Over the past several years, our sweet sunshine has acquired a bit of a bad reputation. There’s been a big push in the self-care industry to protect yourself from the sun, and while that is definitely important at the root, many people have developed a bit of a sun fear that may be keeping them away from one of life’s greatest treasures. While the sun brings us joy for a wide range of reasons, from providing vitamin D to infusing us with nostalgia for dreamy beach vacations, it also has a number of healthful, nourishing properties that shouldn't be overlooked.
As our founder, Erikka Niemi, always says, “The sun is the energy source for all of life; we need it to survive and thrive.”
She believes that the conversation surrounding sun exposure has been taken to an extreme. “Instead of saying enjoy the sun wisely we are told to avoid the sun completely.” When she was in aesthetics school, she and her classmates were taught to avoid the sun completely. “I just didn’t resonate with that” said Erikka. Just like plants, “we need sunlight and water to flourish, but we need to do that wisely,” says Erikka. “As a society I think we have forgotten about heliotherapy and its beautiful healing properties.”
But, as she said, sun exposure shouldn’t be taken lightly. “The rays that help our skin produce vitamin D are also the same type that cause sunburn, and getting burned is a major risk factor for skin cancer. That’s why it is so important to find the right balance.” I always wear spf when spending extended periods of time in the sunshine.
According to an article from the National Library of Medicine, experimental evidence suggests that regular sunlight exposure can actually help contribute to the prevention of a ton of life-threatening diseases including colon cancer, breast cancer, hypertension, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and more. While the benefits of sunlight were originally attributed to vitamin D, new evidence suggests that there are other things at play including the formation of nitric oxide, melatonin, serotonin, immunomodulation, and the sun’s impact on our circadian rhythms.
This means that the sun can contribute to elevating our moods, giving us energy, and helping us flourish from the inside out.
There are endless cultures and schools of thought that worship the sun and her powerful ability to promote health and happiness. Naturally, the medical community has also looked into the phenomenon and there have even been studies that point to the sun as a possible cause for increased longevity.
Sun therapy, or heliotherapy, is widely recognized as a method for healing illness and elevating overall health.
It’s no secret that time spent in the sun makes us happier and, in many cases, our health and happiness are directly linked. At Isle De Soleil we are passionate about the connection between mind, body, and soul and the ways in which they work to nurture and elevate one another. Any type of self care contributes to your holistic health, and doing what makes us feel good grounds us and elevates our overall wellness in so many ways.
As we mentioned, there is still a danger that lies in over-exposure or unsafe exposure to the sun. In order to protect our skin and ourselves, we must “enjoy the sun responsibly, says Erikka. Here’s what that means:
She suggests getting your sunshine daily by starting nice and slow, early in the morning. “Listen to your skin, our bodies know how to tell us when we have had too much sun, and we don’t want to burn our skin.” She also advises that you wear a hat and wear a light button up shirt to cover up.
“Botanical oils also naturally protect our skin, though they cannot be termed SPF because the SPF label is only for synthetic ingredients. However many plants have natural occurring sun protection.” In addition, Erikka suggests you “Use a mineral based sunscreen if you are going to be out in the sunshine for prolonged periods. Mineral sunscreens are a “physical protector” meaning they “reflect” the UV rays off of our skin. Make sure it is zinc oxide, skip the chemical sunscreen. Ingredients like oxybenzone and octinoxate are now banned in Hawaii.”
Life is far too short to shy away from the sun. She brings us light, joy, grounding, and purpose. She reminds us that we’re alive, energizes us, and fills us with wonder. We want to run towards the sun, not away from it, and we want to help you chase the sun, too.
Not only should you enjoy the sun in a way that is healthy and safe, but also in a way that is mindful and filled with intention. We are so grateful that we all get to share the sun in all her glory, so enjoy!
Note: Everyone is different. In order to determine how much sun is safe and healthy for you, be sure to touch base with your dermatologist and/or medical doctor. This article was written simply with the intention of lifting some of the fear that’s been surrounding the sun and encouraging you to celebrate her
