TJ Walker (YouTube video) argues that moderate daily sun exposure has broad health benefits that can outweigh risks if sunburn is avoided. He cites studies linking sun exposure to lower mortality (a 2024 UK study reporting 12–15% lower mortality; a Swedish/Karolinska-linked finding of ~50% lower risk) and to reduced rates of multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and some cancers. He explains plausible mechanisms (nitric oxide lowering blood pressure; bright light regulating circadian rhythms to improve sleep and mood) and offers practical advice: get modest daily sun and exercise, use sunscreen, and see a dermatologist annually. He warns this is not a substitute for treatment of severe clinical depression.
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Sunlight's hidden benefits. For decades, health advice emphasized sun avoidance to reduce skin cancer risk. But new research suggests that moderate sun exposure provides broad health benefits. Studies show it can lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis, even and improve mental health. Researchers also note that bright light helps regulate circadian rhythms, aiding sleep and reducing depression. Dermatologist Richard Weller summarized it this way, the big picture is that the benefits of sunlight outweigh the risk, provided you don't get sunburnt. The message is shifting. Don't avoid the sun entirely. Be smart. So what's the real message here? Stop avoiding the sun at all costs. Some sunlight every day can benefit you massively. It can help you sleep better and it can ward off depression, sometimes faster and easier than taking another pill or another drink. Let's dig a little bit deeper here. There was a study in the United Kingdom, this is in 2024, that showed a 12 to 15% lower mortality rate with sun exposure. A Swedish study showed that sun seekers live longer, half the risk of death. The this is according to the Lindquist Karolinska Institute. As I mentioned in the news read, sun exposure is linked to lower rates of ms, diabetes and some cancer. Doesn't mean it's causation, but there is correlation there. So there are a lot of benefits. It produces nitric oxide, which is so beneficial, lowers blood pressure. I just think a lot of people say, oh, you know, sun's bad for. I'm going to stay in today. Well, what do you do when you're staying inside? Quite often it's sitting, which isn't healthy, staring at a screen, which isn't healthy, staring at a screen, getting angry about, oh, here's someone you don't like, did something you don't like, getting angry and then rage tweeting, which is what a lot of people do. Here's what I think you and I need to both understand a little more is if you're feeling a little bit down, you're gonna be bombarded with so many ads today for this drug. Ask your doctor about this. Ask your doctor about this mood enhancer. Get this, get this new potion, this pill, this, take it gummy. All these things we can take to make us feel good, when maybe all you need is a walk outside in the morning, getting some direct sunlight. Now, if you have severe clinical depression, I'm not telling you, disregard advice from your doctor or your psychiatrist or go off your med. That's not the advice I'm giving you. What I am telling you is all human beings occasionally are feeling a little gloomy down in the dumps. And there's a lot of research showing just going outside. Some moderate exercise, like walking for 15 minutes, does so much to enhance your mood in many aspects, or in some cases more so than therapy, more so than mood enhancing drugs. There's so many drugs that people are on to alter depression. Not saying, don't take them, but start off by getting more sunshine and getting a walk. Sure, put on sunscreen. I put on sunscreen every day. They get sunshine every day. A little easier for me. I live in the sunshine state of Florida. There's a lot of sunshine. But here's the thing to think about. The sun doesn't have its own ad network. It doesn't have its own marketing department. You're not going to be bombarded with ads all day long saying, hey, get up from your desk, get up from your chair, walk outside and get 10 minutes of sun and walk around. There's no advertising campaign for that. There are advertising campaigns for Snoop Dogg's gummies. There are a lot of big pharmaceutical companies that will give you ads and bombard you with ads. Talk to your doctor if you're feeling down to take this new drug to boost your mood, when maybe what you need, or at least as a part of the mix, is getting a little more sunshine every day. And yes, by all means, see a dermatologist once a year and get checked for skin cancer. But don't simply avoid sun because you're thinking you're doing it for your health, because it's not necessarily healthier.
