The sun is honouring us with its presence and the temperature on the thermometer is on the rise! So, it\u2019s that (all too often brief!) time of the year to remind everyone of the importance of protecting oneself in the sunshine and how to do that. With the weather as it is, if we\u2019re lounging outside sunbathing or working in the garden or allotment, we need to consider how to keep ourselves safe in the sun.<\/p>\n
The British Association of Dermatologists offer advice based on an easy to remember SOS theme: Save Our Skin:<\/p>\n
Accessing their website below provides additional information on sunscreen, skin advice for skin of colour, sun protection advice for children and babies, a Vitamin D factsheet and sun awareness leaflets.<\/p>\n
The NHS also offers comprehensive advice on how to keep yourself safe in the sun; the link to their website is also below.<\/p>\n
Some research advice does show that it\u2019s not good to shun the sun\u2019s rays completely.\u00a0 With care, exposure to sunshine can have some excellent health benefits.\u00a0 Up to 15 minutes a day without protection can be okay. Sunlight stimulates the body to produce Vitamin D.\u00a0 We can produce this in the summer and store it to keep us through the winter.\u00a0 Research has shown that Vitamin D is important in helping our immune system, forming strong bones, helping us with mental health disorders and assisting us with better sleep.\u00a0 There are links to two articles below exploring the health benefits of Vitamin D gained through sunshine; the one by Lizette Borrell references a number of research projects. A further research project in the British Journal of Dermatology shows evidence that wearing sunscreen does not interfere with the body creating Vitamin D. So, you can have the best of both worlds.<\/p>\n
There is a lot of innocent joy to be gained from simply feeling the warmth of the sun on our skin.\u00a0 A survey undertaken by Vitamin N, a group of organisations with interests in the environment and mental health, showed that children enjoyed time outdoors over the pandemic during the lockdown periods and flagged it as something they should keep up when attending school regularly.<\/p>\n
If possible, take some time to connect with the fresh air and sunshine while taking care to stay safe in the sun.<\/p>\n
British Association of Dermatologists\u2019 Sun Awareness website<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018How to Stay Safe in the Sun\u2019 on the British Skin Foundation website<\/a><\/p>\n NHS Sunscreen and Sun Safety website<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Sun Safety\u2019 on Cancer Research UK website<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018How to be Sun Safe\u2019 on the Early Years Alliance website<\/a>: specific advice for safety for children<\/p>\n \u2018Sun Exposure: Vitamin D And Other Health Benefits Of Sunlight\u2019 by Lizette Borrell, Medical Daily<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018Sunscreen application does not prevent vitamin D production in the majority of people\u2019<\/a> article on the British Association of Dermatologists website<\/p>\n