As people shelter themselves more and more from the elements, we often miss the nurturing effects of nature. A good example is sunshine, as many of us shy away from its harshness and potential damage from UV rays. Just as the plants need sunshine to live, so do we. One essential purpose of sunshine is to help our skin to produce Vitamin D, which is essential for healthy bones and optimal nerve function. Furthermore, many studies are also now showing a possible link between Vitamin D deficiency and cancer, heart disease, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and other chronic diseases, including osteoporosis. More recent studies have even shown a link with increased mortality and covid-19 (see graph to the right). While we can get this vitamin from our diet, our best source is from exposure of our skin to sunlight, which fuels our body's innate process that produces Vitamin D naturally. So be sure to expose your skin to about 15 minutes of direct sunlight every day. Living on the highveld of South Africa we are also fortunate during the winter time, as we are blessed with sunshine nearly every day. So be sure to enjoy some daily sun in moderation.
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