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Lay under the summer sun, get a tan and have some fun; that's a regular thing to do, when the summer comes down on you. Sun bathing is a regular feature that most of us enjoy and look forward to especially after a long, cold and dry winter.

Despite the fact that there are numerous tanning parlors all over the country, enjoying a natural sun tan is an experience in itself. Spending the day at the beach, or by the pool is best for sunbathing. You can just chill out with family and friends coupled with food and all that scenic beauty of the beach. While all of this sounds like much fun, certain careful steps need to be taken before you head into the sunny side of town.

Health Benefits

Have you ever heard of heliotherapy? Heliotherapy refers to strengthening the body using the healing properties of solar energy. History reveals that many of the highly developed civilizations including the Egyptian civilization had sun gardens, since sunbathing was a regular and healthy practice. The sun was also given the status of God. While we need not go to such extremes, there are a number of benefits that we could obtain from the sun.

• Vitamin D : Research has proven the importance of Vitamin D for the body. Sunlight is one of the most natural and free sources of Vitamin D. Regular sunbathing can thus help ward of certain conditions that are a result of lack of Vitamin D. It helps maintain the calcium balance, thus keeping your bones stronger and of right density.
• Keeps you Strong : Historical evidence proves that the Romans had the gladiators sunbathing in order to enlarge and strengthen their muscles.
• Strengthens Immunity : Results of a study conducted by Thorwald Madsen a Danish scientist showed that infectious diseases are not a regular feature of the summers. The summer sun therefore a natural killer of infection causing bacteria and viruses.
• Other health Benefits : Though not scientifically proven, people who regularly sunbathe are less prone to conditions like high blood pressure, insulin intolerance, high cholesterol and reduction in blood cell count. Besides this, sun bathing can also help in avoiding conditions like osteoporosis. Arthritis and Alzheimer's disease.

Tips to Ward off the Dangers of Sunbathing:

Needless to say that anything done in excess can be detrimental to health. The same goes with sun bathing; while this could be one of the most beneficial treatment options, it can also be one the most dangerous and therefore care should be taken.

• Avoid too much exposure : Excess exposure to the sun's UV rays can increase the risks of developing skin cancer. This is a major concern now mainly because of the polluted environment causing harm to the ozone layer that protects the earth.
• Use Suntan Lotions : While a little tanned skin can be aesthetic, you should avoid getting your skin burnt or damaged. Air skinned people are more prone to sun burns as compared to those with darker skin.
• Eat Right : Avoid adding toxins to your body through the foods that you eat. Eat healthy nutritious foods as it works well in capturing the complete benefits of the sun. Cooling foods like cucumbers, fruit juices, tomatoes, crabs, and so on work well. So open the doors and windows and let the light shine through; go ahead and bathe in the glory and brightness of the summer sun.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.