There are probably thousands of songs about sunshine… how happy it makes us and how its warmth fuels the soul. The famous Temptations sang about how love feels like sunshine on a cloudy day. As the center of our solar system, the sun fills our days with beautiful, life-supporting light. It’s also the happy icon we seek when we check the weather forecast for our days off!
Other Benefits of the Sun
Besides the brightness which this blazing star brings to our world, it provides a multitude of health benefits – ones that are essential for strength and fitness.
According to The Active Times, “When natural sunlight hits the skin it triggers the body’s production of vitamin D. Vitamin D is also known as ‘the sunshine vitamin.’ It is a crucial ingredient for overall health; protects against inflammation, lowers high blood pressure, helps muscles, improves brain function and may even protect against cancer.”
While there’s no magic bullet that will protect you from potential physiological problems, letting a little sunshine in will help provide that key vitamin D. It can be challenging to get the recommended amount of this nutrient through diet alone, although foods like salmon, egg yolks, and mushrooms can give you some of what you need.
At the end of the day, you should consult with your doctor, but would you rather pop a supplement or dedicate 10-15 minutes in the sun to get the daily recommended vitamin D dose?
Sunshine and Sleep
In more sunlit news, an interesting study detailed in Forbes took a look at how exposure to sunlight “could be the cure for what ails millions of insomniacs.” Once again, as opposed to taking a sleep aid and perhaps becoming reliant on a drug to deliver essential slumber, a more natural method could be a healthier choice.
According to this Forbes article, “The study focused on the sleep quality of 49 day-shift office workers (27 in windowless workplaces and 22 in workplaces with windows). Researchers wanted to find out if more natural light exposure during the day resulted in more restful sleep at night. Using an evaluation tool called the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and a monitoring technique known as ‘actigraphy,’ they were able to determine if office workers with windows fared better in dreamland than their walled-off counterparts. The results showed that they did. Compared to workers in windowless offices, those with windows received 173 percent more natural white light exposure during work hours and slept an average of 46 minutes more per night.”
Adding that “morning sunlight exposure is linked to sounder sleep” this would be an interesting experiment to try yourself to see if you wake feeling more refreshed from a longer slumber after 15 minutes in the morning sun.
The Dark Side of the Sun
We all know the effects of over-exposure. Sunburn, premature skin aging, skin damage, and skin cancer top the list. On the bright side, the healthcare industry has done an incredible job of educating people about how to protect themselves from those harmful rays – the ultraviolet (UV) radiation which the sun generates. Skin care products flood store shelves while protective clothing designed to deflect harmful solar radiation is very popular. More people are adding a board-certified dermatologist to their roster of annual doctor appointments.
We love the sun. We’re in the home improvement financing business. Pools, pergolas, patios, and outdoor kitchens are our specialty. There’s nothing better than creating an outdoor retreat in your own backyard.
Whether you love your relaxing staycations or entertain on a regular basis, the new hearth to the modern home is outdoors. From firepits to wood fire pizza ovens, the outside is what’s in today.
So besides making sure your guests have access to plenty of sunscreen, there are beautiful (and affordable!) ways to offer shelter from the sun while still enjoying the vista of your sparkling backyard pool.
Our Three Favorite Ways to Beat the Backyard Heat
There is a plethora of textiles and structures that are fashionable while being functional.
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Sun Sails
These versatile swatches of color are lighting up all kinds of outdoor spaces. Available in an endless array of colors and patterns, UV-protected high-density polyethylene fabric is fashioned into shapes like triangles and rectangles.
Stretched taut and secured between fences and roofs, or supported by beams or poles for a standalone installation; patios, lawns, gardens, pools, ponds, and decks revel in the welcoming shade they provide.
What’s particularly unique about this sun protection solution is that every design is distinctive. You can cover the expanse of your deck with one or utilize various multi-colored sails over your pool for a festive effect. Because they are available in a wide price range and are pretty easy to install, sun sails are our number one pick for their versatility.
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Shade Umbrellas
The aspect about these traditional shade suppliers that has changed is how the umbrellas are mounted.
Choices include a cantilever umbrella on a stand. They gracefully arch over a table and its chairs, providing a cooler refuge. The larger and heavier ones come equipped with wheels so you may cart the shade to wherever you need it. Smaller pool umbrellas supported by a buoy can float on the water for personalized coverage!
For a streamlined effect, some pool owners have mounting holes drilled into the tile so an umbrella can easily be erected then removed and stowed in inclement weather. With Bluetooth speakers and/or LED lighting options, today’s shade umbrellas boast some vibrant personality.
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Gazebos
This is your place to shine! These shelters are a party unto themselves. They make a dramatic statement and can be tied into your backyard’s design aesthetic with textiles, bringing your outdoor space together. These structures are typically round or octagonal and can accommodate two to twenty people.
If you are keeping yourself to a budget, you can buy a steel-framed, pop-up gazebo with mosquito netting and ground stakes to anchor it. If you are looking for something more luxe, you can create a stunning setting complete with a fireplace and a wine fridge. By installing windows with screens, you’ve created a three-season room, or a fabulous guest retreat!
“In the late 18th century gazebos were built into hillsides to accentuate the grandiose countryside views and also doubled as a way to watch for intruders.”
Today, all you need to do is build the dream and uncork that Pinot Grigio! As pool financing solution experts, we wish you many happy days in your corner of paradise.
Lyon Financial loves the difference we can make for your family by providing something that puts years of memories within reach. Call 877-754-5966 for more information about how you can get the shade solution you want at a price you can afford.
