In 1973, when John Denver sang "Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy," he was exactly right but probably didn't know the science behind that feeling.

Since then, research has found that getting a good dose of sun on your skin in the early morning and without wearing sunglasses can help you sleep better, increase your ability to shed fat, and reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome, which is associated with Type 2 diabetes.

That should make you happy.

One study in the journal Cell found that two kinds of fat cells that provide energy to the body are regulated by light exposure. The researchers concluded that getting a dose of morning sunlight may shrink fat cells below the skin, promoting weight loss.

In another study, women ages 65 and over with higher vitamin D levels (sunlight builds vitamin D) were less likely to gain weight.

And a study in PLOS One looking at the impact of early-in-the-day light exposure on weight found a 34% difference in weight between people with regular early light exposure and those with little or late-day exposure.

Get the power of 10-30 minutes of sunlight daily to help you achieve and maintain a healthy weight and overcome insomnia by regulating your circadian rhythm.

For the rest of the day, wear sunscreen with an SPF of 35 and sunglasses to reduce the risk of skin cancer and cataracts.