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Why you should still get sunlight even during self-quarantine
The World Health Organization agrees that enjoying the sun in the morning and before sundown has many positive effects in a time of self-quarantine as it can increase blood circulation and help you to detox.
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Sunshine effectively gives you vitamin D that helps you sleep better, reduces stress, boosts the auto-immune system and even gives you stronger bones. (Shutterstock/oatawa)
With the sun beaming all year round, sunbathing is not something that natives of tropical Indonesia tend to do to pass the time.
However, people might not have been getting much sunlight lately as they are shut up inside their homes to avoid the COVID-19 contagion.
Moreover, having a window that opens to the outside air is a luxury in many rooming houses in densely populated areas as these rarely provide windows in their rooms to maximize the space to host more people.
A concerned lecturer of Padjadjaran University, Ersa Tri Wahyuni, has taken to Twitter to remind students to go out and get sunshine in the morning every day to stay healthy.
“Students staying in rooming houses, do not forget to sunbathe every morning; [particularly] from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. Find sunshine and sunbathe; you can do it while reading a book or stretching. The coronavirus does not like heat or sunshine, and, moreover, [sunbathing] can improve the mood and prevent depression. Keep a safe distance; avoid crowds,” she said.
Para mahasiswa yg di kostan, Jangan lupa tiap pagi berjemur ya. Jam 9-10 pagi. Cari matahari dan berjemur, bisa sambil baca buku atau senam ringan. Virus corona tidak suka panas dan sinar matahari juga bisa meningkatkan mood, mencegah depresi. Tetap jaga jarak jangan ngumpul
— Ersa Tri Wahyuni (@ErsaTriWahyuni) March 21, 2020
There is no evidence that sunshine can kill the deadly and highly contagious virus. However, the World Health Organization agrees that enjoying the sun in the morning and before sundown has many positive effects in a time of self-quarantine as it can increase blood circulation and help you to detox. Sunshine effectively gives you vitamin D that helps you sleep better, reduces stress, boosts the auto-immune system and makes stronger bones.
According to healthline.com, your daily dose of vitamin D can be difficult to get only from food, which includes certain types of fish, egg yolks and milk. Not to mention some people might find themselves allergic to the food or simply not have the resources to buy it in this trying time.
Therefore, pandemic or not, getting the proper amount of sunshine every day is good for you. Below are the WHO’s tips on enjoying the tropical sun to combat COVID-19 and spicing up your day in quarantine as compiled by tempo.co:
1. Limit the time of being under direct sunlight
You can improve your immune system and get your daily dose of vitamin D by being under direct sunlight. However, it is advised to spend no more than 30 minutes every day in doing so.
2. Avoid peak hours
Enjoy the sunlight before 10 a.m. and after 3 p.m.
The sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. is harsh and full of dangerous UV light. Exposing your skin to the sun at these hours could cause you serious sunburn.
3. Use sunblock
Do not forget to apply sunscreen or sunblock to protect your skin. Apply protection all the way from head to toe to avoid the bad effects of UVA and UVB.
4. Wear protective clothes
Wear a hat and breathable clothing that covers your shoulders, chest, stomach and other sensitive areas from the sun. (gis/kes)
