Well, this is something lovely to write about – the beautiful sunshine. The day is drawing  to a close now, yet even as I write this the sky is cloudless. It has softened to a powdery blue at this time but is still full of soft summery light. It has been glorious in London today. A day soaked in brilliant yellow sunshine.

It’s one of those days when everyone feels good. Michael and I sat at a picnic bench with some lovely friends this afternoon eating pretzels and drinking summer lemon and lime. We were in the shade, our cheeks already pink from the heat of the day, but off in the distance friends threw frisbees in the park, and mums and dads played with their little ones, smothering fat little arms with white sun lotion.

It is this amazing thing that the changing seasons and the warmth and the light of the sun, can actually enhance our mood and make us feel happy. It is such a blessing. Although we are most likely aware of the risks associated with the sun and over-exposure to it, there are many benefits that come with the sun too. So provided we take all the sensible and recommended precautions (such as sun block, hat, sunglasses, and avoiding the sun its most intense between 11am-4pm etc), then it’s lovely to be outside for a little while and enjoying it!

Did you know that just ten minutes of daily exposure to sunlight will supply our bodies with all the vitamin D that we need? Vitamin D helps to strengthen our immune system as well as our bones and muscles. Evidently the sun has also been shown to alter mood chemically and in some cases ward off depression!

This gorgeous day, and the general feeling of everyone being upbeat and happy in the sunshine, is a blessing from God. The verse in Ecclesiastes 11:7 is so true – “truly the light is sweet, and it is pleasant for the eyes to behold the sun.”

~ by Birgit on April 15, 2007.

Posted in Health and Fitness