[{"id":7077,"date":"2026-06-17T06:14:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T06:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7077"},"modified":"2026-06-09T14:15:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T14:15:54","slug":"soak-up-the-morning-sun-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/06\/17\/soak-up-the-morning-sun-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Soak Up The Morning Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A few minutes of sunshine when you wake up can help balance your mood and improve your sleep. Morning light<\/a> supports your body\u2019s natural circadian rhythm, helping you feel more alert during the day and promoting better rest at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This week, try sipping your coffee outside, taking a quick sunrise walk, or simply stepping into the light first thing. Even on cloudy days, those early rays can make a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Do you enjoy an early-morning dose of sunshine? You\u2019re not alone. Humans evolved to be outdoors, and spending time in the sun remains one of our most ancient pastimes. And for good reason. In the right amounts, the sun\u2019s light is a potent natural health tonic, helping your body regulate sleep, boost vitamin D levels, fight depression, support bone and muscle health, and improve immune function. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But not all sunshine is created equally; you\u2019ll reap the most significant benefits from sunlight when you soak up the rays early in the morning. The reason has to do with your body\u2019s circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal clock that responds to changing light patterns. Getting sunshine as soon as you wake up helps the body reset and regulate sleeping patterns, allowing you to go through the day feeling more energized and alert. This Monday, follow the steps below to increase your post-wakeup sun exposure. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy Your Morning Coffee Alfresco <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Try carving out a few minutes in the morning to drink your coffee or tea beneath the sunshine. This simple change can help you stay alert throughout the day and sleep easier at night. Another option is to bring a small table outside and have breakfast in the backyard or on the patio.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go for a Post-Sunrise Stroll<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s nothing more tranquil than a sunrise walk. Not only will it clear your head and get you ready for the day, but it\u2019s a prime opportunity to enjoy some morning rays. Go with a friend, partner, or family member, and help boost that daily step count. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read Outdoors <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Start your day by reading a book or the morning newspaper beneath the sunshine. The time passes quickly, and you\u2019ll go back inside feeling ready to take on the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t Fear the Clouds <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A cloud-filled sky can still be a source of sunlight. The sun\u2019s ultraviolet rays are powerful enough to filter through clouds and reach the surface of the Earth (and still burn your skin if you\u2019re not careful). During a heat wave, an overcast morning may be the opportune time for extra sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Wear Sunscreen<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Spending more time in the sun inevitably puts your skin at greater risk of sunburn or blistering. Try using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher\u2014even on a cloudy or overcast afternoon\u2014and reapply throughout the day. Opt for a mineral-based sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide if you have sensitive skin or want to avoid certain chemical ingredients. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

A few minutes of sunshine when you wake up can help balance your mood and improve your sleep. Morning light supports your body\u2019s natural circadian rhythm, helping you feel more alert during the day and promoting better rest at night. This week, try sipping your coffee outside, taking a quick sunrise walk, or simply stepping into the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":640,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7077","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/640"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7077"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7077\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7077"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7077"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7077"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":7075,"date":"2026-06-16T06:07:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-16T06:07:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/?p=7075"},"modified":"2026-06-15T13:59:01","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:59:01","slug":"a-12-minute-meditation-for-challenging-emotions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.vcu.edu\/hr-worklife\/2026\/06\/16\/a-12-minute-meditation-for-challenging-emotions\/","title":{"rendered":"A 12-Minute Meditation for Challenging Emotions – plus Free ice cream today!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

There’s a free ice cream event by Feedmore and Moose Tracks today, June 16 in Monroe Park!\u00a0https:\/\/feedmore.org\/events\/moose-tracks-10k-scoops\/<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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In this guided meditation, we use a technique based on Dan Siegel\u2019s Name It to Tame It to be with challenging emotions in a way that\u2019s accepting and self-compassionate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We all have moments that bring up challenging emotions<\/a> for us, and it can be difficult to know how to deal with them when they inevitably arise. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim invites us to view this practice like a lighthouse guiding ships through the stormy seas of the mind. This guided meditation<\/a> offers a sanctuary for those seeking to face and process difficult emotions with grace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kim\u2019s approach involves grounding techniques to establish a sense of presence<\/a>, identifying and naming emotions to acknowledge them fully, exploring the physical sensations tied to these emotions, and finally enveloping oneself in tenderness and compassion <\/a>through touch, words, or visualization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Guided Meditation for Challenging Emotions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A 12-Minute Meditation for Challenging Emotions by Kim Armstrong<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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