Improve Your Days With Sunshine
By Donna Stark
Getting ready to hunker down for the cold, dark, and dreary winter season? Do you have all your fuzzy blankets washed and favorite movies lined up so you can stay inside and enjoy the coziness of your home? It sounds like a perfect plan, but you may want to reconsider your avoidance of the outside because you could be doing yourself a huge disservice. Staying indoors for the entire day can affect your energy and moods, and could even have an impact on your overall health and wellness. So, here are some suggestions on how you can add a little bit of sunshine and a lot of fresh air to your days. Take a look.
Prioritize It
Fresh air and sunshine need to be on the top of your priority list during the long winter months, which means you need to be intentional about scheduling them in. By scheduling them into your days and staying committed, heading outdoors may even become a lifelong habit! And that would be great, because the benefits that come from doing so are too important to miss out on.
Head Out Early
Studies have shown that natural light helps the body wake up, so go ahead and roll out of bed as soon as you can. But before you do anything to start your day (and that even means grabbing your cup of joe), head outdoors for some morning sunshine first. It's the fastest way to energize your body.
Take Your Calls Outside
If you are one of the many who are working from home, and your outside environment is quiet, take your calls outdoors. There is no better way to get some sunshine on your face while still getting work accomplished. Just be sure to get ready a few minutes before the call is to occur. Grab your jacket and anything else you might need before you start.
Set Alarms
It may feel weird to set alarms for your outside "play," but if your schedule is packed and you lose track of time easily, alarms may be exactly what you need! Try to schedule several throughout the day if you can. They don't need to be long, even just 10 minutes per session will do your body some good!
Improving Your Days
Sure, it may be cold outside, but the reality is you will probably only be out there for short periods of time. And with a jacket, scarf, and gloves, you may not be affected by the chilly temperatures as much as you think you will be, but you will be thankful for the sunshine!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Eagan, Minn.