The Two Most Vital Things in My Life are Sunlight and Love
CHOSE SIMPLICITY. GO BACK TO BASICS
When feeling my worst, you can always find me rising early, with a light jacket, some jogging shorts, and a basic t-shirt with earbuds in my ear, walking and waiting for the sun to rise in a prime viewing location. Personally, I’ve never had any issues waking early, and when my depression or fibro spikes, I never sleep very well anyway. But the second my foot makes that step out the door, and I take a deep breath of Colorado’s fresh air, I feel like I’m alive again. It’s renewing and the feeling of being alive is vital in winning the fight against any kind of funk you may find yourself in. When looking for small wins against your own darkening cloud, you can always go back to the very basics. Simplicity seems to work best in these situations.
KEEP IT MANAGEABLE
Small steps are easily attainable, manageable, and give you a small sense of accomplishment. Just waking up and getting out of bed makes a huge difference for me personally. Fresh air and the warm rays of the sun are vital in making me feel closer to life and happiness. The second I work up my courage to get up and outside, I’m winning the first battle I will fight that day. There is nothing like fresh early morning air, it’s almost as good as sex, almost! Watching the sunrise makes you feel like there is a greater purpose. It’s revitalizing, today truly is a new day to start fresh.
SURROUND YOURSELF WITH BEAUTY. RECONNECT BODY AND MIND
I’ve always enjoyed taking walks, music and two feet are all that you need. Unfortunately in my current state having the ability to walk any distance is tough, but that’s exactly what makes these morning walks so sacred and important. Depending on how I am feeling I’m usually spending my time waging silent wars in my head, or reflecting and planning for a better future. Either way, this is ultimately my time devoted entirely to living in the moment, to regroup and reconnect my body and my mind. I want to be with my wife all day every day but this time in the early morning, is my time, and it makes the world’s difference. I live in a beautiful area and the walk alone is breathtaking, with a wide-open grass field and the mountains, including Pikes Peak, standing tall in the background. Luckily for me, I have a wide-open and impressive view of the morning sunrise.
TAKE A BREAKAWAY AND SOAK UP SOME RAYS
I’ll always take a break and sit in the same grassy place, take off my jacket and allow my skin to soak up as many morning rays as humanly possible. The warmth and the vitamin D are always welcome. This is something that puts me in a very good place emotionally. The warmth from the sun is an irreplaceable feeling. On your next sunny day, soak up some rays while closing your eyes and think of happiness and innocence. This is what the sun will always mean to me! I used to take walks during my breaks at work, without the chef jacket, to renew myself during a stressful day. I honestly encourage you to do the same in any way you’re able.
PREPARE AND ENGAGE
I truly encourage that you give it a try!! The night before setting yourself up to enjoy the morning rays! Look up when the sunrise is estimated for the next morning, and what the weather may look like, you can use weather.com for this. Set out your clothes, have your playlist and player (whatever that may be) fully charged and ready to play, a water bottle by your bedside, shoes, and socks at your feet, even the coffee maker set up and put on a timer for the right when you wake up. There’s something soothing about walking into the kitchen just after waking up, to the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, from beans ground fresh in your kitchen the night before.
COMMIT AND FOLLOW THROUGH
Don’t let whatever is keeping you down from waking, getting up, and making the effort. Make the commitment! You are in charge, not that black cloud of rain, or whatever form of funk! Once your up, drink some water, get dress, and lace up your shoes immediately. This will keep you up and not wanting to just lie back down. Grab your coffee or water and head out the door. Don’t allow your mind the time to convince you to just do it another time. Make a routine with steps of things to do that keep your mind and body preoccupied and focused, then make it happen.
STAY GROUNDED IN THE MOMENT, LOSE YOURSELF TO IT
Be completely in the moment. Let go of control and just be present. When you make your first step out of the door allow all your senses to feel exactly what they feel. Let your mind go completely blank, take a deep breath of the fresh air, and let your morning journey begin. If you give this a try and truly put your heart into it, you will see what a truly beneficial tip this really is! Even if early rising isn’t your thing! Get out any time of the day and reconnect with the sun!! In my life, it’s all about the simple joys of food, sleep, exercise, and most importantly the warmth of the sun. You don’t need any scientific study or written proof, you just have to try it yourself and see how the light, warmth, and vitamin D can give you results instantly if you’re open to it. Go back to the basics. All life comes from the sun, you can’t any more simplistic than that.