centralfloridahealthnews.com CFHN | 7 T here is something about summertime in Florida that calls us outside. Maybe it’s the longer days, the smell of sunscreen, or the sound of kids laughing in the pool. For some, it is the promise of a weekend spent near the water. Whatever it is, summer seems to remind us that life is meant to be lived, not just managed. Regardless of where you’re spending your summer days, whether you’re by the water or on a mountain hiking a trail, getting out, moving our bodies and enjoying the sunlight is therapeutic. As a mental health therapist, I spend a lot of my time talking with people about stress, burnout, and of course the unending anxie- ty due to the nonstop pace of life. One of the simplest recommendations I often give is this: Get outside! Not because getting outside solves everything. And not because fresh air is this magic that happens to eliminate all of our life’s problems. But because our minds and bodies were never designed to spend every waking moment indoors, staring at screens, or rushing from one obligation to the next. There is something refreshing about stepping outside and allowing nature to slow us down. Research continues to support what many of us instinctively know: Sunlight can positive- ly influence our mood. Exposure to natural sunlight helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which plays an important role in our overall health and emotional well-being. Many peo- ple report feeling more energized, focused, and emotionally balanced when they spend time outdoors on a regular basis. When we step outside, we often step away from the noise. We put down the phone. We stop checking emails and endlessly scroll- ing on social media. We actually disconnect from demands of the day and reconnect to being present. Taking a walk around the neighborhood is just as simple as watching the sunset. Sitting on your porch with a cup of fresh coffee in the morning. Even gardening, taking your shoes off, kneeling down into soil and getting your hands dirty while planting has a purpose. These moments may seem small, but they have a way of helping us breathe a little deeper and think a little clearer. For families, summer can also be a season of reconnection. Some of the best memo- ries are not created through elaborate vaca- tions or expensive experiences. They happen while going for a last-minute ice cream run or spending a day exploring one of Florida’s beautiful parks and beaches. But most importantly, when we are enjoy- ing the Florida sunshine, we have to use a healthy dose of wisdom. Let’s be honest. The Florida sun is no joke. While sunlight offers important benefits, too much exposure can create serious risk for our skin. Sunburns, premature aging, dehy- dration, and increased risk of skin cancer are concerns we should all take seriously. Protecting your skin doesn’t mean avoiding the outdoors. It means being intentional. Wear sunscreen. Seek shade when needed. Stay hydrated. And for us older folks, wearing a hat that doesn’t look all that glamorous. Think of it this way: Protecting your skin is not separate from self-care; it is self-care. One of the messages I often share is that wellness is rarely about extremes. It is usually about balance. Summer gives us an opportunity to restore our minds, strengthen our bodies, and re- fresh our spirits. It invites us to unplug, recon- nect with people we love, and appreciate the beauty that surrounds us every day. So, this summer, make the memories. Take the trip. Walk barefoot in the grass. Watch the sunset. Laugh a little louder. Stay outside a little longer. Just don’t forget the sunscreen. Your body, mind, spirit… and your skin... will thank you for it. HN BODY, MIND & SPIRIT Sunshine, Self-Care, and the Skin You’re In by JENNIFER GOODSON, MA, LMHC ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jennifer Goodson, MA, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor at Pathway Counseling Services in Winter Haven, Fla. She is a professor of Psychology at Warner University and a TEDx and keynote speaker. She earned her Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Regent University. Learn more at www.jennifergoodson.com.
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