Here comes the sun

Here comes the sun

Wasn't it nice to have a hot and sunny Bank holiday weekend? It is important to have a bit of sunshine regularly. I know that this is a bit difficult in this country but when the sun is out, go out and get a dose of it.

Sunshine on bare skin is important for the body because it helps to create vitamin D in the bowels and vitamin D is important for healthy bones. It is the vitamin which helps to fight rickets. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause bleeding, particularly in babies. Sunshine is important to fight depression an I think we all feel better when the sun is shining. I want to make sure that you understand, that you have to have the sunshine on your bare skin to get the benefit. So please wait for 15 minutes before you apply your sunscreen.

There is a warning that goes with that advice. Sunshine is like everything else: Too much can be dangerous. I'm not only talking about sunburn and sun stroke. This can be very dangerous, so don't take it lightly when you have been out in the sun all day and feeling nauseous and have a headache. Get out of the sun and lie down in a cool, shady spot. Get somebody to cool your head down with a damp towel and seek medical help.

For light sunburn, that means when the skin is just red and burning, you can apply natural yoghurt to ease the pain. But if the skin is swollen and painful you might need medical help.

Another problem with too much sun is skin cancer because the skin never forgets anything. So be aware of that and don't get sunburn.

So when you are out in the blazing sunshine don't forget something to put on your head.

I've just noticed that this turned out exactly as I didn't want it to. I wanted to tell you that getting out into the sunshine is really important because in our time and age with all the health care and food which is available to us there should be nobody who should suffer from vitamin D deficiency. But I do see all the red faces and arms and necks as soon as the sun comes out and that worries me, so take it easy.

So promise: 15 minutes on as much bare skin without offending anybody and then you cover up and apply your sunscreen. But even with the best sunscreen in the world, don't overstay your time in the sun and listen to your body because everybody is different. Some people burn quickly and easily, some people could stay longer in the sun without suffering. Find the right time for yourself but do not stay longer than half an hour without a comfort break in the shade.