Not Gonna Soak Up the Sun

Expose your precious skin to the sun’s harmful rays without protection? Never! The sun is your nemesis. You will not, repeat, will not, get skin cancer.

Yeah, only here’s the problem: You need some sun exposure to trigger vitamin-D production, which is necessary for good bone health and can boost your mood and energy. Also, vitamin-D deficiency has been associated with increased risks of osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders and cardiovascular disease.

Life is so full of contradictions.

Once in a while, give your hats, cover-ups, umbrellas and sunscreen a break. The National Institute of Health recommends exposing your face, arms, hands or back to the sun for about 10 to 15 minutes twice a week without protection (to allow for vitamin-D synthesis). After that, apply a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. And, enjoy the sunshine.