Holiday- Is it the sun?

Ritesh Bawri

Aug 27, 2024 — 2 min read

Did you go on a holiday recently? People often go on holidays during summer.

If you went and returned feeling like you were invincible, allow me to point to a reason you would not imagine for a second.

The Sun.

One joy of my work is the access it gives me into the lives of people. Most report being able to do things they otherwise cannot do. Walk, digest, sleep. Feel energetic.

We attribute it to a change of location, less pollution, less worry and stress. But the sun?

We dont realize it but holidays are spent out in the sun. Regardless of where you go, mountain or beach, chances are you are spending a ton of time outdoors. That is the whole point of the holiday isnt it?

For us urban folks, that is a very different lifestyle from the one we live. Couped up in flats where the sun occasinally peeks through like a blushing teen, we dont get enough sunshine.

In fact, we run away from it as much as we can. We use sunscreen or alltogther avoid going out in the sun. We have been conditioned to do so.

But sunlight, especially UV rays have a wonderful effect on the human body.

Sunlight helps create vitamin D, which sets of a chain of positive events.

Better digestion, sleep and energy. All the things we want but are unable to get in life.

Let us take digestion. Vitamin D regulates inflammation of the gut, induces cellular growth and death. All of these have a beneficial effect on digestion. Someone with ulcerative colitis can benefit for example.

Vitamin D has a beneficial effect on our mood. When our mood is better, our stress levels are reduced. Lower stress levels have a positive effect on cravings and hunger.

So while the holiday is wonderful for you, being out in the sun contributes to your well being.