With much of Australia gripped by wintery chills this past week, sunny days are highly valued. But we’re often warned that, as a country, we’re the skin cancer capital of the world. We have to take measures to protect ourselves against the sun at all times, right?
Not quite. More than 30% of Australian adults have a mild to moderate Vitamin D deficiency. Some exposure to sunlight is healthy, and nothing beats basking under nature’s heater during those particularly icy winter days.
Check out how long you should be under the Aussie sun each day during winter!
Keep in mind these suggestions only apply to the winter months. UV light is much more punishing during the summer months. Fairer skinned Aussies only need 5-10 minutes of sunshine during summer, depending on which state you’re living in. If your skin is naturally darker, you’ll need 15-50 minutes.
So when the temperature rises and the days lengthen, take precautions to keep your skin free from damage. Seek out some shade, pop on your best shades, pair it with a hat and lather up the sunscreen!
If you have vampiric tendencies or you’re just frequently indoors, there are other options. Although sunlight is the best source of Vitamin D, you can turn to certain foods like fatty fish (tuna or salmon). Along with boosting your vitamin D levels, you also have an added bonus of omega-3! Mushrooms are another option. If you’re not a fan of the rubbery texture, cook them and mix it up with some pasta!