Soaking Up Real Sun

Despite all of the information we hear about how bad the sun can be for your body, few people ever think about how bad a common alternative, tanning beds, can be for the environment.

Aside from being more dangerous for your skin, tanning beds are definitely more dangerous for the earth. Tanning beds use electricity and encourage purchasing new bulbs consistently before they even burn out.


According to the U.S. Food And Drug Administration, experts believe that tanning beds are more dangerous than the natural sun, because the beds are always at the same intensity. You also do not apply sun screen before entering a tanning bed and may not realize that you are developing a sun burn as quickly as you would outside. So, instead of traveling to a tanning salon, travel to a warm beach to catch some rays like I did two years ago with one of my best friends, Chelsea.

The island of Mykonos is known for it’s exotic and beautiful beaches. According to the Mykonos website, this island with 18 beaches attracts sun bathers who want to do anything from partying during the day at Paradise Beach, to relaxing with family in a quieter atmosphere at Glifadi Beach.


Chelsea and I went to Mykonos, excited to see all the beaches after the locals described to us how each one was unique. We loved feeling the warm sun beaming down on us instead of being enclosed in a coffin like a tanning bed. I remember enjoying the feeling of being in control of how much sun I took in and how well I protected my skin. Even in Mykonos, where everyone rushes to the beach, there are ways to limit your exposure to sun that do not harm the environment such as:

• Renting a bungalow or umbrella to cover you.



• Going to the beach later in the afternoon when the sun is not as strong.



• Reapplying sun protection throughout the day.

The best part about visiting the beaches in Mykonos was feeling like I was exposed to the sun without having to lie directly under it all day. Chelsea and I often went to covered restaurants at the beach or listened to live music on white, linen couches under the shade. So, next time you want to tan, consider tanning AT your destination, instead of FOR your destination.