Where has all the sunshine gone?

Actually, today the sun is shining where I am, but this is the exception rather than the norm recently. We all instinctively know that winter is a more sombre time of year and that some people suffer more than most with depression and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

Recent studies have shown Vitamin D levels have a profound effect on our mood, especially depression.  And levels of Vit D are at their lowest right now, following the lengthy winter when any stores would have been completely depleted.

This is because we get the majority of our Vitamin D from sunlight on our skin, which has been severely lacking in recent days.  And crucially this must be skin with nothing on it, and that includes any make up or sun cream.

Vit D deficiency can also give you some muscle pain, weakness and bone pain.  Very occasionally you can also get tingling of the lips, tongue and fingers.

So whenever you do get the change (on a day like today) get that sunshine on you skin as much as you can.  If this isn’t possible try including some Vit D rich foods in you diet like oily fish (salmon, sardines, tuna) or including more egg yolks.

A walk in the sunshine really can lift your mood!