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In almost every culture since the beginning of time, the sun has been seen as a source of life, health and vitality. The ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, Greeks and Romans, the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas, and even the early Chinese, Japanese, and Indian cultures all believed that sunlight was beneficial. Sunlight was seen as a type of medicine.
In today’s culture, however, we’re inundated with messages that tell us that exposure to sunlight is dangerous. Skin cancer resulting from being out in the sun is nearly epidemic. Of course we live in a completely different world. Pollution, global warming and a thinning Ozone layer around the earth’s atmosphere are elements that our ancient counterparts could not even imagine.
But has the shift from the sun being healthy to harmful swung completely to the other side?
It seems difficult to believe that at least SOME exposure to sunlight is not beneficial. Experience and common sense seem to say that it is. Especially in terms of the psychological effects that sunlight can have on lifting our mood.
I do, however, understand the dangers from over-exposure. Too much of anything — even a good thing — is a bad thing.
I recently ran across an article on EarlytoRise.com talking about a book written by Dr. Herbert Shelton in 1934 called The Hygienic System, Volume III: Fasting and Sunbathing. (A free download of this book is provided by EarlytoRise.com). In this book, Shelton argues for a more benevolent view of the sun’s benefits to our health.
I personally tend to believe our ancient ancestors more than our modern scientists (who tend to bounce around back and forth in terms of what they recommend as being "good" for us.) But, like all things in life, I believe that moderation is the key.
Stay healthy.
Tags: ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, Babylonians, early to rise, Greeks, health, Incas, Mayans, modern science, Romans, skin cancer, sunbathing, sunlight
