I just love the cooler months of the year. Blankets, scarves, cuddles by the fire, delicious stews and casseroles… seriously, what’s not to like? Biting cold temperatures, flus and lack of sunlight put a slight damper on the season, but there are ways to make the shortcomings of winter more bearable. It’s as easy as making sure you’re getting adequate amounts of Vitamin D, and we’ll show you how with our top tips for getting enough Vitamin D this winter season.
Vitamin D, sometimes called the ‘Happiness Vitamin’ is responsible for healthy bones, a healthy immune system and also for boosting serotonin levels aka: ‘The Happy Hormone’ which helps regulate our moods and even sleeping pattens. Because 90% of Vitamin D is absorbed through our skin from direct sunlight, its easy to develop a deficiency in winter when the sun’s rays aren’t as strong, we spend more time in doors and cover up with warmer clothing layers.
But despite this, it’s actually very simple to make sure you continue to get the right amounts of Vitamin D throughout fall & winter. Just follow our guidelines below and you’ll be feeling healthy and happy all through this winter season:
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Spend time in Daylight as much as you can
Sit by a window in the sun when you have your afternoon cup of tea, or take a 15 minute stroll around the block on a day when the sun is out. You’ll get a little bit of a Vitamin D boost, as well as feeling warm and connected to the environment around you.
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Take a good Vitamin D supplement
As soon as the clocks turn back I start supplementing my Vitamin D with a daily tablet. But there are other options as well such as choosing fortified milk & juice, or even taking cod liver oil daily.
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Eat foods rich in Vitamin D
Free range eggs, salmon and other oily fish have higher levels of Vitamin D. Consider increasing how much you eat of these foods throughout winter to help keep your Vitamin D levels in tip top shape.
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Consider investing in a Sun Lamp
If you suffer from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) a Sun Lamp can be a great option, but can be on the expensive side. Instead you can try daylight bulbs used by artists to brighten up your house and get you feeling more summery!
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Take a Vacation!
Book a family trip to somewhere warm where you can spend a few days soaking up the sun’s rays together and boosting your Vitamin D levels. Think of it as an investment in your health and the health of your family!
So there you have it, our top tips for keeping your Vitamin D levels up this winter. What do you do to keep healthy during winter? I’d love to hear your tips in the comments below.
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