The Sunshine Prescription: Why Getting Outside Heals the Soul
- Debra Flaming
- Aug 10
- 2 min read
Every morning, before the world is fully awake, Dion and I step outside into the cool, quiet air of Flaming Acres Dahlias. The first light of the sun spills over the eastern sky, touching the fields with gold. There’s a moment—where everything feels still, as if the day itself is holding its breath. Then the farm wakes up. The dahlias stretch toward the light. Dew sparkles on petals. Birds exchange greetings, and we get to stand in the middle of it all, soaking in that first wave of warmth of the sun on our backs.
We’ve often joked that the sunshine is part of our “farmer’s prescription”—daily medicine for the body and the soul, our sunshine therapy. But as it turns out, science agrees. Studies show that just 15 minutes of sunshine a day can lift your mood, improve your sleep, and help your body produce vitamin D, which supports healthy bones, a strong immune system, and even heart health. In fact, research suggests that people who spend regular time outdoors have a lower risk of chronic illnesses and tend to live happier, healthier lives.
Sadly, not everyone is cashing in on this free prescription. Sadly, I hear about young people spending most of their time indoors, living in dimly lit rooms, gaming, or scrolling endlessly on their phones. Screens can’t give real life like the way the air smells after rain, the way your shoulders relax under the sun, or the quiet peace of watching something grow.
The Garden as Soul Therapy
Working in the garden has taught me that tending to the earth also tends to the spirit. Pulling weeds can be as calming as prayer. Watching a sprout break through the soil can reignite hope you didn’t realize had dimmed. Caring for something alive—whether it’s a plot of dahlias, a tomato plant, or even a single flower in a pot—reminds you that life is meant to be nurtured.
Gardening slows you down. It invites you to be present. It connects you with the Creator, who planted the very first garden and walked among its beauty. In that quiet work, joy has a way of blooming—steady, gentle, and deep.
A Gentle Reminder
In a culture that glorifies busyness, we sometimes treat rest and time in nature like luxuries. But they’re not indulgences—they’re essentials. The sunshine isn’t just for the flowers; it’s for you. Your heart needs beauty. Your body needs light. Your soul needs fresh air and stillness…So take the sunshine prescription. Step outside—just for fifteen minutes today. Feel the warmth on your skin. Listen to the wind move through the trees. Plant something, even if it’s just a pot of marigolds by the door. And watch how it changes you from the inside out
The world may dim behind screens—but the garden awaits. Step outside, soak in the light, and let your spirit bloom.
Enjoy the Sunshine TODAY!
Debra Flaming
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