As I lay awake watching endless episodes of Ghost Whisper, something came to me that has nothing to do with this show. It might just help someone realize that maybe what they are feeling, what they are going through is more than a simple funk. The winter months can take a toll on people. It is the lack of sunshine that deprive of us of Vitamin D. The simple warmth of the sun on out face is able to lift our moods. Think about it. How many people plan a vacation to Antarctica? It is usually somewhere warm and sunny. Does a smile not creep onto your face just thinking about the wind in your hair, the sun on your face and the sand in your toes?
For some, this season of very little sun and being stuck inside is very severe to their well-being. Those with Bi-polar and depression issues like my late husband can find it rather depressing. He would find himself wanting to sleep a lot. His emotions were uncontrollable. He also was very sad. However, a simple trip to a warm climate and he was all anew. Also, when spring came and flowers were blooming his hopes would bloom as well. RIP Mark. I am sure you are basking in the sun.
Others are effected on a lower level. They can't understand why they are unhappy. They may feel sluggish but have no reason to be. They don't feel like going out of the house and socializing. Their little light just ins't signing bright. This can easily happen to any of us.
Children seem to get out of sorts. They become aggravated with the way they feel. They just get down right pissy. It is so sad because they don't know why they are feeling this way and neither do their parents.
Take a look around at those you love. Shoot, take a look in the mirror to make sure you aren't feeling this way. I have seen people that can improve things by going to a tanning salon (all though the surgeon general probably would not recommend this).
Of course some funks are simple. They are a funk. That we can pull ourselves out of eventually.
I did find the following on a sight that reminded of us how important Vitamin D is and ways to get more of it. Even though I am not feeling the funk at this moment, I plan to increase my Vitamin D just in case it sneaks up on me. I think I will pass on the cod liver oil though.
1.Spend as much time outdoors as possible to take advantage of what little sun there is, especially if you live in a place such as the southern part of the England which is often grey, but is still fairly mild and has bouts of sun most weeks. If it is a sunny day, eat your lunch outside and go for a walk, even if your face and hands are the only part of you that isn't covered up. It may not be your entire dose of vitamin D, but it is a start and breathing in fresh air will be beneficial on many levels.
2.Don't wear sunscreen. It is amazing how many skin creams, especially the expensive ones, come with sunscreen in them. This of course is due to the misguided view that we should never be out in the sun without sunscreen on. We must maximise the little amount of sunshine that we have access to, which means avoiding sunscreen. Further, creams with sunscreen in them are often highly toxic for our bodies.
3.Sun showers are vertical tanning units which are often available at health clubs and beauty salons. They increase the amount of vitamin D in the body. Of course it is important to remember that this is not about getting a great tan, this is about getting this important vitamin. Three minutes is all that is needed to bring a little piece of summer into your life. People claim that sun showers completely transform their winters.
4.While pasteurizing milk destroys the vitamin D, unpasteurized milk still has this precious vitamin, as well as many other health enhancing nutrients in tact. It is also worth noting that a lot of pasteurized milks claim to be fortified with vitamin D; however it is much more difficult for the body to use fortified nutrients than the real thing.
5.Mackerel, salmon, and egg yolks are the foods with the highest amount of vitamin D, so if you are not a vegetarian, eat more of these foods in the winter. In saying that, make sure that you are getting fish that is from clean waters so that you don't pollute your body with toxins that are found in the sea. Alaskan wild salmon is one of the cleanest fish you can eat because the waters there are still relatively unspoiled. And non organic eggs are packed with chemicals, hormones and antibiotics that you don't want to go near.
6.Vitamin D can be found in cod liver oil. Again, make absolute sure that the brand you are using is of the absolute highest quality. Really research which brand is most pure.
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