Apricate v. To bask in warmth of the sun.
Apricate means to bask in the warmth of sunlight, and the word carries a calm, restorative tone: not rushing, not striving, just receiving heat and light in a deliberate pause. It names a small but meaningful human habit, stepping into sun after cold or fatigue and letting the body settle. In modern life, apricating can be as simple as standing by a bright window, sitting on a porch, or taking a short sunlit walk. The idea is gentle recovery through light, where stillness, warmth, and attention bring the mind and body back into balance.
"Keep your face always toward the sunshine - and shadows will fall behind you."
- Walt Whitman
In the 19th century, some physicians actually prescribed "apricating" as a daily health practice, noting that brief, gentle sun-basking improved mood and circulation long before vitamin D was understood. It was considered a simple, accessible remedy for restoring one's vitality, and it is still considered a healthy practice today.
At noon I pause outside to simply apricate,
Where sunlight smooths the edges that the hours can agitate;
The light softens the tension that the early hours imposed,
With a quiet calibration felt the moment eyes are closed.