent us from becoming poorly by destroying harmful germs, fighting infection and inflammation. Research shows that when we are deprived of sleep, it can inhibit our immune response. Plus, with sunshine is Vitamin D (more on this in point 4). (5)

Enhances our mood

You may have noticed that when you are in the sunshine, sitting outside in it, or seeing it out of your window… your mood is largely improved. Well, there is some science to this. When sunlight enters your eyes, it stimulates the parts of your retina that then cue your brain to produce serotonin. Serotonin appears to play a role in regulating mood, emotions, appetite, and digestion. (6,7)

Provides us with plenty of Vitamin D

It’s well known that one of the best (and easiest) ways to get vitamin D is by being outside (easier now that the clocks have changed and the weather is improving). Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight—about 15 minutes in the sun a day is adequate if you’re fair skinned. Vitamin D is great for our immune system, as well as helping your body to maintain calcium.Without adequate vitamin D, the body absorbs no more than 10% to 15% of dietary calcium. (8)

Reduces stress (lowers cortisol levels)

In a 1992 study, Swedish researchers compared students in classrooms with windows and students studying under only fluorescent lights. They found that students without daylight produced less of a hormone that helps the body deal with stress and infection. (9). Additionally, more recently scientists have established that workers in windowless offices are less happy, less healthy and more stressed than their colleagues with steady sources of daylight.(10)

Weight loss and lower BMI

Getting in the morning sunshine can reduce body fat and help you lose weight. One study suggests that as little as 20 to 30 minutes of early morning sun exposure is sufficient for you to lower your Body Mass Index (BMI), a measure that considers weight and height(11). According to another study, adults who get sunlight early in the day are more likely to have a lower BMI. After controlling for sleep time, the association between a lower BMI and morning light was still significant in studies, meaning that the connection between morning sun and staying slim wasn't just due to better sleep. (12)

Decreases risk of health conditions

According to the World Health Organization, the annual disease burden of approximately 3.3 billion life years around the globe might result from low levels of sun exposure (13). Some conditions that may increase with lack of sunlight include high blood pressure, obesity, cancers, psoriasis, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.(14)

Consuming nutritious foods, managing your stress levels, and getting enough sleep and exercise on a regular basis are the most important ways to support your immune system.

Research has also indicated that specific vitamins and bioactive plant compounds can help your immune system all year round too, which are included in iüProtect plus SoluSmart® to provide high absorption.

Curcumin
Vitamin D
Quinine
Resveratrol
Ginger

In summary, iüProtect helps your immune system meet the challenges it faces each day – including colds and other viruses. (Ideally make, shake, and drink your iüProtect in the morning before starting your day!)

Get 40% off a trial pack of iüProtect here. If you are already loving iüProtect, why not refer a friend by clicking here!

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