Vitamin D3 and the Winter Blues

When the fall and winter months approach, there is less sunlight. Usually this also means less time spent outdoors, if the climate is cold and it gets dark very early. For some people, this can also cause a shift in moods.

Getting less sunlight and Vitamin D, can cause a case of the blues. I know for myself, I start feeling blue when the summer ends and the day light gets shorter. Last year, while discussing depression with my doctor, he said I may suffer from a Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as, SAD.

He explained that when the seasons change, particularly into fall and winter, a person with Seasonal Affective Disorder will experience a depressed mood. They will feel more tired and have less motivation during those months.

Since I will only seek out natural remedies for my depression, he recommended that I begin taking Vitamin D3 to help treat the symptoms of seasonal depression. He said that levels of Vitamin D may be low during those months because of decreased exposure to the sun.

I began taking D3 on a daily basis. I started out with 1000mg per day. I did notice a slight positive change in my mood during the fall and winter, but it still wasn't enough. My doctor then recommended that for someone like myself, who would get severely depressive episodes, I should take 5000mg of Vitamin D3 per day instead.

Increasing the dosage has made a better difference. I now take 5000mg per day and feel less depressed about the fall and winter months that are coming up. I feel more positive about them. I will still miss the days of summer, sitting on the beach in the sun. However, the blues that I normally experience at this time of year, are not as bad.

I'm not saying that Vitamin D3 totally cured me of my Seasonal Affective Disorder, but it has definitely taken the edge off and helped me to have some better days. I noticed a difference when experimenting with the vitamin.

I stopped taking D3 for a two month period and noticed that my depression levels were higher during those months. When I started taking the D3 again, I noticed a more elevated mood.

I will continue to take Vitamin D3 for my depression. In fact, I take it all year around. It has other benefits as well. Maybe it could benefit you, if you feel that you suffer from a Seasonal Affective Disorder. It's worth a try, as it is natural and good for your body and mind.