Sunbathing?

[lou7401]

Didn't see any threads on this so I thought I'd bring it up. Does anyone follow the Eades recommendations for sunbathing? If so, do you think you are benefitting?

[Ottawa]

I likely go a little beyond that recommendation once I am 'tanned" enough not to burn with longer exposure. I definitely agree with it and miss teh healthy glow that seems to accompany more sunlight.
It may be just that I do so much more in the summer but my best weight loss is in summer as well. Part of that may come with the improved attitiude I get with more direct sunlight and I know that I am somewhat affected by SAD during the colder, shorter days of winter. Also the few studies on the effects of sun blocks have me using very little or none once I am "toned".

Having been quite large before PP I rarely wore clothes that let me take advantage of that and even wore a T-Shirt when swimming mainly from ther ebarrassment of picturing myself as a "Great White Whale" on the beach.:o

Now, with the hotter weather, except when teaching a class, I am in shorts and Cool Max most of the summer.

[banshee]

I was always one who avoided the sun because I'm fair skinned and can't wear sunblock. (I had a nasty allergic reaction to it - was told that in some people, being out in the sun could activate something in the sunblock. It gave me a rash that required treatment with high doses of steroids to get rid of!)

After reading what the Eades wrote about the sun, I now actively work to get sun year round. It was actually "work" for me to do, since the heat of being in the sun makes my tachycardia act up, but since I started doing this about a year ago I've noticed that my mood is better and my sleep has improved, in addition to finally getting a nice tan. I also love that I'm now able to spend a reasonable amount of time in the sun without worrying about getting burnt.

[lou7401]

Sounds like you really benefit from it! I feel that I have SAD in the late fall and winter and I think that some sun would really help.

I'm not clear on what to wear when sunbathing, can't seem to find that in the book. ARe we to expose as much surface area of the skin as possible or would shorts and T-shirt be OK? What about in the winter time - what do we wear then? What about tanning salons?

I think they should have elaborated a bit more in the book!! ;)

[Ottawa]

"Sounds like you really benefit from it! I feel that I have SAD in the late fall and winter and I think that some sun would really help.

I'm not clear on what to wear when sunbathing, can't seem to find that in the book. ARe we to expose as much surface area of the skin as possible or would shorts and T-shirt be OK? What about in the winter time - what do we wear then? What about tanning salons?

I think they should have elaborated a bit more in the book!! ;)"


Lou,

I can only answer from my experience. If in public you definitely have to wear some clothing. :rolleyes: ;)
I think our bodies are efficient enough that we can remain partially covered. I find we get so little sunshine when it is warm enough in the winter to not be fully bundled that I include some Vitamin D (http://www.healingtherapies.info/Sunlight&VitaminD.htm) with my suppliments. As well, as you age you are less efficient in producing this vitamin through exposure to sunlight.

[gitfiddle]

Lou, I believe I read that a child in the northern climates, all bundled up in warm clothing, can get enough vitamin D on an exposed face in ten minutes or so. Of course, I can't cite the source, but it made enough of an impression on me that I remembered that much.

I have been tanning gradually without sunblock for a couple of years and have not suffered a sunburn in that time. Since I don't usually have time to lay out on a lawn chair in a bathing suit, my uniform is shorts and a tee shirt or a tank top.

I also think that taking fish oil daily gives my skin a better tan and keeps it from drying out and flaking off. Even in the winter, eczema isn't the problem it used to be.

[cmcole]

http://www.newstarget.com/003069.html

http://www.bupa.co.uk/health_information/html/health_news/261103vitd.html

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s805444.htm
http://www.healingtherapies.info/Sunlight&VitaminD.htm
file:///C:/DOCUME%7E1/CONSTA%7E1/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/moz-screenshot.jpg

[gitfiddle]

Ah, thanks for the links, CM! They give an explanation of why not to use the sunblock.

[lou7401]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!! I love the sun, and I've been avoiding it for years. I'm going to start in small doses.

[Gaelen]

Sunbathing and mileage in sun exposure definitely varies by individual.

People on most types of chemotherapy regimens should NOT spend any length of time exposed to the sun while they are on the drugs, and for as long as 12 months after chemotherapy, no matter how good you think sunlight makes you feel. The drugs are sensitive to light, and their effectiveness is altered by exposure to light. In addition, the drugs alter your body's response to sunlight--you are more susceptible to heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and more susceptible to sunburn with even with very short exposure time. The lights that are recommended for correcting SAD (low light sensitivity) are recommended to people who've taken chemo drugs in lieu of direct exposure to sunlight.

From personal experience--pharmaceutical companies have to handle and administer test doses of the compounds which are light sensitive in low-light or 'yellow light' spectrum conditions. There have been significant reductions in drug-associated side effects noted when the test animals are kept in rooms with low-light conditions. My last chemo treatment ended June 16--I am STILL extremely heat-sensitive, and I can't spend any length of time outside (even on cloudy days) without sun protection. I have gotten heat exhaustion and sunburn (even while wearing sunblock) if I disregard those cautions.

You can get the Vit-D associated benefits of being in the sun from exposing only face and hands to the sun during 10-15 minutes of outdoor activity. You can NOT get the same 'benefits' from tanning beds. And if you have taken chemotheraphy or any other light sensitive drugs (many acne meds, some ADHD meds), you should NOT consider yourself 'safe' for any level of sun exposure for at least 12 months after your last dose of the drugs.

[deirdra]

I am fair & freckled but have built up my "tan" (freckles on a beige background) very slowly over the summer, starting with 10-15 minutes/day. Most sunblocks contain chemicals that cause asthmatic & allergic responses in my respiratory system, sinuses & eyes, not my skin. Natural melanin doesn't screw up my system like having to dope up on decongestants & antihistimines just to tolerate sunscreen.

[miralin]

OK this is only my own experience, but ....

I was paper-white for most of my life. I could burn in 10 minutes outside with no sunscreen on, so I'm pretty cautious with the whole sun thing.

BUT I live in LA and I don't drive, so there's plenty of time where I'm outside walking, and I tend to wear short sleeves and tank tops, and I don't wear sunscreen at all. (Except those rare weekends when I'm on the beach all day!)

Not only am I no longer ghostly, I don't burn either, unless there's an unusual circumstance. I think I've had one sunburn in the four years I've lived here, and it was mild. I just look healthier, and I certainly feel a lot better. I'm sure it's overall lifestyle change, but my SAD is all but gone too. YAY!

[Dodger]

I'm on my third summer of doing the Eades' re3commended sun exposure. I start early in the year getting sun and when the real summer comes, I have a tan and don't burn.

I live at 5000 ft, so there is lots of sunlight in the summer. I used to have to put lots of sunscreen on to prevent burning, but now I don't use any and have not had any sunburn in the three years.

I do supplement with vitamin D during the winter months.

[lou7401]

I think I might have to supplement in the winter too since here in Michigan we don't have much sun during those months.

Last winter I bought a light-box to help with SAD symptoms and it really helped - but I don't know if it does the same thing as the sun (I don't think so because apparently you can't get a sunburn from it).

[LisaS]

SAD lamps are usually full-spectrum w/out any UV - so not useful for making Vitamin D - in fact they'll market as "not emitting any UV radiation"

I think Mercola did have one of his articles about full spectrum lights that included UVB for Vit D production - but can't remember what they were.

[protein-girl]

Living in Australia and seeing a few close friends actually be diagnosed with Melanoma I must say I'm a little cautous about the whole sunbathing idea. I get the logic on one level but on another it seems dangerous in the climate we live in down here especially as our ozone layer is pretty thin... sunbathing is a challenging idea

[cmcole]

I used to practically hide from the sun, and sit in the shade while others were trying to tan - I usually was the one with the sunburn.

This time, I'm not limiting myself too much, or at least I am taking the dogs out for their exercise and dressing appropriate for the weather (no sleeves, etc.). I have freckles and a bit of a base coat, and haven't burned. Guess it's the small sessions of exposure that have created the resistance or adaptation. I don't sit for hours in the sun, because I could never sit still that long doing nothing.

[bigdawg_SLC]

Galen -- great recommendations! I know that I've always tried to get out in the sun when I could, Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. But I do find that If I'm out on the lake boating I have to use some sort of sun block on my face and ears and neck -- the rest of my body I can effectively cover up!

I really do enjoy the dark brown glow that the sun does give me -- I really like the dark brown glow the sun gives my wife :p

Anyway.....The Sun is a great and effective way to get vitamin D as well as many other great properties it offers. Do follow the recommendations of a little sun at first -- you do need to protect yourself from sunburn and its negative effects.