A self-professed healer has gone viral after claiming her bizarre "bum sunning" ritual is key to better sleep and boosts energy. Photo / Instagram
A self-professed healer has gone viral after claiming her bizarre "bum sunning" ritual is key to better sleep and boosts energy.
But before you begin to terrorise your local neighbours with your flailing nude limbs, keep this in mind: doctors have already warned against the practice.
Meagan, from California, posted a picture of herself on Instagram practising what she described as "perineum sunning" – a fancy term for lying naked on your back with your legs up while the sun bores directly into you.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Metaphysical Meagan (@metaphysicalmeagan) on
The self-proclaimed healer, who goes by Metaphysical Meagan on social media, said it was part of her "daily rising routine" and that she's even ditched her morning coffee for the practice.
Meagan claimed that just 30 seconds of sun on her perineum – the area between her anus and vulva – was the same as spending a day in the sun fully-clothed.
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She said she's had "surges of energy almost immediately" since starting it and claims her sleep and sexual energy have improved.
"This is truly more energising than slamming cups of coffee and is a great alternative to consuming neurotoxic coffee & caffeine that can disrupt your adrenal gland health," she wrote on her Instagram post.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Metaphysical Meagan (@metaphysicalmeagan) on
Experts have warned Meagan's claims are unfounded and could actually increase your risk of skin cancer.
Dr Diana Gall, from Doctor-4-U, told Insider: "There is no evidence that sunbathing in this way has any effect on physical wellbeing.
"Practising mindfulness comes in many different and safer forms, and there are no extra benefits of doing this naked in the sun."
Shamir Patel, founder of Chemist 4 U, said: "While the healer is only promoting 30 seconds of irregular sun exposure, a sustained period of doing so, could lead to long term sun damage," he said.
He also noted that while Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones, teeth and muscles, there are easier ways – such as going for a walk in the sun or taking a supplement.
Others on social media were quick to slam the ritual as well after one Twitter user went on to share Meagan's post online.
"I hate these people with my life," one person wrote.
Another agreed: "That line about 30 seconds of sunlight, that's got to be made into a song somehow. That is uncut madness."
- additional reporting NZ Herald