Let the Sun Shine In

I caught a glimpse of the sun going down tonight and it reminded me of my need for sunlight!

Welcome back to Get Motivated Mondays!  I’ve been having a hard time with staying motivated this past week.  I’ve been feeling a bit down and just plain grumpy.  Of course, it rained most of the week and I had little chance to get any sunshine throughout the week.  I didn’t really think about that being the reason, but after I spent some time outside today at an auction, soaking up the rays of sun, I felt so much better!  Earlier in the week, I felt defeated, today, I’ve felt optimistic and ready to take on all that is awaiting me.  What a relief!

So, the question is, why does the sun make me feel better?  

Most of us have heard by now that our bodies need sunlight in order to make vitamin D.  Vitamin D helps to prevent depression.  It also helps you to combat inflammation.  Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, cancer, diabetes, chronic pain, heart disease, rickets, hypertension, thyroid problems, etc.  Who wants to deal with all of that if you can help to remedy it with a small amount of sunshine each day?

How much sunlight do I need each day?

Dr. Mercola recommends 10-20 minutes per day for fair skinned people and longer for those with darker skin pigments.  He also recommends being in the sun until your skin turns a light shade of pink and to expose as much skin as possible during that time.  10-20 minutes a day seems doable doesn’t it?

Although I know it’s getting a lot easier to get our sunshine quota in each day now that it’s getting warmer outside, you still need to try to make a point to get out there.  Especially if you’ve been feeling unmotivated!  In today’s technology age, it can be hard to remember to take some time to get outside.  It’s just as important for our kids as it is for us.  Try playing with them outside, or even just taking a book to read in the sunshine while you let them play.  You’ll feel better!

All this sunshine and depression talk, reminds me of this song.  Have you heard it before?

So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Smilers never lose
Frowners never win
So let the sun shine in
Face it with a grin
Open up your heart
and let the sun shine in.  


Last Monday, I said that today I’d have an interview with a fellow T-tapper who has successfully lost a few clothing sizes and lots of inches in a relatively short amount of time.  Unfortunately, I missed my appointment to interview her, due to a puking baby in the middle of the night.  I totally forgot about our appointment (see, I told you I was out of sorts this week!).  I’m hoping to have that for next Monday’s post, but it depends on when we can get together.  I’ll keep you posted!