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Bala Cynwyd 610-664-6464

Feasterville 215-355-2700

Radnor 484-840-4500

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Is COVID Bumming You Out? Boost Your Mood with Vitamin D!


Thanks to the pandemic we’re currently living through, financial distress, social isolation and fears of getting sick are more common than ever. This has resulted in rising levels of depression and anxiety. One way to naturally improve your mood is getting your daily dose of vitamin D! Vitamin D—also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin,’ is an essential nutrient. This means your body cannot produce vitamin D itself, and you need to obtain it from an outside source. The good news is that getting vitamin D is easy and FREE! Just head outside and enjoy some outdoor fun in the sun. After sun exposure, our bodies will produce vitamin D. Getting adequate vitamin D has been linked to an improved mood and can help you manage your mental health.

Luckily, the early fall weather is beautiful and there are plenty of activities that can be safely done outside before winter gets here. Here are some ideas for spending time outdoors to get your vitamin D in each day:

  • Read a book outside. A great way to break up your day stuck at home is to sit outside and read. Grab a lounge chair, some sunscreen and get lost in a good book.
  • Eat lunch outside. Avoid mindless, distracted eating in front of your computer by sitting outside while you enjoy your lunch.
  • Go for a walk or run. Kill two birds with one stone—get your steps and your vitamin D in.
  • Take a family bike ride. Get the kids out of the house after a long day of remote learning and take a nice long bike ride before dinner.
  • Join an outdoor fitness class. Many fitness studios, like AFC Fitness, are currently offering their classes outdoors as a way to keep their customers safe during the pandemic.

An added benefit of adequate vitamin D is increased calcium absorption for bone health. Some additional sources of vitamin D include fortified milk and cereal, salmon, tuna and eggs.

If your feelings of depression become overwhelming and unmanageable, be sure to talk to your doctor.

If you would like to work with a dietitian to learn how to get more vitamin D in your diet, contact info@yummybodynutrition.com or call 484-416-1090.

Written by: https://yummybodynutrition.com

Sources:

https://www.eatrightpro.org/news-center/nutrition-trends/weight-management/risk-for-vitamin-d-deficiency-in-children-and-adolescents

https://healthmatters.nyp.org/how-to-avoid-depression-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak/

http://www.jlgh.org/JLGH/media/Journal-LGH-Media-Library/Past%20Issues/Volume%201%20-%20Issue%203/nepps_-_vitamin_d_and_mood_disorders.pdf