I recently read this article from Outside magazine in Reader’s Digest. I’m a person who easily sunburns, so even though I enjoy the outdoors, I have always avoided exposure to direct sunlight as much as I could. The article argues that the benefits of sun exposure outweigh the relatively small risk of the deadliest skin cancers. I found it compelling; read for yourself.
And here’s an article that specifically addresses the “sunshine therapy” idea that early morning sunlight exposure helps you sleep better at night. If you Google something like “bright morning light sleep,” you’ll find links to studies about the phenomenon.