Throwing Shade on Shades
I know! You gotta have your shades. I have never been a sunglass person myself. I don’t even like wearing my reading glasses. I wear hats when I need to only. I guess I just don’t like stuff sitting on my head or face. Don’t go there! I know you did.
But I know some folks just cannot live without their shades. And there are some good reasons to own and wear them. But did you know that shielding your eyes from the sun 24/7 can negatively impact your whole body!
Okay. I know you want to protect your balls. (Not those!) And there’s some research that suggests that the sun can damage your eyes. And perhaps there’s SOME truth to that. According to a 2014 study funded by the National Eye Institute, UV radiation can damage proteins in your eye’s lens. As a result, this can potentially increase a person’s risk for cataracts. That said, the risk for damage increases at certain times of the day. Certain settings, such as being near water or snow, or being in higher altitudes can reflect more light into your eyes, offering a double whammy to those eyeballs!
On the other hand, there are times of the day when shielding your eyes behind sunglasses isn’t such good idea. Studies show that the retina’s light receptors help to control your body’s circadian/internal clock. This is the internal clock that helps to regulate your appetite and sleep! Research has shown that people who get “higher levels” of bright light in the morning tend to sleep better than those who sleep in, or stay in. The lack of sun can throw off your body clock, resulting in sleep deprivation. And, if you read my post on sleep, you know that sleep deprivation can lead to a whole host of serious issues. One of them, is immune function, and ain’t nobody got time for that during a pandemic!
Okay, so you think you look cool and that’s fine. Just don’t keep them on ALL TIME TIME! Get some sun first thing in the morning! Exposing your eyes to natural light is a good thing! Just don’t be out there staring into the sun, like some idiot who will remain nameless did during a solar eclipse! What a bozo!
So, let’s talk eyes and hormones, shall we? Who knew there was a connection? You might have. I certainly did not! Well, THERE IS!
When your eyes take in light, it directly affects your brain’s hypothalamus. And in case you’re like, “My hypo-what?” Your hypothalamus controls many of your body’s vital functions! The hypothalamus regulates the combined actions of the nervous and hormonal systems.
When that light doesn’t hit those eyeballs, it can lead to a complete malfunctioning of your endocrine system. You know that system that makes up the glands that produce and secrete the chemical substances known as hormones. Those hormones regulate how your cells and organs function. They are the messengers that communicate information between cells and body parts. These chemical messengers/hormones regulate growth, metabolism, and sexual function. (I have your attention now, don’t I?)
The glands that make up the endocrine system include the hypothalamus, thyroid, pituitary, parathyroids, adrenals, pineal, and your reproductive organs. The pineal gland benefits directly from the sun. The pineal gland is the one that produces melatonin. Melatonin is a powerful antioxidant necessary for proper sleep and intestinal functions. This entire glandular system can be affected by light received through the eyes.
As we age, things start to malfunction. Hormone production slows and changes on us, and some of these changes result in disease. We already have that working against us! The proper functioning of the endocrine system relies on our eyes being exposed to sunlight. Its absence can totally disrupt and screw up the whole program! Hell, think about seasonal depression during winter months when we don’t get enough sunlight! That lack of sunlight can produce some major changes in our behavior and mood. (As if menopause wasn’t enough!)
Lack of exposure to sun can also lead to nervous system disorders, vitamin D deficiency, (common among my black and brown folks) weakened immune function, as well as cause or aggravate chronic disease.
And fellas, if you think this doesn’t apply to you, you are dead wrong! Sunlight is especially important for increasing testosterone. I’m sure you all know what that hormone is and does! Just exposing your back and chest to sunlight was found to increase testosterone as much as 120%. Sunlight on the testicles raised testosterone production by 200–400%, but don’t be running around with your stuff hanging out, and don’t let me see you out on the street shirtless. It’s not a good look!
The bottom line is that the sun is extremely important to the proper functioning of the human body. Both sunglasses, and toxic sunscreens can negatively impact your health.
Lastly, while indoor full spectrum lighting might provide some eye stimulation, it won’t take the place of getting morning sun into those unshielded eyeballs. So, get some sun in your eyes! But try not to squint! (Causes wrinkles!)
