Sunshine in my life

It can get pretty gloomy and depressing in the winter - the dark cloudy skies, the cold weather, the staying indoors mostly because of the cold and of course the flu going around. I was feeling very low and isolated and therefore depressed. But this morning, I noticed the squirrel making off with a lot of fruit from our tree, so I and my 2 yr old daughter got dressed and rushed out into the backyard armed with a couple of plastic bags. No, not for the squirrel. Just to collect all the ripe fruit that I could reach from ground level.

Well, I spent a good 20 minutes out there, with my daughter getting all excited about this interesting turn of events, especially when her mummy went in and got a 2-step ladder and tried to get out the fruit at a higher level. Then we walked around. She rode her tricycle for a while too. Afterwards I read her an alphabet book, right there, sitting in the shade. It was well over an hour before we came back in, armed with 2 bulging bags of persimmons, and even a few beefsteak tomatoes and herbs from our tiny vegetable garden.

We felt great! I was absolutely brimming with energy. After spending 2 days indoors because of the cold winds (and my general inclination to just stay in), I was feeling wonderful! The sun and the fresh air really did a number on me - in a good way. I recommend getting a dose of sunshine everyday, for everyone of every age.

Go out, for just a couple of minutes, and feel the warmth and light of the sun. I know, people like my sis will say, "Now that's just common sense!" My sis loves the outdoors, and is always very energetic, and will definitely wonder if I am crazy to suggest something so basic. But I literally felt the depression floating away and being replaced with this calm, happy energy when I went outdoors. Even my headache that I had since last night had disappeared.

So fresh air and sunshine, people! Get lots of it, or even just 5 minutes of it! (Don't forget to wear sunscreen half an hour before going out, but even if you don't, a little sunshine is not going to harm you - I didn't put any sunscreen today, actually.)