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“Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine.”
~ Anthony J. D’Angelo
I don’t know about you, but here in Northeast Ohio we don’t get very many sunny days in the winter time; our days are mostly gray, cold, and drab. I think the weather forecaster said we’ve had like 2 sunshiny days out of the last 50 days… or something like that. So when the sun comes out, it’s a real treat.
The sun can be a real mood booster. Not only in the winter time, but all year long. We all have a gland called the pineal gland, which makes melatonin. Melatonin is an extremely important natural chemical. It is keeps our inner clock balanced and helps with the day to day functioning of our body. Sunshine stimulates the pineal gland to make more melatonin. Sunshine also stimulates our bodies to produce serotonin which is why it is such a mood booster… serotonin is a hormone that we produce to alter our mood. Many people suffer to some degree with “SAD”, or Seasonal Affective Disorder. Sunshine is a natural treatment for SAD.
Sunshine is also the number one provider of Vitamin D for our bodies! Just 15-20 minutes a day will provide you with all the Vitamin D you need for the day. Some people might need to be out longer, some shorter. Just get out there, take a walk, pull some weeds, or wash the car. Just spend a few minutes in the sun daily and get your share of Vitamin D. If you’re missing the sun in the winter time, you can get the Vitamin from foods such as whole milk and fish, but sunshine is a great way for your body to easily absorb Vitamin D.
Plus the word Sunshine is just a happy word, isn’t it? How can you not smile when you say it or think about it? More on Vitamin D & sunshine here.
Gorgeous shots, Sheila!
I heard our weatherman say we only had 2 sunny days in January…..so I can totally relate. I also take a supplement of Vitaman D in the winter. I buy the liquid form and throw a few tablespoons in a smoothy. It tastes good:)
I agree….SUNSHINE is a spectacular word! And sunny days are priceless during the long winter!
Here’s to rays of light.,….
Love,
Jen
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Sheila
Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 4:27 pm
@Little Lessons Under the Big SKy,
Mmmmmmmmm a smoothie sounds so good, what a wonderful way to get vitamin d. and FRUIT!
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I take vitamin D every morning…just in case there’s no sunshine…
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Sheila
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February 9th, 2011 at 6:13 pm
@BLOGitse,
What a wonderful comment, lol! Thanks for the chuckle. I’ve got to get some vitamin D. IN supplement form like you guys have!
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I am absolutely craving the sun! I have even actually considered going tanning…
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Sheila
Reply:
February 9th, 2011 at 6:24 pm
@Kimberly,
I’ve considered it myself. But years ago I went tanning and I wasn’t that into it. It smelled like coconut sweat and there’s just something about the possibility of laying in someones leftover sweat droplets. (I’m a germaphobe, btw. LOL) I know they clean the beds, yadda yadda, but still)
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Lovely photos!
In Europe, the kids are given extra Vitamin D3 (make sure its D3 and not D2; label should say Cholecalciferol and not Ergocalciferol) in the winter… it’s a very good idea for everybody! Esp since we use so much sunscreen in the summer months now, people work inside, etc…my endocrinologist told me to take 5000 mg (!) which blew my mind. D2 supplements were typically only about 400 mg. D3 can go pretty high, so if you have Seasonal Affective Disorder, try at least 1000-2000 mg to start.
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Wow! We’ve actually had more sun in the rainy Pacific Northwest than you’ve had. Weird. I take Vitamin D daily.
Oh…and you’re a germaphobe?! Yet another thing we have in common.
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I need some melatonin!! Maybe I should take vitamin D, too, and I’d sleep a little better. It’s finally sunny here in Denver, too. We went outside with our preschoolers for the first time yesterday. They need to run and be outdoors just as much as we do! It felt good for us teachers, too.
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Those are beautiful photos! I know I would be depressed without our sunshine. It is amazing what it does to our bodies both physically and mentally. When my grandmother was going through a depression, I visited all the time to take her out for walks – it really helps out.
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Sheila
Reply:
February 11th, 2011 at 9:54 pm
@Michelle,
That’s beautiful! What a wonderful granddaughter you are!
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