Vitamin D: The Sunshine Vitamin and Cure for Winter Blues

Usually the months following the holidays are very tough for me…I have lived in the Midwest all my life and the negative degree temps, dark days, and snowy weather tend to bring me in a sluggish and depressed mood. It is not uncommon for people find themselves in a depression during the winter months.  This is known as SAD or Seasonal Affective Depression. This affects millions of people every year. 

 Why does this happen?

Our bodies are powerfully affected by the sun and having limited amounts of its rays takes a toll on our bodies by decreasing the amount of vitamin D we create. Lately there has been a lot of bad press about the sun, but the sun is the simplest way for our body to make vitamin D.   Our body needs the sun to function at optimal levels of health and dark days, less time spent outside, and sunscreen  – are all blocking us from receiving these sunshine rays.

Why is Vitamin D so Important?

We call Vitamin D a Vitamin, but it is actually hormone because it can be made in the body.  Vitamin D is essential for you to have strong bones and muscles to avoid stress fractures. It helps your body is able to fight off infections and colds much easier.  It helps your body repair skin cells and keep your hormones balanced which is essential for GLOWING skin.

Most people do not live in tropical paradise where there is sun 24/7 so adding in a supplement of Vitamin D is a good idea to keep your body at optimal health.

Vitamin D can be found in some foods like fish and dairy products. But many people avoid dairy due to it being very inflammatory and a common sensitivity. Fish is another source, but eating high amounts of fish can increase the level of mercury in the body which is poisonous in large amounts. So as you can see…choosing a supplement is the next best option after real sun!

*Real sunlight is so powerful on the human body. I find that laying the sun is the equivalent of recharging my batteries. I feel alive, refreshed, and ready to go! It is one of my favorite things because my entire body feels so powerful and relaxed.

We have SO many warnings about how the sun is so damaging, but we aren’t talking about how crucial our bodies need the sun!!

I find it so beautiful that total wellness is not just about food, but so much of it comes straight from nature! We truly do live in a magical planet. Our health has become so overly complicated with BIG warning signs and other scary dramatized scenarios, but the truth is a holistic approach to wellness, vitality, and GLOW is the answer.

When I connected the dots on how much the sun nourished my body, I started to supplement with Vitamin D EVERY DAY.  My doctor recommended I take 2 pills per day which is about 4000 IU.  The supplement I have chosen is USANA’s Vitamin D.  It is a great value and high-quality pharmaceutical grade supplement.  I trust the company so I trust what is put in the bottle as many supplements out there are complete crap.

The Vitamin D has helped me handle the winter blues much better than the last! Spring is just around the corner (hopefully).  The end of winter seems to drag out the longest.   Besides supplementing with Vitamin D, here are few more tips on how to SMASH the Winter Blues and enjoy every moment of this season.

1.Enjoy the Extra Sleep– Back before we had light 24/7, we slept much longer in the winter. Did you ever think that is what our bodies were meant to do during this time of the year? Winter is a time for rest. It is a time to heal and prepare for the busier seasons. Let your body move through the season and enjoy it just as it is meant to be. Go to bed earlier and allow yourself time to rest and relax. You deserve it – I promise.

2. Eat Winter Foods. – When we eat in season, there is an alignment of what our body needs. Seasonal foods are also the freshest and packed full of the most nutrition. Some winter foods to enjoy include: squashes, cabbage, carrots, kale, bananas, grapefruit, oranges, pears, etc.

3. Buy a Light Lamp –Light lamps are used for light therapy which is a box that gives off a bright light and is similar to outdoor light. Being in bright natural light boosts serotonin levels putting you in a good mood!!  Light lamps are also great if you are struggling with sleeping

4. Pretend it is Still Christmas – Yep! I said it! Seriously, the winter is waaay more tolerable during the Christmas season. After that, it is good-bye cold, please! Don’t take down the lights, keep out the pine cones, and play some Christmas music!

5. Find a Magical Winter Hobby – Personally, I love going to different coffee shops and working on my writing or reading a book. I also love movement in my body and love attending hot yoga sessions or a zumba class.  I love the heat in these classes as well as the chance to move my body in a very freeing way. But what lights you up? Discover what will make your body feeling amazing and start doing it this week! Maybe it is taking a new pottery class or learning a new craft!

Just like nature has seasons. Our lives have seasons! Enjoy the season you are in! Time will pass, change will come, and soon it will be new season. <3

I would love to hear from you! What do you like to incorporate in your wellness plan to SMASH the winter blues?

xx

PS.  Ready to move on from being Stressed Out, Bloated, & Exhausted to finally feeling Glowing and Free? I just opened up my NEW 12 week Mentorship program where we will unravel your body, mind, and soul and a take you on a journey to ultimate wellness and freedom from the obsession in your body. <3 Click here to learn more. xx