The Sun

While I research and get into the nitty gritties of essential oils, I want to take a brief break to give props to that big ball o' gas up in our sky: the sun.



One thing that I have fully embraced from Dr. Graham's 811 program is to get at least 20-30 minutes of sunlight a day. This is information that has been spread by several different media, however - I somehow missed it. I also somehow failed to understand that just being outside was not enough. I um, thought it was being 'out in the sun' to walk from my house to my car to the store to the car to the house. I considered it an achievement. Eesh.

Every single day, I try to have my breakfast outside. It's so RELAXING and it fills me with energy for the day. I love it. I usually take refuge during the more intense hours (10 AM-4 PM), and then go back outside with Ester for the evening hours. I love gardening in the cooler evening hours and seeing all the bugs come out. That has literally bitten me in the ass a few times (ha!), but for some reason, the buggie world is just AMAZING to me.

So, let's get to a few known benefits given by the sun's rays:

1) It can prevent several types of cancer, from breast to prostate. Yes, please.

2) Vitamin D. Osteoporosis, what? Vitamin D plays a vital role in calcium absorption in our bones, strengthens our muscles, and boosts our immune system. It also helps break down cholestrol, and we all know that stuff is nasty.

3) It can prevent depression. SAD is sad. Avoid it, plz thx.

4) Lower blood pressure.

5) It gets you PUMPED. Your heart, that is. Sunlight increases the cardiac output of your heart, which means your heart is able to pump more blood. That's a good thing, for deffo.

Need more? Google it. It's AMAZING. (Has 'google' officially become a verb? Hmm.)

Yes, there is a risk of skin cancer, however: be smart about it. Don't excessively tan or burn your skin. It's vain, it's not necessary, and you will look like a sack of leather in ten years. Every time you burn your skin on purpose, you are courting skin cancer. I don't know if you're aware, but that is not such a good idea. If you know you are going to be out in the sun for an extended period of time, protect yourself. I have heard from the raw community to use coconut oil, but that's yet another thing I have yet to delve into!

Until then, get outside and smile at the sky. It smiles back and gives you a big old warm hug, and we can use all the extra hugs we can get these days.

Peace!

<3,
Sarah