We are halfway through February!! I recently moved to Austin from Pittsburgh so right now I feel spoiled. Being a lover of sun and heat, Austin is my happy place; instead of facing snow and temperatures in the teens, I get to walk with my dog each morning in a sweater. Seriously, what could be better?
Welcome to Blog Bites! Blog Bites are short and will explore quick ways to increase wellness and self care.
Today I am talking about SUNSHINE!!
Winter is hard, being inside is hard, it's hard to not drink hot chocolate/tea/wine/kombucha in our slippers while watching the 6th episode in a row of our current marathon. Life is hard. Spiraling is easy. It is easy to be caught in a tornado of gloomy self talk about why you couldn't possibly go outside and be an adult today.
Sunshine can (kinda) fix your life!!
Not only does sun boost our mood but it helps our body function to live our best life. Increasing sun by a little bit every day will do wonders. So try something new and go grab some rays!
Basking in the sun:
Walk outside for 5 mins 2-3X/day
Skip the mittens to soak up sun through your hands
Park farther away *in the sun* for your next errand, shift, social outing etc
Sit near a sunny window (pssst - you don't get all the bennies from this tactic but feeling warmth on your face and being in natural light can still boost mood and mimic other benefits!)
Pick a winter sport, if it's safe, roll up your sleeves for the first 10 mins outside
Eat a meal outside or just enjoy a warm bev if it's chilly!
Find an outside event during the day with heaters
Walk outside with your bestie, s.o, or boss to talk instead of staying indoors (bonus: movement helps your creativity flow!)
Bennies from sun:
Sunlight increases serotonin - you can feel happier, satisfied, and calm after a few minutes - wohoo!
Sunlight is energizing - spending time outside can give you a burst of productivity
Sun triggers regulation of melatonin - we need melatonin to be released as night approaches for the best quality of sleep. More sun = better sleep, who doesn't need that?!
Sunlight gives us vitamin D - vitamin D benefits calcium absorption, bones, teeth, immunity, and reduced risk of certain ailments like diabetes. Sunscreen vastly reduces the bodies ability to process Vitamin D, be sure to partner with your Doc to find out how to safely spend time in the sun
Want to know more about benefits and strategies to be in the sun? Maybe you have a burning question about bodywork or self care? Let me know below!
Have a beautifully sunny week!
Valerie
Disclaimer: I work hard to pull from reliable sources and websites but this post should not be considered a substitute for professional advice from your doctor and health care team.