The Summit at Sunland Springs | Senior Living in Mesa
The Mesa, Arizona lifestyle and desert living can’t be beaten for Seniors. From the breathtaking landscapes and mild winters, to the friendly locals in each town, Arizona is a great place to live, regardless of your age. In addition to the beauty, living in the desert also provides incredible advantages to senior health and quality of life.
Read on to discover all the incredible health benefits of the desert lifestyle.
What are the Benefits of Sunlight?
Sunny Arizona days aren’t only great for a day out full of adventure. While sunshine is enjoyable, it can also make us mentally and physically healthier. All thanks to vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin found naturally in sunlight, those gorgeous desert days can offer health advantages like the following:
Boosts the Immune System
One of the many reasons more people get sick during the winter could be a lack of the vitamin D. Vitamin D, naturally found in sunlight helps the body function more effectively, thus protecting and enhancing immunity.
Support Better Sleep
Sunlight supports better sleep and sets people’s circadian rhythms by regulating serotonin and melatonin levels. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the body in the evening when it’s time to prepare for sleep. Waking up to bright light tells your body to stop making melatonin, setting your body up for your day. You can sleep better at night if you get an hour of light in the morning.
Reduced Symptoms of Depression
People have a higher risk of depression, anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, or SAD if they have low vitamin D levels. Thankfully, light therapy or some natural sunlight can increase vitamin D production. This helps with depression symptoms and improves overall mental health and well-being.
Stronger Bones and Teeth
Vitamin D plays a critical role in the body’s absorption of calcium. With sufficient sunlight, calcium is absorbed more effectively, and the bones, joints, and teeth are more robust. Not getting enough vitamin D can be bad for bone health. Your bones can become soft or weak without this essential nutrient. Long-term deficiency can even contribute to osteoporosis.
Increase Energy
Sunshine sends signals to our brain to be alert and awake. During the sunny times of the year, we have more energy because our brains are activated more. In other words, being outdoors in the sunshine can help you feel more lively and energetic.
Lower Blood Pressure
Sunshine benefits circulation and may be as effective as medication in reducing blood pressure in some people. It’s thought that sunlight triggers the skin to release stores of nitrogen oxide, which cause arteries to dilate, lowering blood pressure, which is good for cardiovascular health.
Healthier Eyes
Getting sufficient vitamin D levels is linked to lower cases of both cataracts and macular degeneration. Macular degeneration is a disease that affects a person’s central vision.
Heal Inflammation
Sunlight triggers suppression of the immune system. While doctors do not usually prescribe time in the sun, it can surely help with inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and acne. Sunlight has also improved autoimmune diseases such as arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Reduced Stress
Exposure to sunlight can do wonders for stress levels. Adding some vitamin D will reduce stress, make you feel happier, and even improve the quality of your sleep.
What are the Advantages of a Warm, Arid Climate?
For some people, cold weather and humidity can be hazardous. Thankfully, the dry desert air can help in managing illnesses like the following:
Asthma
Humidity and high pollution levels can increase the risks associated with asthma attacks and make them more severe in nature. Many people choose senior living in Mesa for its effects on asthma and other lung diseases. Cold weather, pollution, and high humidity may irritate your respiratory system. People are known to experience better breathing and less painful flareups living in the desert.
Arthritis
Rain, humidity, and cold weather can majorly impact illnesses like arthritis and osteoporosis. The desert climate has been shown to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joints, helping enhance mobility and overall quality of life.
Heart disease
Not only is humidity unpleasant, but it can also increase the risk of heart attack and worsen the effects of heart disease. The arid desert climate can reduce these risks. Thanks to the relaxing effects of a desert lifestyle, the sunshine can even improve the symptoms of cardiovascular disease.
Visit Summit at Sunland Springs | Senior Living in Mesa, AZ
Arizona is a gorgeous, exciting place to live. And with its sunny days and warm, dry climate, it is an excellent place for memory care residents to enhance physical health, improve psychological well-being, and live a happier, healthier lifestyle. Visit Summit at Sunland Springs, your home for senior living in Mesa.