Dr. Geri Williams explains how getting outdoors effects your health and weight loss efforts in the latest tips video from Ideal You Weight Loss.
Humans were never meant to spend as much of our lives indoors as we do today. It’s important that we make time to go outdoors daily as often as possible. Natural sunlight is important to our health.
Melatonin – the hormone that controls the body’s sleep cycle – is created in the morning when our eyes are exposed to sunlight. Getting even 10 minutes of sunlight in the morning can do wonders – helping some people overcome insomnia. Since a healthy sleep cycle is also key to losing weight, getting outdoor morning sunlight (which promotes better sleep) can help you lose more weight too.
Sunlight in the summer is also a great source of vitamin D. Since vitamin D regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, it helps build healthy immunity, strong bones, teeth, and muscles. Many people suffer from a vitamin D deficiency because they spend too much time inside under artificial light.
In winter months, supplementing with a natural, whole food source of vitamin D like cod liver oil can help keep vitamin D levels higher when the sunlight is weaker. No matter the season, try to take a walk on your lunch break or step outside a few times a day. If you can’t find time for a walk, even rolling down your car window while you’re driving can help. And, even if the sunlight isn’t strong enough to promote vitamin D production, being outdoors improves sleep, stimulates cells to create more energy, and improves your mood.
If you want to get healthier and lose weight, make the time to be outside every day.
