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I love soaking up the sun. I’m one of those people who rarely complain about the tropical heat or turn down an opportunity to go outside. In fact, pre-lockdown, I’ve been making it a habit to walk to work in the morning instead of riding the jeepney to work just so I can take in the morning sun. Then COVID-19 happened and we’ve been sheltering in place ever since, rarely stepping out of the house unless necessary to slow down the spread of the virus.

It’s a good thing that we have a backyard so I still can soak up the morning sun. While the sun isn’t a cure for COVID-19 (if only it was, tropical countries like ours probably would have very very low cases of the virus!) but moderate exposure to sunlight comes with benefits. 

The sun is a good and natural source of Vitamin D you know? And medical experts say that helps boost one’s immunity. When you’ve got a strong immune system that will definitely help keep illnesses at bay and fight off serious diseases. So there’s the physical benefit to soaking up the sun.

But I also love feeling the warm rays of the sun on my face and my body. It makes me feel that the day ahead of me is gonna be okay. That I’m gonna be okay. Everything will be okay. Those are great feelings to have especially these days when we’re dealing with uncertain times. What a mood booster the sun is!

Speaking of mood booster, listening to music is also a good way to bring on the good vibes. So I’ve been combining the two activities lately. Talk about really bringing on the happy vibes! At the end of the year, when Spotify does its yearly music summary, I think I know the songs that’ll appear to be the ones I’ve listened to the most. 

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1. Soak up the Sun by Sheryl Crow

This is the first song that always comes to my mind when I’m taking in all that sunshine. Literally, I’m gonna soak up the sun. It’s also about enjoying the simple things in life though. 

“It’s not having what you want. It’s wanting what you got”

Confession: You know when I’m actually feeling lame, I actually do what this lyric says “Everytime I feel lame, I’m looking up. I’m gonna soak up the sun.” 

2. Perfect Day by Hoku

You know what I picture everytime this song plays? That Legally Blonde scene where they show Elle’s Delta Nu sorority house (at least I think that was Delta Nu!😅) with that green lawn, the sun shining brightly and some blonde girl was biking on the sidewalk. This was part of the movie’s soundtrack.

Well, a day when the sun shines brightly outside makes me think it’s really going to be a perfect day. 

“Perfect day. Nothing standing in my way. It’s the perfect day nothing can go wrong.”

3. Unwritten by Natasha Bedingfield 

If there’s a song that’s makes me feel both happy and inspired, this song really brings it. Did you know this was part of The Sisterhood of Traveling Pants?

“Live your life with arms wide open, today is where your book begins, the rest is still unwritten”

4. Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves 

This was my go-to song when I used to go out walking to the office or walking on the side streets of Makati on my way to the mall. I know so literal of me but it is such a happy song! 

“I’m walking on sunshine, whoa. And don’t it feel good?” 

5.  All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow 

Whenever I play this song, I imagine myself out on a roadtrip, riding in a car with the windows open so I can feel the wind on my face as we speed on by what seems to be an endless highway somewhere far or it could be a car with the top down so I can also soak up the sun while this plays on. 

   “All I wanna do is have some fun. I got a feeling I’m not the only one. All I wanna do is have some fun. Until the sun comes up at the Santa. Monica boulevard.”