Let the Sun Shine!

The sun is back after a long overdue absence and it feels SO GOOD! I woke up feeling more perky and refreshed than I have in weeks, and the birds outside my window sounded like they agreed with me. I took the day to go surf fishing with my pops and then went on any evening Montara Mountain ride with my buddy Jesse. We made it to the saddle just in time to catch a nice sunset over a couple tasty brews (Thanks Jesse/Tristan!).

The sun actually does more for good moods than you'd think. A splash of sunlight can reverse winter doldrums, or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD=(, and it has proven useful in treatment of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Light therapy has been used effectively to treat depression and some therapists consider it to be the first-line of defense against the blues. Furthermore, it can drastically improve the mood and symptoms of women during PMS. Plus it makes some damn delicious tomatoes.

Besides a few foods, the sun is our main source of vitamin D, a key component of our immune system. UV rays from the sun bombard our skin, triggering a series of reactions that produces vitamin D. This sun-solicited nutrient influences how our bones sequester Calcium and there is a direct relationship between the strength of our bones and vitamin D levels. Sun exposure and vitamin D have also been suspected to play a role in the immune response and/or prevention of multiple sclerosis, prostate cancer, rickets, osteoporosis, diabetes and others, but no definitive connections have yet been discovered.

As with everything in life, sunlight is best used in moderation. Use a good sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB radiation, but you don't need to go overboard with the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) numbers. SPF is just a ratio of the time it takes to burn with said sunscreen divided by the time it takes without. So if you know how long it takes you to burn you can figure out you maximum time in the lime light.

Its simple: Minutes to burn X SPF# = Max. sun exposure with sunscreen applied

Always be conscious of the awesome power of the sun, it has the power to give life, but it can take life away. It was been revered by cultures around the world throughout time and we should show it that same respect in our contemporary culture. So soak up the rays while you can, there should be some April showers on their way but spring flowers are already showing up!

Here are some of my favorite sunsets and spring flowers from 2010 and I'm looking forward to many more this year.