Joanna James
Now that you have decided on tropical Sri Lanka as your vacation destination, here are some reasons for you to spend time in the sun.
The benefits of sunbathing extend far beyond physical comforts. Although too much sunlight can cause your skin to rebel, it actually helps your mood. Depending on whether you are in the dark or under sunlight, your brain releases different types of hormones. Scientists believe that sunlight causes the release of serotonin in your brain, which is called the happy hormone. It boosts your mood and helps you feel calm and in control. If you are not exposed to enough sunlight, the serotonin levels in your brain can take a hit, resulting in your moods being rather low.
There are people who experience this to a great extent, causing seasonal depression patterns. Sunlight that enters through your eyes is believed to trigger certain parts of your retina, which then act as cues for serotonin release. It is perhaps being under the sun, and rapid production of serotonin that makes people staying at hotels in Mirissa, Hikkaduwa, and other coastal towns of Sri Lanka grin at all times. This could also be the reason why a tropical vacation can lift your mood in a way that no other vacation does.
One thing we all know about sunlight is that it helps in the production of Vitamin D, which is an important part of our skin. It is the UV-B radiation from the sun that stimulates this production. According to the latest studies, a person who is exposed to the sun for 30 minutes will produce the following levels of Vitamin D: 50,000 International units in Caucasians, 20,000 - 30,000 International units in tanned, and 8,000 - 10,000 International units in dark-skinned people. Vitamin D produced this way helps your bones grow strong. Lack of Vitamin D has been identified as a key reason for osteoporosis, rickets, and osteomalacia.
So as much as you would rather spend your day getting pampered at a luxury spa like the one at Shri Sharavi Beach Villas & Spa, make sure you spend at least some of your vacation time out in the Sun to soak up all that Vitamin D.
One of the better-known things about sunlight is that overexposure to it can cause skin cancer. While this is true, a moderate amount of sunlight has been found to prevent cancer in people. After all, it is too much of anything that is good for nothing.
Recent studies have shown that people who live in areas with less sunlight or daylight hours run a higher risk of having some types of cancers than those who live in areas with more sunlight or daylight hours. Some of the cancers that can be prevented by exposure to sunlight include colon cancer, ovarian cancer, prostate cancer, Hodgkin's lymphoma, and pancreatic cancer.
While all these hold true, keep in mind to properly cover yourself with sunblock before you venture outside. The sun can be friendly, but it can also be quite nasty on unconditioned skin.
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
