Have You Gotten Your Daily Dose of Sunshine?

The holidays are over and the seasonal cheer is gone, and like it or not, the dead of winter has officially hit. The gloomy, cold weather isn’t going anywhere in the near future and some of us are unhappy about it more than others. If you have started experiencing muscle weakness or bone pain this winter you might be dealing with a Vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D deficiencies are most common in winter months and some studies suggest an association between low Vitamin D levels and certain mood disorders including Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which can cause mood changes and unhappiness due to the lack of sunlight.

In order to combat discomfort associated with seasonal change, Sharon Roth Maguire, a geriatric nurse practitioner and SeniorVice President of Quality and Clinical Operations for BrightStar Care ®, recommends integrating the following into your daily routine:

Get outside: Yes, it is cold out, but even walking to a café a few blocks away on a sunny day or taking your dog to the park in the afternoon will help you keep your muscles, bones, and joints strong and flexible.

Be extra careful of those icey patches and wear shoes or boots with good gripping capacity to avoid a fall!

Vitamin D (the sunshine vitamin): Naturally produced by sunlight (which is scarce in winter due to longer nights and increased cloud cover), Vitamin D is beneficial for increasing sense of well-being, improving sleep patterns and contributing to bone health.

Some research indicates that Vitamin D supplements may improve symptoms of depression associated with SAD though additional research is needed before a conclusion can be made. Start implementing the vitamin into your daily vitamin program to relieve some of the negative side effects you may be feeling.

Vitamin B6 & B12: These two vitamins help to maintain serotonin levels. Taking B6 and B12 may help reduce irritability, weakness, insomnia and calm nervousness, all of which can be very beneficial during the gloomy winter months. Consult your healthcare provider regarding appropriate doses and to ensure that other supplements and medications you may be taking will not be a concern when also taking Vitamin D.

Natural Light Boxes: Light therapy serves to keep the body’s “internal clock” in sync–alert and awake during the day, but ready to sleep at night. Placing a natural light box in the living room or common area can help give your body the natural boost it needs to fight SAD.

Are you feeling the winter blues, or do you know someone who is? What is a method for cheering up that you know of? One helpful saying that we’ve found is helpful in everyday life, whether you are having a difficult time or you have a loved one who is, is this: “Spread love everywhere. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.”

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