All jokes aside, sunbathing is a critical aspect of health and wellness. It has vast implications throughout your body mentally, physically, and spiritually. If you go through your whole life and neglect sunbathing, you will not only be missing out on extra benefits but your body will also be unable to properly function. Vitamin D deficiency is rampant among our population and is linked to many ailments such as rickets, which has made a shocking return in recent years.
That being said, sunbathing can prove to be very dangerous. Many Baggin’ Rays alumni reported having damaged skin that resulted in skin cancer later in life. We know the risks, but as long as you do too then you have nothing to be afraid of.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Baggin’ Rays, what in the world is your club?
Although the members of Baggin’ Rays love to tan and organize outdoor adventures together, we are much more than just a tanning club. Baggin’ Rays is a movement centered around Vitamin D awareness, and our main goal is to rays awareness while encouraging people to simply go outside more! In this day and age too many people are indoors, so whether you like to tan or not you can still undoubtedly benefit from joining our cause!
2. Should I be worried about sun damage if I am going outside?
You should always be mindful of how much sun exposure you are getting, especially if you go out for extended periods at a time. It is critical that you take good care of your body and ensure that you are not getting burned. In order to make sure you are covered, visit a skin expert who can inspect suspicious marks on your body.
3. Baggin’ Rays, I have dark skin and do not want to get darker, should I still tan?
The short answer is yes: In fact, if you have darker pigmented skin then it is MORE important for you to sunbathe. The idea is not just tanning your skin, but rather exposing it to UV light which in turn will produce melanin and Vitamin D. If you have dark skin that is because your ancestors were in the sun a lot; therefore, your body is more used to sun exposure and expects it. Someone who is of, say Irish decent, needs much less exposure to reap the same benefits. If you do not want to get darker, then shorten the period of sun exposure!
4. Baggin’ Rays, I have light skin and I only burn, I can’t tan! Should I still sunbathe?
The short answer again, is yes: Luckily for you, the amount of exposure needed to get adequate Vitamin D in your body is much less than someone with darker pigment. However, it is still critical to expose as much of your body as possible. As mentioned earlier, as long as you are not overexposed then you will experience no negative effects. Try 5 minutes in the sun on each side! Did you burn? If you fit into this category, just exercise caution so you do not damage your future skin health!
5. Baggin’ Rays, what is the optimal time in the sun?
This will vary from person to person and place to place, especially because the UV index and seasons are different everywhere. Just remember, the sun is the sun, and it does not take an expert bagger to enjoy relaxation in the sun. Just a tanning doctor. If you are worried about burning, then the best time of day to sunbathe is towards the late afternoon as the sun is setting, not rising. As it is rising, the UV will be increasing in power and frequency, so it is more likely to cause damage if you are continuously exposed. On the contrary, in the early evening your body will be adjusting to the fact that it is absorbing less and less UV over time. Thus, you are much less likely to experience irritation. General advice: start slow and heir on the side of caution!
WISDOM
A ray a day keeps the doctor away.
Takes Two to Tan.
Vitamin D is always free.
Life is fun, it’s even better when you’re in the sun.
Be there or pale.
Bronze skin is always in.
If you ain’t tanning, you ain’t trying.
They told me I could be anything, so I decided to be tan.
You look better in a bikini. Bikinis look better in a tan.