"Follow what lights you up and you'll light up the world."
- Rebecca Campbell (Light is The New Black)
I've come to truly appreciate the incredible gift of the sun. Sure, it's a giant ball of gas and shines during the day and disappears during the night, we all know that. I never used to think anything of it. Until I really started to look. I thought, surely this magnificent golden beam of glory is something more than what we think it is. We let it pass as a normal mundane thing that just exists, and we don't take the time to really step back, look up and appreciate it's glory.
I mean, when was the last time you watched the sunset, like really watched it? Do you close up the house and shut the blinds before the sun goes down, then stay tucked up on the couch watching T.V instead of watching the sunset? To me, it's one of the most beautiful occurrences on this planet. Every sunset and every sunrise is different. Each one is unique and perfect in it's own way.
Sometimes I get so overwhelmed with pure joy while watching a sunrise that I start giggling to myself, I might start dancing in the suns rays or even shed a tear for it's absolute beauty. In those moments I am truly happy and I feel like nothing else is needed in my life. Something that does upset me a little is that other people go about their day without even thinking, looking or feeling the suns magnificence.
So I say, look up! Be in that moment and love what the sky holds! Smile at the sun, even if it's just for a perfect second or two. The sun has abilities that many do not even realise...
Sunlight is said to kill bad bacteria and boosts your immune system! Maybe wearing too much sunscreen isn't so great? The suns rays also have benefits on the skin disorders, like acne and eczema.
Sunlight lowers cholesterol. The sun converts high cholesterol in the blood into steroid hormones and the sex hormones we need for reproduction. In the absence of sunlight, the opposite happens; substances convert to cholesterol.
The suns rays lower blood pressure. Even a single exposure significantly lowers blood pressure in individuals with high blood pressure. Sunlight penetrates deep into the the skin to cleanse the blood. It also increases oxygen content in blood, which enhances the body's capacity to deliver blood to the tissues, similar to the effects of exercise.
Most importantly, sunlight can cure depression! When we are sitting in an office for most of our day under neon or artificial lights we are depriving ourselves of the illumination of nature. So get out there and soak up all that vitamin D! Of course, be sun smart and wear sun protection when needed.
Don't be afraid of the sun. It's there for us, to benefit us, to help us grow, to make us happy. Next time you look up into the sky make sure you savour that moment and thank the sun for all it's glory. Don't take a single part of this earth for granted, sunshine included.
With love,
Abby. x
