Walk in the Sun

We just celebrated the festival of lights. However, sunlight will decrease during this time.

Why is it crucial to get some sun exposure?

Scientists measure sunlight as electromagnetic radiation. The spectrum ranges from 100 nanometers (nm) to 1 million nm.

What you and I can see ranges from 380 to 700 nm only. The human eye cannot see most of the sunlight that reaches the Earth.

Regardless, the light that reaches the earth has a different spectrum throughout the day.

During the morning, the dominant spectrum is between 600 and 700 nm. During the afternoon, it is between 450 and 475 nm. In the evenings, it is back to between 600 and 700 nm.

Why does this matter?

You have experienced this light as a warm glow in the morning and evening and bright almost intolerable light at midday.

Your body loves infrared light, which occurs from 700 nm onwards.

Infrared helps produce Vitamin D, helps in the regulation of mitochondria and regulates the production of blood sugar.

Infrared light helps by boosting the production of ATP, the source of all energy in the body. It helps accelerate healing of damaged tissue, reduces pain and inflammation.

Infrared light can penetrate the skull and reach brain tissue, where it has been shown to improve mitochondrial function. By doing so, it has potential benefits for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzhiemers and cognitive decline.

Infrared light reduces ageing by reducing oxidative stress in the body. It triggers cellular death, removing dead or partially dead cells from the body.

So what is the best way to get infrared light from the sun?

I have long advocated slow, steady cardiovascular activity. Cycling, walking or even swimming. In an ideal world, if you can combine exercise and exposure to light from the sun, you get the benefit of both.

Yes, a morning and evening walk is best for you.

Reach out to me on twitter @rbawri Instagram @riteshbawriofficial and YouTube at www.youtube.com/breatheagain