I sat one afternoon this week in the sunlight as it streamed through a nearby window, feeling its gentle warmth on my skin. After a busy morning, I was struck by how tension seemed to evaporate from my body and mind. Maybe you have had that feeling too, as the spring days get longer and brighter. Many people, including myself, intuitively sense that sunshine has both uplifting and calming effects, and I began to think about what makes it such a powerful healing force.

In my energy healing practice, I often work with energy centers, also called the chakras, which relate to physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of ourselves. The solar plexus chakra, located in the upper abdomen, is closely connected to the sun. Vibrating at the same energetic frequency as the color yellow, it relates to our digestive health, mental thought patterns, and sense of personal power. It corresponds with a network of intersecting nerves along the spine, also known as the celiac plexus, which are involved in the body’s reaction to stress and its ability to return to a state of rest and calmness.

At times of high stress or when we feel the need to control a situation, the solar plexus becomes highly charged and active. Oppositely, it becomes depleted during periods of self-doubt and depression. Balancing and nourishing the energy within the solar plexus happens naturally when we spend a moderate amount of time in the sunlight, soaking in its healing rays. It can also be supported through guided imagery and gentle touch:

Using your mind’s eye, imagine a yellow sphere of light nestled deep within you, just below the rib cage and above the belly button. Take a moment to allow this image to grow stronger and brighter, radiating outward toward the front and back. Place one or both hands on your upper abdomen, feeling the warmth of your palms sink in through the skin to the muscles, organs, and nerves within you. Breathe gently and allow the soothing action of the diaphragm to bring a sense of peace and aliveness.