9 Reasons Why Summer is Good for You

The days are getting longer and the temperatures are rising! Yes, it’s summer! But the sunny skies do more than make our surroundings an enjoyable place. Sunlight helps regulate most of our bodily processes as well as act as mental encouragement to improve our lifestyle.

Here are 9 health reasons why the summer is just what the doctor ordered:

1) Reduced mortality risk of heart attack

Research indicates that you are less likely to die of a heart attack in the summer than in the winter. In a UK study of 11,000 people who had heart attacks, the survival rate increased by 19% if the attack occurred during the summer.

Good news for those with high cholesterol! UV light converts cholesterol to Vitamin D, therefore, getting out in the sun is a good way to decrease cholesterol levels which reduces the risk of heart disease and stroke.

2) People eat more fruit

Rising temperatures increase the availability of summer fruits and make it easier to hit the recommended quota of five portions of fruit and vegetables a day. We are more likely to reach for those strawberries which are high in Vitamin C and whose antioxidant activity aids in the prevention chronic diseases such as cancer. High temperatures make us less likely to want to eat high in fat comfort foods we use in the winter to make it through the cold season.

3) Relieve skin complaints

Although direct sun exposure for longer than 15 minutes without sunscreen remains a key factor in causing skin cancer, the sun can actually have therapeutic effects in other areas! Walking around in daylight, under controlled UV exposure, can decrease skin sensitivity in complaints such as acne, psoriasis and dermatitis.

4) Increased agility

The warm weather good news for those suffering from arthritis. Most people feel less pain during the summer months. In addition, summer is an excellent time to begin an exercise regime. The feel-good factor created by sunlight boosts energy and increases agility.

5) Consuming more water

In the summer, due to the high heat factor, we are more likely to drink the recommended half a gallon of water for optimum health. Water promotes digestions, regulates body temperature, and improves the health of our skin as well as flush toxins out of the body. The more fluid the body loses, the more we need to drink the regular sips of water throughout the day. Remember to limit liquids such as tea, coffee, and sodas to 3 a day!

6) Reduced DVT Risk

Doctors say that warm weather helps blood vessels enlarge, allowing blood to circulate better. The warmer days of summer are good news for those at risk of thrombosis and pulmonary embolism!

7) Prevention of hip fractures

A healthy dose of sunshine could prevent older women from fracturing their hips, according to researchers at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. They found that half of postmenopausal women admitted to the hospital with hip fractures had low levels of Vitamin D, which is boosted by sunlight. Ladies, get out there and get your healthy dose of UV rays!

8) Helps preventing regular sleep disorders

Sleep experts recommend exposure to sunlight between 7AM and 9AM each morning to help those who have problems getting to sleep at night. Early morning exposure can help those suffering from sleep disorders such as insomnia. This is because sunlight helps the body reset it’s internal biological clock.

9) Helps migraine sufferers

We are not talking about when the weather turns muggy, because migraine symptoms can return during instances of summer showers. However, Canadian doctors running trials testing the link between weather and migraines have concluded clear, sunny and dry weather reduces attacks of migraines.

From the Quick Care Med team, we hope you enjoy your summer!