How SAD are you?

This week we have the most depressing day of the year, it seemed apt to write this post!

The 3rd Monday of the New Year has been awarded the gloomy title of “Blue Monday” because of a combination of post-Christmas blues, cold dark nights and the arrival of unpaid credit card bills.

Until this particular day was given a name, who felt absolutely fine! Now we know it’s ‘Blue Monday’ who feels they get dragged down?

However, for some the short dark days genuinely leave them feeling S. A. D. Seasonal Affective Disorder, or winter depression, and that’s predominantly due to a lack of Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin. This vitamin helps to moderate the amount of calcium and phosphates in your body which help to keep bones, muscles and teeth healthy. During the months of October through to early March we do not make enough Vitamin D from the available sunlight.

The good news is this Vitamin is found in some foods these are;

• Oily fish
• Red meat
• Liver
• Egg yolks
• Fortified foods such as fat spreads and breakfast cereals

It’s difficult to get the necessary quantities from food alone, maybe it’s worth looking at a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms of Vitamin D. It might also be worth considering a S.A.D Light therapy lamp, the prices range from around £20.00 and as little as 15 minutes a day can minimise the effects. If and whenever possible get outside in the natural daylight, which will have the added benefit of being more active and releasing those magical endorphins – the feel-good factor.