Top Benefits Of Spending More Time In The Sunshine
Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, MD, Chief Medical Officer Well & Being Spa
Good news, sunshine is in the forecast in Scottsdale, Arizona! Though the sun sometimes gets a bad rep for prematurely aging our skin and causing skin cancer, there are actually some big benefits to spending time (safely) in the sun.
Here’s a list of some of the key benefits that hopefully will inspire you to find the nearest sun patch and spend some time outside.While staying socially responsible of course.
Before you head out the door, remember when it comes to sun exposure, moderation is key, but don't forget to protect your skin with a good SPF when you're soaking up those rays!
Sun Gives Your Immune System A Boost
Skin reacts to the sun's ultraviolet-B radiation by creating vitamin D, which the immune system needs a good amount of to function properly. Brief, repeated exposures to the sun are best for making vitamin D. While social distancing may make it more challenging, try to find times earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon to add outdoor time to your day. Find the nearest sun patch, walk around your neighborhood or spend some time in the yard on weekends. Fairmont Scottsdale is lucky to have 65 acres of wide-open spaces of lush lagoons, cactus and fragrance gardens and secluded outdoor relaxation spaces to make social distancing in the sun simpler than ever.
Sun Gives You Increased Happiness
That warm feeling you get when you're stepping out of the air conditioning and into the sun is your body thanking you. Research has found that sunshine increases serotonin which can help alter moods in the brain. Translation: get up and look for some light—as long as it comes from the sun, not the ceiling.
Sun Provides The Similar Effects Of A Workout
The sun has proven to make you healthier not just emotionally, but physically as well. The sun has a beneficial effect on the cardiovascular system, releasing nitric oxide from the skin into the circulation, dilating blood vessels and gently lowering blood pressure. Bonus: Try to fit in a new workout in the sun! From sunrise tai chi to sunset yoga to a mid-day dip swimming laps at Sonoran Landing pool, Fairmont Scottsdale is developing new social distancing approved workouts coming soon!
Sun Helps You Sleep Better
Catching some rays during the day keeps your circadian rhythm on schedule. Sun increases serotonin, which is responsible for how we fall asleep and sleep throughout the night. Even a well-timed stroll in the sun during a lunch break will provide that serotonin boost that can make the night less restless and the next day more refreshing. And don't forget, this is a wonderful family activity! Babies need their Vitamin D as well to get the most out of their nap and nighttime sleep schedules.
Sun Gives Your Skin A Glow- And Not From A Tan
Yes, really. We often think about how the sun can damage skin, but for those with certain skin conditions, the sun can actually be a kind of medicine. A little bit of sun does wonders for improving certain skin conditions, like acne and eczema. But even for those who don't have specific skin issues, taking in a few UV rays (in moderation) can give you a healthy glow.
Sun Reduces Certain Health Risks
People with higher exposure to the sun's rays tend to recover from serious health problems, even certain types of cancer, at higher rates than those with a low exposure. The sun also plays a role in bone health and helps reduce the chances of bone-related diseases.
Sunny Escapes In Scottsdale
Scottsdale, Arizona has been ranked the #1 best city in the U.S. to quarantine by career resource site Zippia. Based on average apartment size, amount of parkland per person, percent of residents with broadband internet and number of takeout options. Add in the 333 days of sunshine every year, 750 newly renovated guest rooms, six sparkling pools, championship golf courses and multiple award-winning restaurants, and the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess is an ideal vacation destination. Fairmont Scottsdale is also committed to the wellbeing of our guests during these times. In response to COVID-19, our AAA Five Diamond resort has created the ALLSAFE program.
About Dr. Tieraona Low Dog
Well & Being's team of world-class spa and wellness experts are led by Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, whose extensive career in the study of natural medicine, and its role in modern health care, began more than 35 years ago. Dr. Low Dog studied midwifery and massage therapy, as well as herbalism. She served as President of the American Herbalist Guild and ran a teaching clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico before going on to receive her doctorate degree from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. Tieraona opened and ran a successful integrative medical clinic in Albuquerque before joining the faculty of the Arizona Center for Integrative Medicine at the University of Arizona where she served as the Director of Fellowship from 2005-2015. Tieraona has recently authored three National Geographic books, Healthy at Home and Life is Your Best Medicine and co-authored the Guide to Medicinal Herbs. She serves on numerous editorial/advisory boards, and has appeared on E!, ABC's 20/20, CNN, and is a frequent guest on the Dr. Oz show and NPR's The People's Pharmacy.