How is everyone doing? Did you take in a firework show this past weekend or have a big family cookout to celebrate the 4th of July? The weather in Kansas was picture perfect and unusual for July. I’m still trying to adjust to not being at a rodeo over the 4th of July run, which is known as Cowboy Christmas because of the amount of money that can be won over about a 10-day stretch. The month of July is UV safety month. I will try to keep it interesting and relevant to your self-care plan as we learn more about the why behind sunscreen, big hats, and shade trees.
Before we can discuss the benefits and risks of UV rays we must first answer the question, “What are UV rays?” I wanted to find a simple and straight forward answer and found one courtesy of www.epa.com, where UV rays are separated into 3 categories:
Ultraviolet A rays (UVA)
Most UVA radiation reaches the Earth’s surface as the atmosphere does little to shield these rays.
UVA rays are linked to skin aging, eye damage and can also contribute to the risk of skin cancer.
Ultraviolet B rays (UVB)
The amount of UVB rays that reach the Earth’s surface depends on latitude, altitude, time of year, etc., as the Earth’s atmosphere shields us from most UVB rays.
UVB rays are responsible for sunburns, skin cancer, skin aging, and snow blindness.
Ultraviolet C rays (UVC)
None of the UVC rays reach the Earth’s surface as the atmosphere completely absorbs them.
The effects of UVC rays are minimal.
This can sound scary and intimidating, but there are benefits to UV rays and steps we can take to protect ourselves from the negative effects of the sun. We can not and do not want to avoid the sun completely, so make sure you join me next week as we explore the fabulous benefits of UV rays.
Whether this is the first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!
Have a blessed week ~ Lacey