Weathering the Weather

Here we are in the midst of the winter blues. For most of the country, the weather has been unpleasant -- rainy, cloudy, snowy, cold, and more than anything, unpredictable. Leaving the debate between global warming or natural cycles aside, for the majority of people who sit in an office or classroom during the week, it can be frustrating when the weekend weather doesn't live up to expectations.

Before you know it, you are feeling grumpy and are dragging through the week, lacking the energy to perform your every day activities. According to one local expert, this country is becoming one whose people are Vitamin D deficient -- which can lead to chronic diseases like high blood pressure, cancer, pain, periodontal issues, osteoporosis, and Seasonal Affective Disorder.

What can you do to take better care of yourself this season? The medical authorities say that 10~15min of sunshine three times a week, without sunscreen, is all you need for adequate Vitamin D production, so seize those rare moments of clear skies! Give yourself permission to take a walk around the building over your lunch break when it's sunny. If nothing else, getting the blood pumping may be enough to offset the sluggishness you feel.

If you, like many of those in Arizona, always wear sunscreen that blocks out UVB rays, consider getting Vitamin D from sources like fatty fish (salmon, tuna, eel), mushrooms, or a whole egg, or supplements like fish liver oils. In the US & Canada, foods like milk and yogurt are fortified with Vitamin D as well, so consider increasing your intake of these foods during the winter.

Last but not least, make that effort to smile at a stranger or friend! Being grateful for what we do have and showing our appreciation may be the easiest way to fight the blues.

Quote of the Week: "Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves." - James Matthew Barrie