Living in California you get used to having tons of sunshine. It allows you to get outside and enjoy your life all year, so long as you take the proper precautions. In other parts of the country, winter will force you to stay inside. Most of California won’t have that restriction.
What about when you want to stay indoors? No one is going to force you outside, but you recognize you’re fortunate to have the option to bask in the sunshine. This feeling has been recognized as “sun guilt,” though it’s not really a perfect science.
In cases where sun guilt has been studied, it’s usually related to other mental health conditions. It has been related to bipolar disorder, and while this is a completely valid concern, I am not relating sun guilt as a trigger for existing conditions. In fact, many people feel as though sunshine should be a remedy for some metal health concerns. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is often attributed to shortened day, lack of sunshine, and time indoors.
At time time, sun guilt is not a diagnosed condition. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist; I can tell you it does exist. It’s not a debilitating phenomenon that draws me outside like a magnet, but it is enough to make me second guess my Netflix binge.
Anyone wasting who feels they’re wasting sunshine probably wants to correct resolve themselves of the guilt. There are some ways I counter my sun guilt, and strike a better balance in their mood.
1. Walk to Complete Your Chores
When it’s nice out, but I have to run errands, I try to walk as much as possible. Maybe it takes longer than driving would, but at least you’re accomplishing something. I may be unique here, because I truly do enjoy going for walks. This means I might make up errands to get me outside, but if I end up spending thirty minutes in the sun and I get coffee, I feel pretty good about my decision.
2. Work Outside
One of my best investments over the past twelve months is the table I’ve placed on my balcony. Working remotely means I spend more time indoors. With a table outside, I can enjoy the sunlight while doing the work I need to do anyways. I’ve spent hours this week alone on my laptop outdoors, and while it’s not the best outdoor activity, it makes be feel better spending hours on the computer.
3. Exercise Outdoors
If exercise is already part of your day (and it should be), you can get creative and incorporate more outdoors activities into the mix. This doesn’t need to be limited to running, as there are classes that can be taken outdoors. Try bodyweight movements, yoga, or playing a sport. This will replace indoor time with outdoor time, and it won’t cost you any additional time.
4. Make a List
I often find myself daydreaming in the middle of the week about all the places I’d like to go. There are plenty of beaches, trails, and parks I’ve never visited and want to experience. Half of the time, I don’t get outside because of decisions fatigue, but if I have a list I can pick an activity that fits my mood. Once I have all of these possibilities written down, I’ll determine whether they require an hour, an afternoon, or a full day. This will allow me to pick an activity that gets me outdoors and fits the right commitment level.
5. Logic Yourself Out of Feeling Bad
Sometimes I feel guilty staying indoors because I look out the window and see sunshine. Logically, I shouldn’t feel bad. Just because I have the option to get outside doesn’t mean I need to use it every day. So, I reason with myself. I remind myself that I spend all weekend outside, that it’s too cold to go to the beach, or resting indoors will make me feel better than being active. So long as you embrace the sunshine sometimes, you have no reason to feel bad if you elect to spend an afternoon inside.