Challenge #5 - Fresh Air and Sunshine!

Challenge Summary: Spend 20-30 minutes outdoors every day this week. Even if you have to bundle up to bear the chilly temps, try to spend some time outside breathing in the air (go hug a tree while you are out there). Ain't no sunshine?? Go outside anyway - it is still good for you... unless you catch pneumonia and die (just kidding - be reasonable and bundle up please!)

Notes about Fresh Air & Sunshine: When you take in air through your lungs, your red blood cells pick up the oxygen and carry it to the rest of the cells in your body. Your cells then use this steady supply of oxygen in its energy production process called metabolism. If your cells get enough oxygen they will be healthy. Healthy cells make up a healthy body.  Every time you breathe out through your lungs, you let out toxins. These wastes are the by-products of the metabolism that is constantly taking place in your cells.

     If you are always taking in old, stale air you are depriving your cells of one of their most basic needs. The oxygen content of the air will go down continually as you (and whoever else happens to be in the room with you) breathe out carbon dioxide and other wastes.

     Too much or little sunshine has been known to cause an increase in melanin (freckles, age spots), sunburns - typically first or second degree burns, (as with any burn the majority of sunburns are uncomfortable and painful), depression, and cancer.

Outside air is Good ----- Outside air is Bad ---- Sunshine is Good for you ----- Sunshine is Bad for you...

Where is the truth?

Use common sense. The lighter you are, the less sunlight, especially direct sunlight, you need. Try to avoid being out in the direct sunlight between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm. The summer sun is too intense between those times. Catch some rays before 10 am or after 4 pm.  IF you live in a nasty city (air quality), don't go outside on an "orange" day (air pollution level) and think you are going to take in a great amount of good quality air. But you can go to a park or get around some trees to do your deep breathing.