With nearly 10 million Americans affected by SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder, it’s probably no surprise how important Vitamin D is, right?
I had no idea this was a thing for the longest time. I grew up in California and it wasn’t until I moved to Nebraska, and started to experience what I call “real Winter,” did I start to realize a shift in my mood.
Now granted, I was a teenager, so for a long time I didn’t think much of it. I heard someone mention SAD years ago, when I realized it was a thing, and some-thing I wanted to learn more about.
I completely understand now, that when we have overcast, cloudy days, and the sun isn’t out, my mood might suffer. I try to do other things to elevate my mood, but I think it’s so important to have the awareness.
Literally nothing in my life could have changed within a 24 hour period, but with a cloudy day, and a sunny day back to back, hands down my mood will be better on the sunny day. I just feel more optimistic.
Can you relate?
So how much sunshine do we need to get our daily dose of Vitamin D?
Just 10 minutes a day – preferably over the noon hour, due to where the sun is located at that time, to get the best dosage.
10 minutes! Totally doable, yeah?
You can do this after eating lunch easily I bet. Go for a walk, and then you get a double bonus.
Let’s get a little more specific and learn about some of the benefits of Vitamin D – the vitamin we get from the sun’s absorption. And chalk the sunscreen while you’re at it, because you won’t absorb as much.
Don’t worry, 10 minutes of sunshine shouldn’t burn you.
Here are 3 benefits of Vitamin D you want to pay attention to:
- Helps fight disease: Things like: rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and autoimmune disease, are just a few of the things that you could increase your risk of developing through a lack of vitamin D. Without the right levels, your immune system could become compromised enough that you more easily become ill. When you have adequate amounts, your body is healthy and prepared to fight off whatever foreign invaders sneak in, keeping you healthy.
- Regulates mood. It should come as no surprise that you may be able to lower mood swings and have an overall feeling of wellbeing with this vitamin, knowing that SAD can take you down a few notches. Vitamin D alone, aside from sunshine, plays a role in mood.
- Builds strong bones. Our bones are living, and growing. They need to be fed the kinds of things that support them, just like the rest of our body. Combat bone loss and pain by ensuring you are getting the vitamin D you need.
This is a vitamin with a powerful punch! We tend to think about Vitamin C when it comes to immunity, but don’t overlook this guy. He’s just as important.
Let me know in the comment below if you’ve experienced Seasonal Affective Disorder. I certainly have.
