June 2025 - Sun and Clouds

While I write this blog and newsletter on an early June 2025 day, the sun shines through the clouds, symbolic of light and shadow, perpetually coexisting and shifting. My kids play at summer camp while I support others to maintain and improve their lives, often addressing trauma and unhealthy patterns.

I continue my studies to help myself and others be the best versions of ourselves, while news of terrorism and oppression fills the major news platforms.  Some parts of us improve lives, create connections, and build safety, while other parts cause harm, contribute to division, and breed fear. We all have lived to experience the capabilities of life-giving aspects and the often unintentional life-draining activities. It is with compassion I strive to promote more of the light and life in this world, while honoring the struggles that exist in the process. I provide Wholesome Therapies’ services and content as my way of sharing more of the opportunities for wellness, and I celebrate the efforts you invest for yourself and others.

Bask, Balance, and Bloom: Embracing Summer's Radiance at Wholesome Therapies

The sun is high, the days are long, and a vibrant energy hums in the air here in Fort Collins and Boulder Colorado! As we step deeper into June, we're greeted by a profound sense of abundance – of light, warmth, and extended daylight hours. This is a beautiful time to connect with the world around us, engage in outdoor activities, and truly bask in the season's glow.

While the extended daylight beckons us to be more active, it's equally crucial to honor our body's need for rest and recovery. Just as plants need both sun and shade to thrive, so do we. Listen to your body, find the moments of quiet in and outside of the activities, and allow yourself the rejuvenation necessary to fully embrace the season without burnout. This can look like: responding to your breath rate, heart rate, or general level of tension at any moment by: 

• Slowing down: take some longer breaths, follow a free online Qi Gong, Tai Chi, Yoga, or Feldenkrais (Awareness Through Movement) video. 

• Changing your environment: Get outside, go inside, go to a flowing body of water, isolate, find others, turn off the lights, open the windows, find quiet, or crank up the volume to your favorite song from a positively memorable time.

• Increasing your movement: dance to that song, jog in place, jump rope, go for a walk, breathe deeper, juggle, test your flexibility, try a balancing challenge on your feet or hands, weed a garden, or pick up trash. 

• Switching your diet: Fast through a meal or a day, try new food, add electrolytes to your water, replace your coffee with chaga and maca, make your sauerkraut using cabbage, salt, and fennel. 

This balance is key to truly blooming this summer and you have so many empowering options to experience a life that’s possible.

The Sunshine Advantage: More Than Just a Tan

The sun, in moderation, offers a wealth of benefits that extend far beyond a healthy glow. Let's illuminate some of its incredible gifts:

• For Your Eyes: Direct, unfiltered (meaning without sunglasses for short periods, and never staring directly at the sun) exposure to natural light can be incredibly beneficial for ocular health, especially around sunrise and sunset. It helps regulate our circadian rhythm, which in turn supports healthy vision and can even reduce the risk of certain eye conditions. Think of it as a natural tune-up for your visual system.

• For Your Skin: While sun-protective clothing and finding yourself in the shade are the best ways to prevent sunburn, a sensible amount of direct sun exposure is vital for Vitamin D synthesis. This "sunshine vitamin" is crucial for bone health, immune function, and even mood regulation. Just a few minutes of direct sun on exposed skin can kickstart this essential vitamin and energy production process.

• For Your Energy Levels: Ever notice how your mood lifts and your energy soars on a sunny day? Natural light helps regulate serotonin levels in the brain, often referred to as the "feel-good" hormone. This translates to improved mood, increased alertness, and a natural boost in vitality, helping you feel more alive and ready to engage with the day.

As the days remain long and filled with light, consciously choose to embrace this season with both enthusiasm for activity and respect for our need to recover. Let the sun be a source of nourishment, and let this vibrant time inspire you to discover and celebrate what makes you truly shine.

Ready to explore how bodywork or somatic coaching can help you connect more deeply with your inner radiance this summer? Contact Wholesome Therapies – here