Here comes the sun

Sunshine won't just lift your spirits. Turns out this therapeutic tool has benefits for your bones, heart and immunity as well as your mood!

- WORDS by SARAH MARINOS

We all know the importance of taking care of our skin when we are outside. Once the UV Index reaches 3 or higher, it's time to put on sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat to reduce the risk of skin cancer – a disease that impacts two in three Australians during their lifetime.

But the sun isn't all bad news. As long as we do it safely, spending a little time in the sunshine may even give our mind and body a boost. "There's evidence that there are benefits from being in the sun, including the production of vitamin D," says Sally Blane, the Deputy Chair of the Cancer Council's National Skin Cancer Committee. "We don't want people to avoid the sun, but we want them to be safe when they are enjoying it. Australia does have the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, and it's UV radiation that causes skin cancer.

"Even on cooler days, the UV level can be high. Australians love being outdoors and they enjoy the sun, but enjoy it safely."

Better bones

One of the key benefits of spending some time in the sun is replenishing our body's store of vitamin D, which helps maintain strong bones. Around 67 per cent of Australian men and women over the age of 50 have poor bone health, and by 2033 there will be the equivalent of one fracture every 30 seconds across the country.

"Vitamin D is needed to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which support healthy bones, from the intestine," explains Professor Peter Ebeling, Chair of Healthy Bones Australia.

"Vitamin D also supports the growth and maintenance of our skeleton and regulates calcium levels in the blood."

Most Australians only need to spend short bursts of time in the sun to produce enough vitamin D, as little as five to 10 minutes during summertime and 30 minutes to an hour in winter, for about four times a week.