It’s that time of year again! Ok, now that I have your attention, what I really mean is it’s that time when people typically feel tired, lethargic and drained of energy. The good old winter blues have struck again!

This is the time of year that people dread. The buzz from the holidays has worn off, the days are short, and it’s too cold to get outside and be active. Sure, part of these feelings  just seem to come with the season. However, there are also internal changes that occur within our body that make this time of the year seem unbearable.

One of the main reasons for these feelings during this time of year is due to the lack of sunlight.

There is hope, however, and the beauty of it is that we as human beings have the power to make a few small lifestyle  changes that can make the winter season just as happy and  productive as any other time of year. One of the most  powerful things you can do to keep you feeling energetic,  lively and enthusiastic through the winter season is by adding one of nature’s critical elements to your lifestyle.

What is this miracle substance that I refer to? No, it’s not a magic pill that I’ve discovered on the Wal-mart shelves. It’s one of nature’s healthiest nutrients for the human body, it’s called…..Vitamin D!!

The benefits of Vitamin D cannot be overstated. Vitamin D regulates growth in just about every cell of our body. It is absolutely critical to developing strong bones, teeth, and eyesight. It also aids in the absorption of other key nutrients, mainly calcium and Vitamins A and C. It has also shown to play a role in the prevention of various types of  cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and inflammatory conditions.

Vitamin D deficiency can cause some frightening effects  as well. It has been linked to elevated cholesterol levels and hypertension in older adults. Because of its critical role in calcium absorption, the lack of Vitamin D can also cause weakened bones, which in turn leads to severe joint pain and inflammation. People who have tested low for Vitamin D levels in the bloodstream have also reported lower energy levels, depression, and overall lack of motivation.

….Try combating the Winter Blues without it! No thanks!

So, where can we get Vitamin D. There are a lot of answers out there - in our diet, supplementation, and sunlight would be the most common. All of these are good sources.

Supplementation is a great way to get the necessary  Vitamin D3.  I usually try and take about 5000 IU’s per day.  It’s very inexpensive and effective at maintaining healthy energy levels.

Some great food sources for Vitamin D include eggs (particularly egg yolks), some meats (especially liver),milk, sardines, salmon, and cod liver oils. While these are all great resources for getting Vitamin D in your diet, ingested sources are generally insufficient for ensuring adequate Vitamin D levels. However, that doesn’t mean you should give up. Foods that are high in  Vitamin D usually contain other critical nutrients for overall health as well.

Sunlight may be the most effective way to get adequate amounts of Vitamin D. Conventional wisdom would tell us to avoid the sun at all costs, however, regular moderate exposure to sunlight is the best way to get Vitamin D that the human body can use.  Without getting adequate sun, you would need to drink almost 40 glasses of milk to achieve adequate Vitamin D levels. Excess Vitamin D is actually destroyed by the sun itself, so it is impossible to overdose on it through sun exposure.  The greatest benefit of getting sunlight is that the Vitamin D that is specific to sun exposure contains a natural mood elevator, something that can play a necessary role in
combating the Winter Blues!

So the solution to picking your spirits up this season? Eat a healthy, balanced diet with plenty of natural Vitamin D sources, and try to endure the cold and get outside, even if it’s just for a few minutes every day. Even if its just sitting by a window with sunlight coming through it for a few minutes per day.  Your body (and mood) will thank you for it, as you re-energize during this typically “down” time!