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Why You Need More Moments of Sunshine

One of the first things we tend to do when we go outside is take a deep breath. Have you ever noticed that? Imagine right now stepping outside your home, apartment building or office building. You step out into the sunshine, notice the change in temperature, take a deep breath, notice the smells. You might even comment on what you see, smell or hear. 

That pause is magical and life giving. 

You know what doesn’t happen when you go outside? You are less likely to look at your phone, computer or television. That time away from your screens helps to clear your head and reduce stress.

Ask any health expert the key to good health and you’re likely to hear things like exercise, sleep, stress control and of course, good nutrition. 

And each of those areas can be improved upon with being outside. 

In fact, Dr. Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist and professor at Stanford School of Medicine, names sunlight as one of the Big 6 for self care and mental health. 

A Sunshine Story

I have an annual ritual with my very best friend of 30+ years.

Every year we spend a few days together in Sedona, Arizona. The first time she invited me, I thought “Ugh. The dessert?” It sounded hot, dry and miserable.

I was so wrong. It’s perfect in the shade, cool in the early morning and evenings and absolutely beautiful. 

We spend so much time outside. Hiking in the morning, pool in the afternoon and walking to dinner in the evening. It’s one of those vacations where you start thinking, why don’t I always live like this?

After a few days, I feel like a new woman. Sure, being your bestie will do that. But, there is something about spending all of that time outdoors.

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray, you’ll never know dear how much I love you, please don’t take my sunshine away.”

This song popped into my head while I was writing this article and so I went on a bit of journey reading about the history of the song and some of the meaning behind the words. 

My favorite thing I found is that at its core the song is about love and hope. Two things I love almost as much as avocados and blueberries. Or sweet potatoes and tahini.

Fun fact: You Are My Sunshine is also one of my BFF’s favorite songs.

The Thing about Outside

The biggest benefit of getting outside is getting sunlight. Sunlight can have a positive effect on every area of your health and wellbeing. Here are four big ones:

Improve sleep. 

Getting morning sunlight in your eyes helps your body set your circadian clock, your internal rhythm, which helps to control your sleep-wake cycles. Even better if you can also get lowlight sun in your eyes in the evening.

Improve mood. 

Exposure to sunlight can increase your body’s ability to produce serotonin, the feel good hormone. Low levels of serotonin are associated with a higher risk of depression.

Strengthen your bones. 

Vitamin D is both a hormone our bodies make and nutrient we eat. It’s difficult for most people to consumer enough vitamin D through food, making beautiful sunlight the best source of vitamin D. And why does that matter? Because vitamin D is best friends with calcium, helping your body to absorb more calcium to improve your bone density.

Feel more energized. 

Vitamin D helps to reduce inflammation, which can affect your immune system and energy levels. So, looking for ways to reduce inflammation (like getting direct sunlight and eating anti-inflammatory foods, which I touch on in my article on eating Real Food), is a step toward having more energy.

In addition, sunlight tells your body to pump out some cortisol, which gets a bad wrap for being the “stress” hormone, but a little bit of that “get up and go” is a good thing. This is especially useful early morning or after lunch, before that afternoon slump hits you. 

Get More Sunshine

Whether or not you have a trip somewhere sunny planned, the weather is warming up for most of us. There will be more opportunities to enjoy the benefits of the outdoors and soak up the sunshine. I hope you embrace those moments and even look for ways to add more sunshine to your life. You will feel better, sleep better and look better.

Here are a few ideas:

*Get morning sunlight in your eyes. If you aren’t already, follow the Huberman protocol of getting 15-20 minutes of morning sunlight in your eyes within one hour of waking. Do not look directly at the sun. Drink your morning coffee in the sun. Take a walk.

*Take a phone call outside. 

*Add one day of the week as an outside workout. Go for a long walk or run. Go for a hike.

*Eat a meal or snack outside. Look at the trees instead of your computer, watch the birds instead of TikTok.

*Start a project or hobby that gives you a reason to be outside everyday. Like bird feeding, gardening or painting. Ok, that might be ambitious, but I feel like you may have it in you.

One Last Thing

On those days when you think I don’t have any time (or energy) to do one thing for myself today, here is your one thing:

Take a step outside. Take a deep breath. Let the fresh air and sunshine wash over you. Be grateful for this moment. 

Repeat as needed.

Be well, my lovelies.

Margaret Faintich

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