Why Do I Need Sunlight?

Vitamin D is important but to produce it, sunlight is needed. The sunlight exposed to the skin causes your body to produce vitamin D, which helps the body to absorb and use calcium and phosphorus and helps the body build and repair bone mass.

Scientists are now relating Vitamin D deficiencies to such diseases as cancer, high blood pressure, depression, seasonal effective disorder, immune system disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and even diabetes. Sunlight may be beneficial in avoiding such diseases.

Sunlight serves as a disinfectant. Have you ever noticed that areas that don’t receive much sunlight tend to grow mold, mildew, bacteria and other germs? Thus, allowing the sun to shine into our homes and other dwelling places, helps to keep harmful microbes from thriving in places that they should not be.

Sunlight at the right times helps to control sleep patterns. Exposure to sunlight causes certain hormones of the body to go up and down to make you wake up and get to sleepy.

The Sunlight shining on plants produces carbohydrates from the CO2 we breathe out --- that’s how we get our food. Otherwise, we would starve.

Things You Can Do To Get Good Rest and Sleep

Stress, anxiety, even, at times, anticipation, can all disrupt your sleep. Learn how to relax when you need to.

Follow a regular schedule -- go to sleep and wake up at the same time, even on weekends. Sticking to a regular bedtime and wake time schedule helps to keep you in sync.

Try not to nap too much during the day.

Try to exercise at regular times each day. Finish your workout at least a few hours before bedtime.

Try to get some natural light in the afternoon each day.

Don't drink beverages with caffeine - especially late in the day. Caffeine is a stimulant.

Don't drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes to help you sleep. Even small amounts of alcohol can make it harder to stay asleep. Also, the nicotine in cigarettes is a stimulant.

Create a safe and comfortable place to sleep. Make sure there are locks on all doors and smoke alarms on each floor. The room should be dark, well ventilated, and as quiet as possible.

Develop a bedtime routine. Do the same things each night to tell your body that it's bedtime.

Use your bedroom predominantly for sleeping. Give yourself about 15 minutes to fall asleep. If you are still awake and not drowsy, get up - then go back to bed when you feel sleepy.

If you are so tired during the day that you cannot function normally and if you feel that you’ve been getting enough sleep, and if this lasts for more than 2 to 3 weeks, you should see your family doctor or a sleep disorders specialist.

Everyone has periods when they find themselves working unusually hard, or experiencing higher than normal levels of emotional stress. When you find yourself at that point, or even better, to avoid such stresses, practice regular periods of relaxation. Find a favorite park and take a walk. Commune with nature, visit the local zoo, breathe fresh air, listen to soothing music, absorb some sunlight or pray and meditate on the goodness of God.

Try counting your blessings instead of sheep!

Also, remember to rest on the Sabbath.

Why Do I Need Rest & Sleep?

Sleep: It's a basic necessity of life, as important to our health and well-being as sunlight, air, food and water.

When we sleep well, we wake up feeling refreshed, alert and ready to face daily challenges.

When we don't sleep well, every part of our lives can suffer. Our jobs, relationships, productivity, health and safety as well as that of those around us, are all put at risk.

Sleep is regulated by two brain processes. One is the restorative process when sleep occurs naturally in response to how long we are awake. The second process controls the timing of sleep and wakefulness during the day-night cycle.

In addition to timing the sleep-wake cycle, the circadian clock regulates day-night cycles of most body functions, ensuring that the appropriate levels occur at night when you are sleeping. For example, important hormones are secreted, blood pressure is lowered and kidney functions change.

Research even indicates that memory is consolidated during sleep. Memories are restructured before they are stored and creativity also appears to be enhanced during sleep.

Insufficient sleep may make it difficult to exercise and can reduce the benefit of hormones released during sleep.

Adequate sleep helps to maintain a good immune system.