- Maria Nicole Aesthetics Bulletin
- Posts
- Maximizing Daylight for Your Skin & Well-Being
Maximizing Daylight for Your Skin & Well-Being
Making the Most of Daylight Saving Time
We're approaching that time of year where our days are going to start getting longer, and we can enjoy the extra sunlight! While we may lose an hour of sleep at the start, we gain an extra hour of daylight, and that can have a surprisingly positive impact on our skin and overall well-being.
So, how can we make the most of this extra time in our day, the incredible benefits of sunshine, and manage a shift in our routine?
Whether you're looking to get active, relax and recharge, or simply enjoy the beauty of nature, there are countless ways to make the most of that extra hour. Here are a few of my favorite ways:
Get active:
Go for a walk, run, or bike ride in the park: Enjoy the fresh air and sunshine while getting your heart rate up
Play a sport outdoors or try an outdoor fitness class: Join a rec sports league or join a gym/studio that offers outdoor classes. For my Stamford locals, keep an eye out for XenHouse’s first field day of the year!

Fresh air, sunshine, and endorphins! Whether it's a XenHouse field day, a circuit with my husband, or beach volleyball, I love bringing my workouts outside.
Relax and recharge:
Have lunch outside: Enjoy your lunch-time break surrounded by nature to promote optimal digestion
Did you know that focusing on your meal and minimizing distractions can significantly improve your digestion and nutrient absorption?
Do some gardening: Consider planting some fruits or veggies so you can yield even more benefits from your garden
Simply sit and enjoy the sunshine: Sometimes, the best way to recharge is to just sit with your face to the sun (practicing UV safety of course)
Explore and connect:
Visit a local farmers market: Support local businesses and stock up on fresh, seasonal produce
Go for a hike or nature walk: Explore your nearby trails and unique surroundings
Take a bike ride or walk around your neighborhood: Take a second walk of the day after dinner to help with digestion and winding down for the night
Getting outside will be the choice that keeps on giving. Safely enjoying sunshine can come with one of the most valuable gifts…Vitamin D!
Vitamin D: For Your Skin, Mind, and Body
With all ways to enjoy the sunlight, the impact it can have on our health is just another reason to get outside.
Sunlight triggers our bodies to produce vitamin D, often referred to as the "sunshine vitamin”, and vitamin D plays a crucial role in various aspects of our health. It impacts our mental and emotional well-being, our physical health, and ultimately, the health and appearance of our skin.
Emotional and Mental Benefits: I immediately feel happier and more energized when the sun is shining…and it scientifically makes sense. When vitamin D levels rise in our bodies, serotonin levels increase (a neurotransmitter linked to happiness), and cortisol levels decrease (the stress hormone). It’s a perfect blend of chemical reactions that can regulate your mood instantly (WIN!).
Beyond just mood, spending time in nature enhances cognitive function, including sharper focus and increased creativity and problem-solving abilities. This level of alertness and mental clarity is likely due to the positive impact that sunlight has on our sleep-wake cycles. When we're exposed to sunlight, it signals our brains that it's time to be awake and alert, and vise versa, helping to regulate our natural 24-hour cycle (the circadian rhythm).

Highly recommend, Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson…I’m learning so much about the power of sunlight and how to optimize my circadian rhythm for better sleep and overall health.
Stress, anxiety, and lack of sleep can all trigger breakouts, inflammation, and premature aging. So, when we're feeling happy, relaxed, and well-rested, our skin tends to reflect the same. Glowing skin, as a direct outcome of what you put in.
Physical Benefits: It’s also no surprise how good our bodies feel physically after a day outside. Because vitamin D is essential for optimal calcium absorption, being in the sunlight helps to strengthen our bones. Not only do our bodies just feel better overall because of this, but strong bones contribute to a healthy posture, which indirectly benefits our skin; good posture helps to keep our skin taut and lifted, preventing sagging and reducing the appearance of wrinkles, especially in the neck and jawline area.
Vitamin D also supports cardiovascular health by helping to lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease, promoting better circulation. This increased blood flow delivers essential nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, which supports collagen production, cell regeneration, and overall skin function, while also removing waste products that can lead to dullness and breakouts.
Vitamin D is also a key player in both cellular regeneration and immune system support. It's vital for cell turnover and renewal, which is especially important for our skin’s ability to generate new cells to replace old, damaged ones. Vitamin D helps regulate this process, ensuring that our skin is effectively shedding those dead cells and revealing the fresh, healthy skin underneath. And in turn, it plays a crucial role in regulating our immune response; activating and balancing immune cells, ensuring that our bodies can effectively fight off infections and reduce inflammation. This means faster healing of blemishes, reduced redness, and a lower risk of inflammatory skin conditions like acne and eczema.
It's important to remember that our skin is not an isolated organ. It's intricately connected to our overall health and well-being, both physically and mentally. When our internal systems are functioning optimally, our skin reflects that vitality. So, by ensuring adequate vitamin D levels and embracing a healthy lifestyle, you're not only supporting your overall health but also setting the stage for a healthy, radiant complexion.
Shifting Schedules: Adapting to the Longer Days
As the days get longer, our daily rhythms may shift, but we can embrace these changes and adjust our routines accordingly. The key is to be mindful of these changes and find ways to incorporate the extra daylight into your day in a way that feels good for you and your body. To help your body adjust, stay consistent with a few non-negotiables:
Stay regimented: Your routine should generally stay the same - and that goes for your skincare routine as well. One of my favorite ways to wake up my skin in the morning is with the Daily Skin Clarifier by GlyMed Plus. This powerful antioxidant cleanser uses natural tyrosinase inhibitors such as bearberry, licorice, and mulberry, along with phytic acid, to reduce melanin production and help brighten the skin from discolorations associated with acne, sun, trauma, hormones, and any chemical or laser procedures.
Prioritize sleep hygiene: Stick to a regular sleep schedule, create a relaxing bedtime routine, and make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day and add in electrolytes for sustainable energy
Eat a nutrient dense diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods and limit sugary snacks and drinks
Get some exercise: Even a short walk can help to boost your energy levels and improve your sleep quality
Consider a power nap: If you're feeling really tired, a short 20-minute nap can help you recharge
Here's to Longer, Brighter Days!
Daylight Savings Time can be your push to prioritize your well-being! Use that extra hour of daylight to get active, connect with nature, find a hobby and feel well. Your mind, body, and skin will thank you for it!
Best,
Maria