Discover the Health Benefits Of Soaking Up The Sun

The health benefits of sunlight include improving mood and boosting immunity.Have you ever stepped outside on a sunny day after a week of gloomy weather and just felt better? It’s not in your imagination — there are numerous health benefits of sunlight, from mental to physical! (Of course, the caveat is that you have to enjoy it safely; we’ll cover that in this article too.)

Let’s take a peek at these health benefits of sunlight and how you can enjoy them safely!

Strengthening bones

Bone health relies on essential nutrients like calcium and vitamin D. Vitamin D is known as “the sunshine vitamin” because sunlight helps our bodies synthesize more of it! In addition to sun exposure, it may be a good idea to take a multivitamin with a combination of vitamin D, vitamin K, and calcium since these all work synergistically. As always, check with your doctor first before starting on any new supplements.

Improving mood

You may have heard of Seasonal Affective Disorder, abbreviated as SAD, which is known to cause depressive symptoms during times of the year with low sunlight. There are theories on why this happens, including lower vitamin D levels, less serotonin production, and a disrupted biological clock. No matter what factors are at play, the connection is clear that sunlight makes us happier and can improve your overall mood!

Sharpening cognition

In addition to improving our mental health, sunlight can also improve our cognitive functioning. Studies looking at the connection between sunlight and brain activity have shown that sun exposure enhances learning and memory.

Boosting immunity

Small doses of sunlight can be helpful in boosting our immunity against viruses and infections — and the reason circles back to vitamin D. This is likely part of the reason why flu infections are more common in the fall and winter months when there’s less sunlight, so taking a supplement could be more important and beneficial at this time of year.

Preventing some chronic diseases

Sunlight and vitamin D don’t just protect us against short-term seasonal diseases. Associations have also been drawn to longer-term, chronic issues like heart disease, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, and even MS. Not having enough vitamin D has also been linked to an increased risk of tumors. It’s important, however, to weigh the risks of skin cancer from unshielded sun exposure. Taking dietary vitamin D supplements is a great way to avoid sun damage and still get the benefits of vitamin D.

Even with all these health benefits of sunlight, it’s important to be careful about how much time you spend in the sun. Too much sun exposure can result in sunburn, sunstroke, dehydration, faster skin aging, and skin cancer.

That’s why a healthy balance is key! Try to plan your outside time for the morning and evening, when the sun isn’t as strong. Wear breathable clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, and apply sunscreen anytime you expect to be in the sun for more than 10 minutes.

See more sun protection tips here, and keep reading the CapTel blog for more health tips! www.captel.com.

Natural Eco-friendly Burial

Natural burial is dignified, eco-friendly, and minimizes the carbon footprint.

Overview of Natural Burial

Natural burial, or green burial, is the interment of an unembalmed body in an earthen grave. It is a burial practice that has been used for millennia and has seen added interest since the 1990s. Natural burial is dignified, eco-friendly, and minimizes the carbon footprint. Prairie Home Cemetery has a Section (12) devoted to Natural Burial in a Prairie setting.

It is not unusual to see wildlife in the prairie. The prairie is a magnet for birds of all kinds and butterflies. In the summer you will notice bird watchers, walkers and people who sit and reflect in this beautiful area.

Please visit but do not remove any seeds or flowers, it is strictly prohibited.

Body Preparation

With natural burial, there normally is no traditional embalming, and the body is wrapped in a burial shroud that is then interred. It may also be placed, either shrouded or unshrouded in a fully biodegradable casket. However with green friendly embalming techniques, families may opt to have a service followed by burial. Please note burial normally takes place within 2448 hours of death.

Caskets

Caskets often times used are of a wicker, sea grass, or wood (or similar solid material) construction, with no metal. No burial vault is used (concrete or other nondegradable permanent device).

Committal Area

The new committal area has a dual purpose:

To serve as a place where families and clergy can hold funeral services

To serve as a place where memorialization of those buried will occur

Cenotaphs

Cenotaphs (large monuments) will be located within this area and hold the names of those individuals that are buried in the prairie. On December 3, 1849, Nathaniel Walton sold three acres of land to Waukesha township. This was the beginning of Prairie Home Cemetery. For more information contact 262.524-3540.