Sunbathing is the simplest and most effective method of health care. Whether young or old, male or female, sunbathing for 30 minutes a day is enough to synthesize enough vitamin D, promote calcium absorption, and strengthen the body. So what is the best part of the body to sunbathe?
Sunbathe on the Top of the Head for Calcium and Hair Growth
During the gentle sunlight hours, sunbathe on the top of the head to promote calcium absorption, which is beneficial for brain development and bone growth in the head. According to traditional Chinese medicine, the head is the gathering place of all yang energy, where the essence of blood and the clear yang energy of the six viscera and five zang organs converge. Sunlight on the top of the head can clear the meridians and regulate yang energy.
Sunbathe on the Palms to Calm the Mind and Aid Sleep
For those with poor sleep, difficulty falling asleep, or insomnia, when sunbathing, pay attention to spreading out the palms and letting them bathe in the sunlight. The palm has an important acupoint called Laogong (located under the middle fingertip when naturally clenched). Laogong is a point on the pericardium meridian, which belongs to the fire element in the five elements. Massaging this acupoint has the effect of clearing the heart fire and calming the mind.
Under the warm sunlight, open both hands and face the sun with the palms, allowing the sunlight to shine on Laogong. This can release stress, relieve fatigue, promote sleep, and also have a strengthening effect on the heart and lungs.
Sunbathe on the Back to Regulate Qi and Blood
The abdomen is yin and the back is yang. Sunbathing on the back can replenish yang energy. The governing vessel meridian and the bladder meridian of the foot taiyang (which have acupoints related to the five viscera and six bowels) are distributed on the back. Sunbathing on these acupoints can regulate the qi and blood of the internal organs.
Let the sunlight shine directly on the back for a short period of time, and you will feel the whole body warm and comfortable. The meridians and collaterals on the back, especially the most important governing vessel meridian, can also be nourished by sunlight, making the body feel smooth and unobstructed.
In addition, traditional Chinese medicine states that "the back is yang, and the heart and lungs are in charge." Regularly sunbathing the back also has the function of strengthening the heart and lungs.
Sunbathe on the Legs to Expel Cold Qi
As the saying goes, "cold starts from the feet." People with yang deficiency often have cold legs and feet throughout the year. In this case, it is recommended to sunbathe the legs and feet. Sunlight can take away the cold from the legs and feet, accelerate calcium absorption, and help prevent osteoporosis. Sunbathing the legs and feet in spring and summer can store energy and help resist the cold in winter, protecting the body's vitality.
For people with rheumatoid arthritis, sunbathing can activate blood vessels and relieve symptoms. In addition, there are many acupoints on the legs. Stimulating them with sunlight can make the legs feel light and relieve fatigue.
Sunbathe on the Stomach to Reduce Belly Fat
The ultraviolet rays in sunlight can speed up the movement of abdominal fat and make the belly flatter. It is recommended to lie down and wear a sexy bikini to expose the belly to direct sunlight. Generally, a 15-minute sunbathing session can accelerate the movement of abdominal fat. In addition, applying some peppermint essential oil, which has a slimming effect, can also be effective.
Babies Should Sunbathe on the Back and Buttocks
For babies, it is best to sunbathe on the back and buttocks. Because babies' eyes are most vulnerable to sunlight, direct exposure to their eyes should be avoided as much as possible. When sunbathing their back and buttocks, the baby should face away from the sun, which can maximize the protection of their eyes. At the same time, the back and buttocks of babies have a larger surface area, which allows for more exposure to sunlight and improves the effectiveness of sunbathing. It is important to note that children's skin is delicate and should not be sunbathed for too long. It is recommended to sunbathe in the shade and adjust the duration based on comfort.
Precautions for Sunbathing
1. Different age groups have different tolerance to sunlight, so the duration of sunbathing varies. Infants and young children should sunbathe for about 15-30 minutes each time, middle-aged and young adults for 1-2 hours each time, and the elderly for 20-30 minutes each time.
2. Avoid long sunbathing between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm, as the ultraviolet rays in sunlight can cause damage to the skin during this time.
3. Do not sunbathe through glass, as studies have shown that the ultraviolet transmittance through glass is less than 50%, greatly reducing the effectiveness.
4. Do not wear white clothes for sunbathing, as white clothes can reflect ultraviolet rays onto the face or exposed arms, causing damage to the skin. It is best to wear red clothing because the long-wave radiation of red clothing can quickly "absorb" the highly lethal short-wave ultraviolet rays.
5. Those who are weak, have high blood pressure, or have heart disease should not sunbathe for too long and should only do so within their limits.
6. When engaging in outdoor activities for a long time, take appropriate sun protection measures, such as using sunscreen and wearing sunglasses.
7. After sunbathing, drink plenty of water and eat fruits and vegetables to a certain extent, which can inhibit the production of melanin.
