The days are getting shorter time to repost this
Ketchikan Wellness Coalition article with , Janai Meyer, Karla Gelhar, and Brittany Pope.
Be consistent with your Vitamin D intake
Vitamin D is more than just a sunshine vitamin. Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, keeps bones strong, helps with immune function. There’s chatter that it may also help protect against certain cancers, muscular weakness and falling, and heart disease. Supporting your Vitamin D levels by food, sun and supplements during the winter months can help your overall health, energy and wellness.
There are two types of vitamin D, D2 and D3. Your skin produces vitamin D3 when you spend time in the sun (liquid sunshine doesn’t count, sorry Ketchikanites). Good dietary sources of Vitamin D2 include: mushrooms, fatty fish (salmon!), milk or orange juice that’s been fortified with Vitamin D, eggs and butter. If you are taking a supplement, make sure it is a D3 source which is better at improving your vitamin D status. Ideal dose varies from person to person, check with your health provider or Registered Dietitian.
If you have questions, contact your health provider or reach out to me!
Janai Meyer RDN, LD, IBCLC
Get the Most out of a “Happy Light”
Karla Gelhar, LMFT
Hot Tip!
Ketchikan Wellness Coalition has a “Happy Light” in their meeting room – come by for a visit and get your 20 minutes in! --upstairs in the Plaza
Exercise
- Take a walk around the block or if you prefer indoors- go to the recreation center or inside the plaza mall.
- When you wake up, stretch! Use 5 to 10 minutes of your morning to do simple stretches to move your body and warm it up before you start your day.
- If you prefer group fitness— check out your local recreation center’s website or small gym near you for classes like: Pilates, weight lifting, yoga, or spinning.
- If you find it hard to hold yourself accountable you can create a workout accountability partner by talking to a friend who can help keep you on your new healthy routine!
- Warms up your body and muscles during the cold winter months.
- Can strengthen your immune system
- Energizes your mind and body
- Releases mood-lifting chemicals called endorphins which help lower your stress and increase your mood.
Brittany Pope, LPC, MRC, CRC