Why winter sucks and how you can increase vitamin D during these shorter daylight hours.

Winter is a cold, nasty season in New England. I don’t like it, but this is where I’ve lived my entire life. There was a time in my life where every winter I grew more seasonally depressed. I would be consumed with sadness and it just wouldn’t shake except for those brief moments of sunshine that snuck in past the dark winter days. Sunshine is my happy juice, it warms my soul and makes me feel so complete.

Why Winter Sucks

• **Shorter days, meaning less sunshine.
• **Freezing cold temperatures.
• **Heating costs get out of hand.
• **Electricity costs get out of hand.
• **No one wants to get outside.
• **Have to bundle up to go anywhere.

Winter is hard on so many people. In New England, we tend to have lower Vitamin D levels due to the shorter days and lack of sunshine during winter. It’s no wonder why winter gets me feeling so hopeless, I don’t really eat any products that have Vitamin D in them. I’ve been told to drink milk, but milk makes me sick to my stomach and I usually end up in the bathroom all day after having some. I do love cheese, but I don’t eat it very often and I’m not even sure if it has enough Vitamin D to make up for the loss during winter.

Ways to Increase Vitamin D

The obvious way for me is to spend 15 minutes at least in the sunshine every day, but winter season makes that impossible to do on a regular basis. So if you’re stuck in the winter season and feeling blue, then here are some ways you can increase Vitamin D with food and drink:

• **Eat more salmon
• **Eat real tuna
• **Raw fish has more vitamin D than cooked, so take sushi into consideration too.
• **Fortified orange juice
• **Eat more mushrooms
• **Enjoy those eggs for breakfast.
• **Take a Vitamin D supplement.

Out of this little list of ways to increase Vitamin D, fortified orange juice was the only option that actually shocked me. I didn’t even think about having more fortified orange juice every day during these crappy winter days in New England. I’ve debated taking a Vitamin D supplement before, but just look at how many are out there on the market:

All products below are from Amazon and use my affiliate link. 

NatureWise Vitamin D3 5,000 IU for Healthy Muscle Function, Bone Health and Immune Support, Non-GMO in Cold-Pressed Organic Olive Oil,Gluten-Free, 1-year supply, 360 countHigh Potency Vitamin D3 (5000iu/125mcg) enhanced with Coconut Oil for Better Absorption ~ Bone, Joint and Immune system support ~ Non-GMO & Gluten Free, 360 Mini Liquid SoftgelsNature Made Vitamin D3 5000 IU Ultra Strength Softgels Value Size 180 CtGarden of Life Raw D3 Supplement – Vitamin Code Whole Food Vitamin D3 5000 IU, Dairy and Gluten Free, Vegetarian, 60 CapsulesVitamin K2 (MK7) with D3 Supplement – Vitamin D & K Complex – Bone and Heart Health Formula – 5000 IU Vitamin D3 & 90 mcg Vitamin K2 MK-7-60 Small & Easy to Swallow Vegetable CapsulesThorne Research – Vitamin D-5000 – Vitamin D3 Supplement (5,000 IU) for Healthy Bones and Muscles- NSF Certified for Sport – 60 CapsulesVitamin K2 + D3 with Organic Coconut Oil for better absorption | 2-in-1 Support for your Heart, Bones & Teeth | Vegan Certified, GMO & Gluten Free ~ 60 Veggie GelsBiotics Research Bio-D-Mulsion Forte © – Vitamin D3 Liquid Drops 2000 IU for Best Absorption, Strengthens Bones, Supports The Immune System, Cardiovascular System

What do you use to increase Vitamin D?