Why sunshine is vital during social isolation—and all year-round

Even before the coronavirus outbreak, most people tended to spend most of their time indoors. Especially during the winter.

But indoor spaces are more likely to harbor harmful germs that can cause respiratory problems.

So, today, I’m discussing a new study that uncovered a completely safe, natural, effective way to kill these germs in your home…

Open your windows and let the sunshine in!

That’s right! It really is that simple. I’ll tell you more about that interesting, new study in a moment. But first, let’s back up…

Let the sunshine in

Throughout most of human history, we’ve regarded sun exposure as beneficial to our overall health and well-being. But in the late 20th century, dermatologists began to argue that we should avoid the sun to reduce skin cancer risk.

Of course, we now know that advice has been all wrong, all along…

For one, exposure to strong sunlight triggers your skin’s natural production of much-needed vitamin D. And, as I often report, this sunshine vitamin protects you against almost every chronic disease on the planet, including cancer.

Plus, in European and early-American traditions, doctors even sent ill patients to natural areas to soak up the sun as part of their recovery. The sun is often stronger there because it reflects off water, sand, or rocks—leading to increased sun exposure that can really boost your vitamin D levels.

We also know that exposure to sunlight boosts your mood, acting as a natural depression- and anxiety-buster.

I’ve always urged you to spend time each day outside in the sunshine to trigger your skin’s production of vitamin D. And to gain exposure to fresh air and sunshine, which ultimately reduces your amount of time trapped inside unhealthy, artificially-lit, sealed indoor spaces. And now, this new study shows that sunlight influences air quality too…

Sun-filled rooms have fewer microbes

For the new study, researchers at the University of Oregon set up three different types of dollhouse-sized rooms. One type of room had special glass that admits ultraviolet (UV) light. The second type of room had regular glass that blocks UV light. (Most glass used in homes blocks UV light.) And the third type of room was kept in the dark.

Next, they inserted dust, laced with bacteria that had been collected from actual homes in Portland, into each of the rooms. One type of the bacteria used came from the genus Saccharopolyspora, which is associated with respiratory diseases.

After three months, here’s what they found:

  • In the sunlit rooms with UV light, 6 percent of the bacteria was still viable
  • In the sunlit rooms with UV-blocking glass, 7 percent of the bacteria was still viable
  • In the darkened rooms, 12 percent of the bacteria were still viable

More importantly, the darkened rooms contained more of the bacteria associated with respiratory diseases. Meanwhile, the sunlit rooms didn’t contain any of these harmful bacteria. Instead, the bacteria that survived in the sunlit rooms were the same as those found outside.

In other words, sunlight keeps the microbes in sunlit rooms consistent with those found in the normal outside environment. Which is a good thing!

Because, as I’ve often reported, you benefit tremendously from exposure to certain bacteria found in Nature. It can even improve your mood and fight depression. In addition, as this study shows, completely eradicating all bacteria from your home is not realistically possible.

So, my advice is to open the windows and let in the direct sunlight and fresh air. Better yet, spend some time gardening. (Digging in the dirt around your home is a great way to gain exposure to Nature’s own bacteria.) And since we’re all still keeping our social distance, I can’t think of a better time to start taking advantage of Nature’s sunshine.

P.S. For more ways to naturally strengthen your lungs and protect yourself from respiratory diseases, check out my new, comprehensive Breathe Better Lung Health Protocol. To learn more about this innovative, online learning tool, or to enroll today, click here now!

Source:

“Daylight exposure modulates bacterial communities associated with household dust.” Microbiome, 2018. 6 (175). doi.org/10.1186/s40168-018-0559-4