We produce endorphins when we’re under it.
It noticeably improves our energy and mood.
We all look better after we’ve had some sun.
And it gives us vitamin D which is vital in preventing chronic disease and cancer.
Not only this but studies also prove that not receiving enough sunlight is a significant issue:
Northern US states have higher rates of skin cancer than southern US states.
European countries who receive the most sunlight, like Greece, Spain, and Italy, tend to have the lowest rates of skin cancer.
The Blue Zones, which have the longest living people, are all located in regions that receive abundant sunshine.
So the next time we hear that the sun is bad for us and will give us cancer, we should certainly question this. Is this advice genuinely for our health and well-being, or has it been derived for ulterior financial motives by multi-billion dollar industries that depend on our fear of the sun, like the pharmaceutical and sunscreen industry for instance?
Sunlight won’t make you sick, but not enough of it will.
Seasonal Depression
If the sun is truly bad for us, then why does a lack of it make so many people sick? Seasonal Affective Disorder, often called seasonal depression, spikes during the darker winter months. This is no coincidence. When sunlight is scarce, serotonin and melatonin levels drop, disrupting mood and sleep. People living in northern climates know this all too well, as depression rates climb in tandem with shorter days and longer nights. If sunlight were dangerous, wouldn’t we feel healthier without it instead of spiraling into depression? The evidence is clear—humans are wired to thrive under the sun, not away from it.
Vitamin D and Cancer
Vitamin D is one of the most powerful nutrients in the human body, and it is primarily synthesized from sunlight. Studies consistently show that low vitamin D levels are linked to higher rates of cancers, including breast, colon, and prostate. This isn’t fringe science, it is well-established in the literature. Yet, modern advice tells us to avoid the very source that gives us this protective nutrient. By shielding ourselves with chemical sunscreens and living indoors, we are cutting off our body’s natural defense against disease. If the sun were the true enemy, why would its gift—vitamin D—be such a potent cancer fighter?
Endorphins and the Sun
The sun has a way of making us feel good, and that’s not just in our heads. Exposure to UV light stimulates the production of endorphins, the same “feel-good” chemicals released during exercise or laughter. If the sun were a toxin, our biology would react by shutting us down, not lifting us up. Instead, our bodies reward us with a natural high when we bask in it. This response is evidence of evolutionary design, showing that humans are meant to seek out and benefit from sunlight. Feeling good in the sun isn’t a coincidence—it is a feature, not a flaw.
Circadian Rhythms and Depression
Eighty-five percent of people with depression also suffer from disrupted circadian rhythms. Sunlight is the master regulator of our internal clocks, guiding hormone cycles, sleep patterns, and metabolism. Without it, our bodies lose their rhythm, and the result is chaos in both mood and physical health. Artificial light cannot replicate the balanced spectrum of the sun, which is why sunrise and natural light exposure are essential for resetting our biology each day. If sunlight were harmful, it wouldn’t be the key that unlocks circadian balance. The fact that depression worsens with disrupted light exposure shows just how essential the sun is for mental stability.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Disease
Vitamin D deficiency doesn’t just raise cancer risk, it increases the likelihood of nearly every chronic disease. Heart disease, autoimmune conditions, osteoporosis, diabetes, and even infectious disease outcomes all correlate with low vitamin D levels. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, low vitamin D was one of the strongest predictors of poor outcomes. If sunlight were dangerous, then depriving ourselves of it should make us healthier. Instead, the opposite is true. Deficiency weakens the immune system and accelerates aging, while exposure strengthens resilience. The message is simple: without sun, sickness follows.
Why Do I Look Good With a Tan?
Here’s something funny—if the sun is so dangerous, why do humans almost universally agree that we look better with a tan? A healthy glow is more than vanity. It signals vitality, health, and strength. Our skin, when properly adapted, darkens as a natural shield against excess UV while still allowing vitamin D synthesis. Evolutionarily, this adaptation helped humans survive in different climates. The appeal of a tan is instinctual. It reflects health at a subconscious level. If sunlight were inherently harmful, why would nature reward us with a look that radiates wellness?
The Longest Living People
The world’s longest-living populations—the famed Blue Zones—reside in sunny regions like Sardinia, Okinawa, and Ikaria. Their lives are marked by abundant outdoor activity, farming, and daily sun exposure. Contrast this with populations in cloudy, northern areas, where chronic disease rates are higher and lifespans are shorter. The common denominator for longevity is not fear of the sun but regular, unfiltered exposure to it. If the sun were the culprit behind modern disease, then these sun-soaked regions would be filled with sick people, not centenarians.
The Sun as a Hormone Precursor
Sunlight is not just about vitamin D. It plays a critical role as a precursor for hormone production. Cholesterol in the skin converts to vitamin D when exposed to UVB rays, and this vitamin D acts as a foundation for hormones that regulate everything from fertility to mood to metabolism. In short, sunlight powers the very hormones that allow us to thrive as human beings. Avoiding it is like cutting off the electricity to your house and wondering why the lights went out. If sunlight were harmful, it wouldn’t be fueling our hormonal health—it would be sabotaging it.
Closing Thoughts
The sun is not the enemy. Fear of sunlight has been manufactured, marketed, and sold by industries that profit from our avoidance of it. Seasonal depression, disrupted circadian rhythms, low vitamin D, higher disease risk, and the wisdom of the world’s longest-living populations all point to one truth: humans were designed to live under the sun. The next time someone tells you to avoid it at all costs, remember that the real danger comes from not getting enough. Sunlight is free medicine, and it is one of the oldest and most powerful tools we have for thriving.
References
- Holick, Michael F. “Sunlight and Vitamin D: A Global Perspective for Health.” Dermato-Endocrinology, vol. 5, no. 1, 2013, pp. 51–108.
- Kerr, David, et al. “Circadian Rhythms, Sleep, and Depression: Current Perspectives.” Psychiatry Research, vol. 241, 2016, pp. 316–322.
- Partonen, Timo, and Jouko Lönnqvist. “Seasonal Affective Disorder.” The Lancet, vol. 352, no. 9137, 1998, pp. 1369–1374.
- Moukayed, M., and W. B. Grant. “The Roles of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention and Therapy.” Anticancer Research, vol. 33, no. 2, 2013, pp. 372–390.
- Cipriani, Alfredo, et al. “Vitamin D and Depression: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Nutrients, vol. 13, no. 1, 2021, p. 116.
- Hsu, Joy, et al. “Association Between Vitamin D and Long-Term Outcomes Among Adults Hospitalized With Community-Acquired Pneumonia.” Annals of the American Thoracic Society, vol. 14, no. 5, 2017, pp. 766–772.