Of course, it has been proven that spending too much time in the sun without proper covering and/or sunscreen increases your risk of skin cancer. But don’t avoid sunlight altogether, or it can put your circadian rhythm (which acts like a clock to keep nearly every organ and system on a 24-hour cycle) off. Sunlight tells your body to start the day and keeps you awake and feeling energized. It also helps regulate the appetite. As the sun sets, your circadian clock releases sleep-promoting hormones. Studies have shown that people in their 50’s and 60’s get less than an hour per day of sunlight. At a bare minimum, experts recommend you go outside every morning for 15-30 minutes and again in the late afternoon or early evening.
