Sunseeker

I have memories of being lathered in sunscreen by my parents, moments of sporadically singing the Banana Boat song and thinking I was cool for remembering the lyrics, and receiving a few too many warnings at school for not having my hat.

We are often told to ‘slip, slop and slap’ however, has sun protection gone just that little too far, with many of us not being clear on the true facts around sun exposure and vitamin D.

The best source of vitamin D comes from UVB radiation à la sun.

Simply, vitamin D is important.

Vitamin D (sun) is necessary for many bodily functions including nutrient absorption, immunity, bone and muscle health, disease resistance and mood! That’s right, research has shown that vitamin D can help to boost mood and assist with anxiety and depression.

I don’t know about you but I feel instantly uplifted the moment I sit in the sun. Bliss.

Because of our busy lives, most of us dominate the indoors (sleeping, eating, working, entertaining) which means that sun exposure becomes a bit of a weekend treat.

I often hear people describe their daily struggle with removing themselves from their work desks, grabbing a quick glass of water, snack or stretch, all of which takes place inside rather than outdoors in the sun.

We need to prioritise the sun.

The UV rays are higher in the northern parts of Australia compared to the southern parts (Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra and Sydney) and so it is recommended that sun protection is applied whenever the UV index is 3 or higher.

You can check the UV index on the Cancer Council SunSmart app or WillyWeather.

Thus, no sun protection is required with a UV index below 3 which is typically early morning and late afternoon.

The Cancer Council recommends enjoying the mid-morning and mid-afternoon sun on most days of the week to maintain adequate vitamin D levels.

Getting yourself outside in the sun really does require prioritisation.

Schedule small breaks throughout the day that allow you to go outside, breath in the fresh air and soak up the sun.

Do this every day!

Fun fact: the vitamin D content of mushrooms increases when left outside in the sun!