Why it's important to get some sun!

During the autumn and winter months, it is common to spend more time indoors. Shorter days, colder weather and daily pressures can make staying in your room feel easier than going outside. However, regularly avoiding daylight can have a noticeable effect on your mood, energy levels and overall wellbeing. One condition strongly linked to reduced sunlight exposure is Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Understanding what SAD is and how vitamin D can help may encourage you to make small changes that support your mental health.

So what is S.A.D?

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of depression that follows a seasonal pattern, most often appearing during the winter months when daylight hours are limited. It is believed to be caused by changes in light exposure, which affect the parts of the brain responsible for regulating mood, sleep and energy.

If you are affected by SAD, you may feel persistently low, tired, or unmotivated, and everyday tasks can begin to feel more difficult. Spending long periods in a dark room can worsen these feelings, as your brain receives fewer signals that it is daytime, which can disrupt your sleep pattern and emotional balance.

How can you help yourself?

Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine vitamin” because your body produces it when your skin is exposed to sunlight. In the UK, it can be difficult to get enough vitamin D during autumn and winter due to weaker sunlight and shorter days, particularly if you spend most of your time indoors.

Low vitamin D levels have been linked to low mood and reduced energy. Taking a vitamin D supplement during the winter months can help support both mental and physical health. However, supplements should not be seen as a replacement for going outside. Spending time in daylight, even briefly, helps regulate your body clock and supports overall wellbeing.

Seasonal Affective Disorder can have a real impact on how you feel during the darker months of the year. Limited sunlight and low vitamin D levels can contribute to low mood and fatigue, while staying in your room for long periods may increase feelings of isolation.

By opening your curtains in the morning, making an effort to spend some time outside each day, and ensuring you maintain healthy vitamin D levels, you can take simple but effective steps to protect your mental health. Sometimes, improving how you feel begins with something very small: stepping outside and letting in the daylight.