I started typing this a few months ago, back before I spilled my fancy juice and fried my laptop.
I had this thought as I was exploring one of the little trails at Brigadoon. It was April and pretty cold. I was walking and trying to step into all of the sunny spots. It got me thinking, that I was trying to soak up the sun while it was there, to try to keep me warmer, even when the shade hit.
Lightbulb moment.
I should be doing more of this in my life.
Not just outside in the actual sun, but all the things that warm my soul. I should do more of those things.
Inevitably their will be shady, dark and cold parts of life (and if anyone tells you otherwise, they are feeding you lies…nobody’s life is free from problems or stresses) but if we have more of the good things when we can, if we soak up all the sun when the sun is shining it can carry us through.
My interest was piqued, because if you haven’t noticed, I really likes analogies. I think its pretty amazing how almost everything I think/see/feel, can be related to something else.
So I wondered, can our bodies really soak up the sun? Giving us energy and life in a cloudy day? Turns out it can!
[According to a 2010 journal article published by “Pediatric Nephrology,” vitamin D-2 and vitamin D-3 circulate in the blood for about 24 hours. Afterward, these vitamins are stored in the fat tissue for approximately two months. When the body needs more vitamins, vitamin D-2 and vitamin D-3 are converted to their active form called 25-hydroxyvitamin D. The active vitamin is then released into the blood. The released 25-hydroxyvitamin D can circulate in the body for approximately three weeks. After the body is replenished, the biologically active form is stored in fat tissues for months; 25-hydroxyvitamin D is released from the storage irregularly depending on the body’s need. By the time the physician detects your vitamin D deficiency, your serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is less than 20ng/ml. At this point, your vitamin D stores have been depleted. – Full article here]
Our bodies will store Vitamin D that is absorbed through the sun for up to three months and then our bodies can lean on those stores when needed.
How cool to think about. It seems true that these days we don’t naturally get enough Vitamin D (for our bodies or our souls) so supplements can be helpful (oh how the analogy continues)…I’m no doctor so if you’re wondering if you should legit have Vitamin D as a supplement, I would check with them!
Let’s bring it back to storing up soul style Vitamin D. Let’s say Vacation fills up your heart with sunshine. It tides you over for a while when you are back to work, revitalizes and gives you rest.
We can’t all go on vacation every couple of months, but maybe we can supplement by doing some of the things that we really enjoy on vacation. Taking time to read a book. Not rushing on a Saturday morning, enjoying a guilt free night out with your spouse or sleeping in and letting the kids watch shows for an hour to get some peace and quiet.
Another example; say painting is something that fills you up, but you don’t have space for giant canvas and a studio in your home. Maybe create an art corner, maybe look at messy art journaling to channel the creativity.
Maybe retreats or weekends away with friends light you up (and they should!) put aside a savings jar so you can see you are working towards something that excites you. (and come with us!!!)
Maybe you love sea kayaking but can’t afford to buy your own, or don’t have a place to store one. See if you can make a deal with a local company for a discount if you pre pay for ten trips out.
Maybe everyday can’t be perfect, but we can bring more of what we love into our days.
Sometimes we think if we can’t have the sun, we won’t have any vitamin D at all.
Let yourself soak up all the sun you can, even if it isn’t a full day at the beach, maybe 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there or supplement in the ways that you can.
What are some ways that you can get soul vitamin D? I would love to hear it!