Sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D. The body can’t make this vitamin on its own, so it must be gotten from foods or supplements. However, sunlight is an easy way to get natural Vitamin D and other benefits, such as reducing the risk of breast cancer in postmenopausal women and preventing depression. Here are some tips for residents in retirement communities to maximize the benefits of sunlight for seniors:
Drink Water
Whether you’re in a retirement community or not, drinking water is one of the best things you can do for your health. Water helps keep your body hydrated by carrying nutrients and oxygen through its tissues, so they can be used efficiently. It also aids with digestion and elimination).
Water has many other benefits too: it helps regulate body temperature, reduces inflammation in joints and muscles, keeps skin healthy by keeping it hydrated, improves circulation throughout the entire body, and cleanses toxins from inside outwards, which means less pollution build up inside organs like kidneys, liver etc. Drinking plenty of water is especially important if you live alone because it prevents dehydration caused by being unable to go outside during hot summer days when there’s no air conditioning available!
Exercise Outside If You Can
If you can, try to exercise outside. The fresh air will do you good, and the sunshine will help your body produce vitamin D, which is crucial for bone health and can reduce depression.
If you have a yard, use it! Even if it is small, many things can be done in a small space. If you live in an apartment or condo, ask the manager if they would allow some gardening on their property (and possibly even pay them). You only need a little space to grow vegetables and herbs to keep your kitchen stocked with fresh ingredients throughout the year. There are also many creative ways to exercise without leaving home: gardening is great because it’s low impact but still allows them to burn calories; dancing is another fun option; even playing simple games like bingo or cards helps keep minds active while also keeping bodies moving!
Get A Little Sun Every Day, But Don’t Overdo It
Sunlight is good for you, but protecting your skin from sunburns and other damage is important. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) recommends getting about 30 minutes of outdoor activity every day if possible. If you want to spend more time outside during the day, wear long sleeves and pants that cover most of your skin when the UV index is 3 or higher (or if there are warnings against excessive sun exposure).
Some people think that too much sun can cause health problems like skin cancer and eye damage. So how can you ensure you’re getting enough sunlight without going overboard?
The answer is simple: get your daily dose from natural sources like the sun or foods with vitamin D (like milk). Go outdoors for 15 minutes daily during midday hours (10 AM – 3 PM) when UV rays aren’t as intense as earlier or later in the day. If this isn’t possible due to weather conditions or other reasons, then do what makes sense based on the time of year because different seasons offer different amounts of UV exposure!
