(Heart Vlog) Surprising Happiness & Health Benefits from the Sun

Have you been out in the sun today?

These last few weeks in England have been sun-filled and glorious, with totally clear skies and warm to hot days, which of course is totally out of season here in February. It has been 17C at my place in Somerset, real T-shirt weather – whereas this time last year we were rugged up against cold and toboggoning down the hills in deep snow.

Today is so lovely that I couldn’t work indoors, especially writing on this topic, so I’ve taken a chair out onto my garden,  surrounded by lush fields, happy cats rolling in the sun, and singing insects and wild birds.

It’s easy to get busy in our lives, to think it makes more sense to stay indoors and get things done, but as ancient wisdom and modern science both understand – our bodies need us to go outside into the sun as often as we can, for there is so many gifts for us when we do. The sun is the source of energy and life for all our planet including us, and interestingly the interior of the Sun pulsates rhythmically like a human heart – a hint as to the part of our body it helps the most.

Time in the sunshine relaxes our hearts, increases happiness, energises us and is essential for many aspects of our wellbeing and health. (Do leave your sunglasses off when you go – for they can block the benefits of sunlight from our pineal gland and our eyes.)

So in this blog today I want to explore the benefits of the sun for our body, and share an easy way for you to make most of it. This sunny weather will probably not last long, but that’s OK you can also use this technique on cloudier days, as long as there is some sun out.

Some of the amazing benefits from spending time in the sun –

• Sunshine is a natural and free mood enhancer. It boosts our serotonin levels so we feel happier, and reduces stress. (So holidays in the sun really make us feel happy.) Time if the sun, even when at home, is especially important in winter when SAD (Seasonally Affected Disorder) is common in northern countries, with their fewer hours of sunlight.

• It reduces blood pressure, and modern Danish studies have found that time in the sun benefits and protects our heart. (Interestingly, in ancient Chinese medicine they saw the energy of our heart as ruled by the element of fire, ie the sun, and they understood the strong connection between them.)

• Sunshine is key in helping reduce depression.

• Vitamin D comes from time in the sun, which is vital for healthy brains, muscles, joints and strong bones.

• Time in the sun can improve our sleep at night in a number of ways. The health of our heart affects our quality of sleep, and the more relaxed, healthy and happy our heart is, the better we will sleep. Sunlight also affects the amount of melatonin our body produces, which is what tells our body when to sleep, so regular exposure to sun helps our body to re-establish and maintain its circadian rhythm so we sleep at the right time.

• Sunlight even reduces pain and stress after surgery, and speeds up healing.

• And in moderation, research has even found that time in the sun reduces the risk of some types of cancer.

So give yourself 15 minutes in the sun each day as a start. (It can just be your face and arms.) Though being outside for longer can be even more helpful, it does depend on how warm or cold the weather is, and if it’s safe for your skin. If you are in summer, or in a country like Australia with very high UV risk, only pick a safe time of day and amount of time to do this, and be sensitive to what exposure your skin type can handle.

Bringing the benefits of the sun into our heart…

The ancients understand our heart, and the heart energy points on the palm of our hands, as reflections of the sun, and so including them in this technique is a powerful a way for us to connect with the sun and absorb its energy.

• Sit or stand facing the sun. You could take your shoes off and put your feet on grass, if possible, so you have the nourishing benefit of ‘earthing’ at the same time.

Close your eyes, if  you are comfortable to, rub your hands together to increase your awareness in them, and bring your hands up in front of you, turn your palms to face the sun. Feels the sun’s warmth on your hands. This is an ancient Indian pose of receptivity called the Hasta Mudra.

Now put your attention in the centre of your palms. In the centre of your palm is a strong energy (acu-point) called Pericardium 8 on the pericardium meridian, feeling energy to that protective layer around your heart. As you feel these points on your hands you might feel your heart relax more.

Then turn your palms and your face towards the sun, like a sunflower, and allow the sun’s warmth and rays to flow into your hands and body. After a while you may find yourself breathing deeper, relaxing more and maybe even smiling. When you are ready open your eyes, and just stay there, relaxing, and enjoying all the benefits pouring into your body for a while. 10 to 15 minutes is a good time for sun heart bath like this.

Try this daily. If you have less time, do what you can, but if you make it part of your day whenever the sun is shinning you’ll start to feel the difference it can make for you and your heart.

I’ld love to hear what you notice when you try it, so do share any of your thoughts or experiences below this blog.

Thanks!

love, Cassandra Punita

 

P.S. If you would like to catch up soon for a heart relaxing session, or help with any other issue, this is where I’ll be over the next few months –

• 7-12 March….Dublin, Ireland

• 14-16 March.. Neal’s Yard Clinic, London

• Rest of March …Bristol area

• 1st half of April..Melb & Bega, Australia

• 19th – 25th April..Humaniversity, Holland

• 27th – 29th April..Neal’s Yard Clinic, London

• May & June…..Private ‘Healing the Deep’ Retreats in Provence (from 1 to 5 days)

If you are interested in finding out more about seeing me at any of these places, message me on [email protected].