Do you know that lack of sunlight during winter may cause you to feel down and blue?
During the very cold, winter months, when the days are shorter, some experts say that little exposure to sunshine may trigger Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a psychiatric disorder or serious mood change that is also called winter depression.
What Are the Symptoms of SAD?
According to Medline Plus, a publication of the US National Library of Medicine, people with SAD report having the following symptoms:
- Having little energy
- Excessive sleeping
- Craving sugary and starchy foods
Other symptoms of Seasonal Depression include increased sensitivity to pain, social withdrawal, and significant weight gain, based on a 2005 study.
Find out the Health Benefits of Sunlight & Vitamin D
As you may well be aware of, sunlight helps your skin produce Vitamin D, a vital nutrient with remarkable health benefits. Getting high Vitamin D levels will help normalize your melatonin levels and sleeping patterns and will give you more energy during the winter months.
Based on The Daily Times report, “Light can play a major role in treating SAD. Sunlight sends messages to a specific part of your brain, the hypothalamus, that sends another signal to the pineal gland to produce melatonin. Melatonin is responsible for regulating your sleep stage.”
In addition to melatonin, Vitamin D may also decrease your risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis and certain cancers.
Get Your Vitamin D Even if It’s Winter
That’s why, to beat winter depression, Dr. Joseph Mercola recommends that regularly exposing your skin to sun is the healthiest solution, discounting the use of anti-depressant medications, which come with side effects.
He acknowledges, however, that it might be a bit impossible to get enough unfiltered sunlight and Vitamin D when the temperatures are dropping below zero and the days are getting shorter in North America.
This in mind, Dr. Mercola’s recommendation is to use the following:
- Full-spectrum light therapy – helps you get balanced sunlight that is essential to your physical energy, mood and well-being.
- A safe tanning bed – helps you obtain optimal amounts of Vitamin D, while avoiding the risk of X-ray or electromagnetic emissions.
- A Vitamin D3 supplement – before using this, he notes to have your Vitamin D levels tested first to avoid overdose.
In case you suddenly find yourself feeling the blues this winter, you will realize that it could just be your system telling you that you need more sunlight and Vitamin D. When that happens, go outside and do some walking on a sunny winter day. But if it’s too cold for you to get out, you can always derive your sunshine vitamin from options that can be found within your homes – from light therapy, tanning bed or supplement. That way, you can enjoy the holidays, without letting SAD or seasonal depression keep you from having fun this winter time.
Want to learn more about Vitamin D? Browse through this site to read more informative articles.
Related Links:
Try Shedding Some Light on Your Winter Depression
Winter Blues may be Caused by Lack of Sunlight
Four Winter Activities That are Great for Your Body and Mind
Winter Depression Linked With Melatonin Cycle
Related posts:
- Cut Your Multiple Sclerosis Risks with Vitamin D
- How Sun Tanning & Vitamin D Affect Your Risk of Breast Cancer
- Avoid Vitamin D Overdose
- Vitamin D Deficiency & Osteoporosis – What’s the Link?
- Want a Quick Tan? Spray Tans May Not Be Good for You
Tags: dr. joseph mercola, dr. mercola, safe tanning bed, tanning bed, Vitamin D
