Why does the sun make you tired

As most of these repairs happen during our sleep, the immune system works to bring about that result. The result is often a well-desereved and slightly restorative nap. As we sweat, our body loses fluids, and the key to avoiding dehydration is to replenish those fluids at various intervals during the day. According to A. Vogel , one in 10 cases of excessive tiredness can be attributed to dehydration.

Note that dehydration can also cause blood pressure to drop, which can decrease blood flow to and from the brain. Sweat can come as the result of working too hard when the weather is too warm.

Research shows your muscles need more energy than usual when you exercise in the heat , and that can make you more tired. We've become accustomed to spending most of our time in artificial light indoors. That, coupled with all the time we spend staring at screens, has had the effect of making us stay alert and awake for longer. That's because artificial light suppresses production of melatonin, the sleep hormone, and messes with your body clock.

Once the sun goes down, your body will release melatonin, making you feel sleepier earlier than you would if you'd spent the day indoors under artificial light.

To stay hydrated you need to drink fluids. Be sure to have plenty of water and cold drinks on hand and to drink them even before you feel thirsty. Fruits loaded with water—watermelon is a great example—are also good sources of hydrating fluids.

A sports drink to replenish your electrolytes including calcium, potassium, and magnesium , meanwhile, is your best choice if you're going to exercise vigorously while in the sun.

Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugar, and excessive salt as they can contribute to dehydration. Alcohol can be especially problematic as it not only dehydrates you but can make you forget to apply sunscreen or, worse, knock you out only to wake up with a bad sunburn.

Although we all may need different amounts of fluid intake, a sure way to gauge your hydration level is by the color of your urine. It should be light yellow or clear.

The darker your urine is, the more likely you are to be dehydrated. The sun shines strongest between about 10 a. Those are the best times to stay indoors or find a nice shady spot. In fact, sunlight has a bunch of health benefits. For instance, the experts I interviewed pointed out that it increases vitamin D levels, important for absorbing calcium from the gut , bone growth, and other biological functions. It also regulates melatonin, a hormone that helps maintain sleep-wake cycles, Kwatra says.

Regardless of your skin color though, always stay sunscreened up. Too much of a good thing can be dangerous. Excessive sun exposure can heighten the risk of not only skin cancer, but also heatstroke, whose symptoms include rapid breathing and heart rate , altered mental state, headache, and nausea, Kwatra says.

If you notice these, relocate to a cooler place and rest.