Winter means we tend to stay indoors more often. Even on a sunny day we may opt to stay inside the house doing indoor activities. However, it’s important we take the time to get outside, breathe in some fresh air and get exposure to the sunshine to help maintain levels of vitamin D.

The sun is a natural source of vitamin D and plays a vital role in maintaining our wellbeing. Vitamin D controls the levels of calcium in the blood, providing us with strong bones and muscles.

If you are not getting enough sunshine you may find your mood will drop slightly. Why? Well a study published in The Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience has linked the reduction of sunlight and the changing of the seasons with anxiety-related disorders and panic attacks.

Exposure to regular sunshine, when brought into contact with our eyes, will help lift your mood as sunlight emits a light-induced effect, known as serotonin. Exposure to sunlight has also proven to benefit pre and post-natal women suffering from depression.

You don’t need to spend all day in the sun, and we still recommend you slip slop slap (even in winter). Just 15 minutes in the sunshine every day will help you maintain good levels of Vitamin D.