Morning sun can help you lose weight

Besides following a healthy diet and regular exercise, it turns out that there is one easy way that can speed up your weight loss process - sunbathing in the morning. You know, what is the connection?

Morning sun can burn fat under the skin tissue

A new study by researchers at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada reveals that morning sunlight can burn subcutaneous adipose tissue (scWAT) fat cells, or white fat cells that can be found under the skin. The scWAT cell itself is the main fat storage area in the body which plays an important role in helping to regulate the body's metabolism. Ultimately, a better metabolic system helps the body burn fat stores more quickly and efficiently.

As a result, the researchers found that scWAT cells tended to shrink due to exposure to sunlight called blue light, a type of light that can improve focus and mood throughout the day. The research is published in the Journal of Scientific Reports.

Sunlight also helps improve the body's biological clock

Another study conducted by the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine also stated the same thing. The study, published in the journal Plos One, found that people who get frequent sun exposure in the morning have a lower body mass index (BMI) when compared to those who get little or no sun exposure. How did it happen?

This is because sunbathing in the morning helps align the body's biological clock by sending signals to the brain that the morning is the time to wake up and the night is the time to sleep. A stable sleep pattern will help the body's metabolism run more efficiently, so it can help with weight loss.

In addition, naturally, the sun's rays in the morning are stronger than the sun's rays in the afternoons. The reason is, the morning sun has a stronger blue light so that it can affect your body's biological clock or your circadian rhythm.

Adequate sun exposure can also help your body produce more of the happy mood hormone serotonin, which increases your enthusiasm and motivation to live a healthy life.

How long do you have to stay in the sun to lose weight?

Too much sun exposure is harmful to the body because it can cause skin cancer. There really isn't an official benchmark for how much or how long you should be exposed to the sun. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), you only need at least 5-15 minutes of sun exposure on your arms, hands and face two to three times a week without using sunscreen, especially if you have pale white skin.

For the Indonesian region, the recommended sunbathing time is from 10 am to 2 pm. According to experts, it is recommended that you sunbathe for 15-30 minutes between 7-10 am to get the maximum benefits of the morning sun.

You also don't just have to be quiet while sunbathing. Do other activities such as taking a leisurely walk, sitting while reading a book in an open area, watering flowers, washing vehicles, sweeping the yard, etc. which can further burn your daily calories.

Another way to lose weight

Basking in the morning sun certainly doesn't automatically cut the numbers on your scale. In order for your diet program to work effectively, here are some other ways you should do it besides sunbathing in the morning.

Get regular exercise. With regular exercise, the body will burn fat and stimulate muscle growth, so that the body will have a greater proportion of muscle. Make a routine schedule of about 15-20 minutes of exercise every day. You can do cardio or strength training.
Adjust your diet. If done consistently, adjusting your diet especially reducing your daily calorie intake can help you lose weight. Don't forget, cut back on sugary foods and meet your daily nutritional needs from vegetables and fruits that are rich in nutrients.
Enough sleep. Sleep is the most basic need which forms the foundation on which a healthy mind and body are formed. If the foundation is shaky, of course it will have an impact on your health, starting from immune function, energy, appetite, mood and so on.
Drink 2 glasses of water before eating. According to several studies, the habit of drinking enough water before eating is successful in reducing body weight in obese people.