I was napping and noticed something was tickling my eyes. I could not sleep and came downstairs to nap in my “Comfy Chair.” My eyes were bothering me, I slowly opened one eye, and the brightness was dazzling. I recognized it as the bright, beautiful sunlight.
I walked over to the sliding glass door and looked up to a beautiful blue sky! Not even a wisp of a cloud in the sky. Deep blue, the kind you can get lost in. Immediately I began to feel good. What is it about a beautiful blue sky sunshine day that makes everyone feel good? No matter what else is happening that day, everyone loves the sunshine! Even a 10-below day that is lit up with sunshine is a good day.
Sunshine generates positive feelings. Exposure to sunshine allows for the synthesis of Vitamin D3, can improve the immune system, boosts mood, can improve sleep, help certain skin conditions, and much more. The recommendation is 10 – 30 minutes of being in the sun per day. Of course, after winter, you cannot just go out and spend hours in direct sunlight; a condition almost everyone has experienced is sunburn!
I remember on a trip to Arizona, I sat in the sunshine without my hat on for 45 minutes…To quote a Johnny Cash song: “It burns, burns, burns, the ring of fire!” In Michigan, we average 65-75 days of sunshine out of an entire year! The Great Lakes play a major factor in our lack of sunshine!
The gloom of Fall-Winter for some people causes seasonal affective disorder, a mood disorder that occurs at the same time every year. Light therapy may improve symptoms. You can buy light therapy lamps that a UV free but can simulate sunshine.
Spending time in the sun safely may be good for many people. Could I move my “Comfy Chair” out onto the deck on sunny days? Or at least invest in a chaise lounge chair!
Several friends have been trying to convince me to start practicing another natural remedy with the warmer weather approaching called “Earthing!” It is the practice of being connected to the earth. One way is to remove your shoes and socks and plant your feet directly on the ground at Terra Firma! Benefits are Improved sleep, reduced inflammation, and promote healing.
Fresh air, earthing, plenty of sunshine, and water. Does that make me a plant? So, I plan to plant my feet on the ground to promote earthing in a very sunny area to promote vitamin D3 and include meditation or chanting. In that case, I may revert to myself in the 60s. That may be too much change too soon; I will just start out sitting on my deck in the sunshine!
“Remember, every day is a gift! Some are just a little more fun to open than others. – © Joel M. Vernier 05/01/2023 Author of: “The Guinea Pig In The Freezer.” joelmvernier@aol.com
