Staying Healthy in Nakusp, column by Robyn Grant
When the sun finally comes out in usual intensity this summer in Nakusp, it’ll be a relief!
Time to pull out the high-test sunscreen? For sure we need to take care of our skin and our eyes. However does being cautious mean avoiding sunshine altogether with total sunblocks? Absolutely not. Getting regular moderate exposure to sunshine gives a healthy complexion and glow and kills viruses, bacteria and fungus on skin. It can also help clear up skin conditions, stimulate appetite, better digestion and immunity, boost mood, improve sleep quality and. hormonal balance. It can also protect against disease like cancers due to supporting the detoxifying effect of the liver, can reduce joint and muscle pain and positively influence healthy cholesterol levels. Wow!
Safe sun exposure is mostly common sense and while there are risks, there may be way too many scare headlines.
Myth Breakers:
False: The Sun is dangerous and must be avoided.
True: The Sun’s rays trigger the production of free radicals which damage cellular membranes and collagen fibres which can lead to skin cancer.
True: Eyes can cook like an egg with excess heat and sun exposure, and unprotected now, can very likely result in eye disease later in life.
False: All sunscreens are safe.
Ten tips for safe sun fun:
1. Wear sunglasses in glare most of the time in summer.
2. Take cover in the hottest most intense sun times of the day, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Put on a long-sleeved cool shirt and wide brimmed hat or enjoy Nakusp’s beautiful shaded picnic areas. Try the gazebo or bring a blanket or chair to read a favourite book under a big fir tree at the park. Enjoy the heat but take reprieve from the intense sun times.
3. Rainbow eating for radiant skin. Choose a variety of brightly coloured fruits and veggies high in anti-oxidants that protect from free radical damage to skin cells. Also use antioxidant rich moisturizers on a regular basis to get even more protection. Avoid any containing petrolatum, mineral oil, paraffin and other petroleum derivatives. Focus on those with beneficial ingredients such as protein keratin, the antioxidants coenzyme Q10 and vitamin E., grape seed oil, essential fatty acids and vitamin E.
4. Eat protein, stay pretty because it provides proline, an amino acid that helps produce collagen for skin elasticity. Meat, eggs, and cod fish are good sources.
5. Vitamin C vanity. Eat vitamin-C rich foods such as blueberries and oranges or get a quality Vitamin C from the health food store. It supports collagen production which makes for supple skin, as well as heart health.
6. Beautify from the inside out with essential fatty acids from the health food store or try hemp seeds on cereal or in a smoothie; an excellent source.
7. Hydrate for happy skin – drinking plenty of pure water daily keeps skin naturally moisturized, which reduces susceptibility to burning.
8. Say no to simple sugars and carbohydrates like white flour bread, cakes, white rice, white flour pasta, sugar and other simple carbs. In terms of your skin’s appearance, simple carbs aggravate acne and start a chain reaction that ends in the production of wrinkles.
9. Get your beauty sleep. Getting a good skin’s sleep is an important part of how to have healthy skin naturally. While sleeping, the body produces human growth hormones, which helps to keep the skin’s layers firm and smooth.
10. Safe sunscreens. The benefit of sunscreens is debatable. There is no debate about the benefit of wearing protective clothing, staying in the shade or wearing large sunglasses. Many sunscreens contain oils and chemicals that damage the skin and are toxic to the liver. If it seems necessary pick one with natural, non-harmful ingredients from the health food store. There are great ones for children and adults.
Enjoy the sun when it arrives!
Robyn Grant is a lifestyle health coach in Nakusp. Her blog is at www.breakthroughhealth.ca
