By Clara and Justin Hamel
Oh! … these gorgeous, sunny days that stretch out before us, full of promise and warmth. Just stepping out your door and taking a few short moments to bask in that morning sunshine can bring renewed invigoration for the day and put a little more pep in your step. No doubt about it, sunshine is powerful. In fact, it is life-sustaining, influencing everything from our vitality to our biology. It helps keep us functioning and well. After all, no sunshine equals no life.
From the earliest recorded history, civilizations have recognized the profound influence of light. Across the span of human existence, it has been associated with life, healing and divinity. For example, the Egyptian god, Ra, embodied the sun in Ancient Egypt and was central to belief and daily life. The Greeks, meanwhile, honored the sun through Helios. Later philosophical traditions increasingly linked sunlight to clarity, health and vitality. In ancient India, sunlight was revered through Surya, the sun deity, and early Ayurvedic traditions emphasized daily exposure to natural light as part of maintaining balance in the body.
Similarly, early medical systems embraced the value of light with Hippocrates recommending sun exposure for certain ailments, and in ancient Rome, public bathhouses and open courtyards were designed to maximize access to sunlight for both hygiene and health. More recently, Florence Nightingale advocated for direct sunlight to aid the recovery of wounded soldiers, emphasizing that light is essential for healing. And in 1903, Danish physician Dr. Niels Finsen received a Nobel Prize for using concentrated light to treat diseases such as lupus vulgaris.
Unfortunately, we have recently drifted away from what was once the seemingly intuitive recognition of the healing power of the sun. Currently, sun exposure is often emphasized as a health risk. However, it is estimated to account for a very small portion of overall disease. In contrast, low sunlight exposure has been linked to widespread health issues like vitamin D deficiency, increased risk of osteoporosis, autoimmune disease and other serious health concerns. This information suggests that too little sun may pose an even broader health concern.
Of course, this is not to suggest you slather on the baby oil and rotate yourself like a rotisserie in the sun, but it is to indicate the importance of balancing both the risks and the benefits rather than leaning too far in either direction. The positive effects of the sun on circadian rhythm, neurotransmitters and immune function should not be ignored. The goal is to work intentionally to get enough exposure to support your biology while staying mindful of duration, timing and protection. You can do this by soaking in around 20 minutes of rays in the early morning or early evening hours. Consistency is key, as regular exposure optimizes benefits. Taking short morning or early evening walks, drinking your coffee or tea outside in the sunshine, doing a little early morning yard work or just finding a sunny little spot to relax are all great ways to ensure sufficient exposure.
It is time to rediscover something ancient. Light is a powerful partner in human health, and when utilized with balance and awareness, it remains one of the simplest tools we have for supporting both body and mind.
* Dr. Justin Hamel and Clara Hamel have a combined over 30 years of experience in health fields. Reach them at 1° Performance & Longevity, located at 46 N. Central Park Plz., Suite 101, in Jacksonville, on Facebook or by phone at 217-243-6358.
