Does being exposed to a strong sun make anyone feel ill?

lessonlearned

Mad dogs and Englishmen Go Out in the Noonday Sun. Noel Coward song. How true.

many years ago I had an Israeli boyfriend. He used to profess astonishment at the Brit penchant for roasting their bodies in the boiling heat of the day.

He said it was madness. I explained its because we are generally a sun starved nation so we just had to grab those rays when we can;)

He was right of course
The sun is wonderful. It gives us energy and is the best source of vitamin D which is crucial for strong bones.

However the sun is a classic case of how you can have too much of a good thing


As my friend pointed out - you have to treat the sun with respect.

cepheus

lessonlearned wrote: »

The sun is wonderful. It gives us energy and is the best source of vitamin D which is crucial for strong bones.

It tends to drain me of energy. If I had any I would do a rain-dance! Most mammals become more lethargic in the sun. Cold blooded creature such as Reptiles and some insects do need to sun to warm up though. I try to keep out of the sun and my vitamin D was OK, but then I'm naturally light skinned!

lessonlearned

My OH reckons I must be part lizard. I cannot move until I've warmed up:rotfl:

Just had a storm here and it has cooled down. Far more comfortable and a lovely evening.

All joking apart I have had a brush with skin cancer so I am very careful now. I stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and if I do venture out when the sun is fierce then I wear a large brimmed sun hat and keep the sun off my face (cancer was on my face). Fortunately my cancer was only a basal cell carcinoma and not the more dangerous melanoma.

I usually restrict sitting out till after 4 pm. I do like the feel of the sun on my body though and the warmth helps keep my aches and pains at bay. I am at risk of osteoporosis so I am always conscious of the need to make sure I get my vitamin d from the sun whenever possible.

I think you just have to be careful in the sun and like I said before treat it with respect.

Too much sun is harmful, equally too little sun is just as bad,

Apparently we are seeing a return of rickets in young children because they are not getting out in the fresh air and sunlight enough.

I guess it's about getting the right balance.

It's good that your vitamin D levels are ok. They are really important for good bone health.