Sunshine Part II: Why Smart Sunbathing Is Essential for Energy, Immunity, and Long-Term Health
You’ve been told to avoid the sun.
We’re here to tell you: it’s time to rethink that.
Sunlight—specifically safe, intentional exposure to it—is one of the most underestimated health tools available to us. At Fasting in Paradise, we guide women back to the simple inputs the body craves: clean water, fresh air, stillness, and yes—sunlight and earthing.
In a previous post, we explored the benefits of sunrise and circadian rhythm. Today, let’s dive deeper into the science of sunbathing, and why your body may be asking for more sun, not less.
The Truth About Vitamin D: Why Supplements Aren’t Enough
You’ve probably heard of Vitamin D3—maybe you even take a supplement. But here’s the truth:
Sunlight is the body’s most natural, bioavailable source of Vitamin D.
Supplements and fortified foods have their place, but they bypass a critical process: your skin’s ability to convert cholesterol into Vitamin D3 via UVB light.
This matters, because:
Sunlight-induced Vitamin D activates a cascade of immune and hormonal functions.
Supplementation alone doesn’t fully replicate this conversion process.
Even high-dose pills can't match the bioavailability and energy benefits of the real thing.
In short? The sun does what your supplement can’t.
What the Science Says About Sunlight
✔️ Energy & Mitochondrial Health:
Sunlight stimulates mitochondrial function—your cells’ energy engines. Without regular exposure, your body loses one of its key sources of vitality, contributing to fatigue, burnout, and inflammation.
✔️ Cholesterol Conversion:
A 2023 study found that participants who sunbathed (rather than took supplements) not only had higher Vitamin D levels, but also experienced a decrease in cholesterol. Why? Because sunlight helps convert 7-dehydrocholesterol in the skin into usable D3—lowering excess cholesterol in the process.
✔️ Reduced Cancer Risk:
Vitamin D plays a protective role in the regulation of cell growth. Studies show a correlation between adequate sunlight exposure and reduced risk of breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancers.
✔️ Mental Health & Mood:
Sunlight boosts serotonin production and helps regulate melatonin. This supports better sleep, balanced hormones, and can ease symptoms of anxiety, depression, and seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
How to Sunbathe Safely (And Still Reap the Benefits)
Let’s get practical. Here’s how to sunbathe responsibly and effectively:
1. Know Your Limits
Your skin type, location, and current health all impact how long you should stay in the sun.
Start small—10 to 20 minutes is often plenty, especially if you’re new to this practice or healing inflammation.
✅ Pro Tip: Use the Dminder app to track your Vitamin D synthesis and safe exposure times based on your location and skin tone.
2. Ditch the Chemical Sunscreens
To get the full benefit of sun exposure, your skin needs to absorb UV rays—for a short, calculated window of time.
After that, if you’re staying out longer, opt for mineral-based sunscreens that are free from hormone-disrupting chemicals. Look for EWG-approved products safe for your body and for ocean life.
3. Cover Sensitive Areas
Your face and chest are more prone to sun-related skin aging. Use a wide-brimmed hat or lightweight cover to protect these areas while still allowing the rest of your skin to soak up the light.
4. Delay the Shower
Avoid washing off natural skin oils for a few hours after sunbathing. These oils contain the precursors that convert to active Vitamin D. Let your body do its work before rinsing it away.
5. Don’t Overdo It
The goal is enough exposure to activate Vitamin D, not enough to burn. If you’re healing, inflamed, or prone to sun sensitivity, start even smaller. This is about calibration, not intensity.
At Fasting in Paradise, Sunlight Is Part of the Protocol
When our guests arrive at Fasting in Paradise, we don’t just detox their bodies—we help reset their light cycles, too. Sunbathing becomes medicine: a daily practice that restores circadian balance, renews energy, and revives the body from the inside out.
And unlike supplements or routines that lose their luster, this is something you’ll feel immediately—and carry home with you.
Want to Experience the Full Reset?
We’re curating a waitlist for women ready to stop piecing together wellness and start feeling whole again.
From precision detox protocols to morning sun rituals, we’ve created a retreat that doesn’t just look good—it helps you feel good again.
Join the waitlist for Fasting in Paradise and be the first to know when our next retreat opens: