Thursday, 20 January 2011

• Fight Off Winter Fatigue!

  
  
  There are many possible causes of winter fatigue and vitamin deficiency is one of them.  Everyone knows that vitamins and minerals are needed by your body to function optimally.  If you are deficient in certain vitamins, you might encounter some health issues such as fatigue and general weakness. 

  Although vitamin deficiency is possibly one of the chief factors that could lead to winter fatigue, it would be very useful to consider other causes too. Some of the possible causes could be lack of physical activity, indulging in sugary and carbohydrates rich foods, lack of exposure to sunlight, and unhealthy home environment. 

  But what really causes winter fatigue?

  Winter fatigue is one form of seasonal affective disorder which affects many people living in northern climates.  It is called seasonal because it will only manifest during certain periods of the year. 

  If you have winter fatigue, you may display an extreme urge to hibernate inside your home from late fall up to early spring.  Some people display other behaviors such as depression, anxiety, overeating, and irritability.

  Those who feel depressed during winter try to cope with the situation by overeating or indulging on nonessential foods.  If this happens to you, then you could suffer from vitamin deficiency.  As you eat more junk and less nutritious foods, you are practically lowering your vitamin consumption.  Once your body experience vitamin imbalance, winter fatigue could manifest. 

  Although vitamin deficiency due to poor nutrition could be the principal cause of your growing weakness, other factors may come into the picture too.  For example, if you have abandoned your regular exercise routine, then it could cause fatigue.  Whether you believe it or not, lack of exercise and physical activity may trigger muscle weakness.  That is because your system is becoming more sluggish due to lack of proper blood circulation. 

  Another factor that you should look into is lack of sunlight.  During the winter months, it is very common for some people to oversleep so they miss the morning sunshine.  Without sun exposure, your body could experience vitamin deficiency especially on vitamin D.

  And how can you combat winter fatigue?

  One of the easiest ways to combat winter fatigue is to avoid vitamin deficiency.  This means you must never abandon your healthy diet.  Always eat nutritious foods and make sure that your meals are well balanced.  You should be concentrating on foods that are rich in vitamins D, B-12, and A.  Increasing your consumption of fatty fish and meat could also help you greatly. 

  Another important thing that you should do is to go outdoors especially in the morning to catch the midday sunlight.  This will help you to avoid vitamin D deficiency.  Why not get a long morning walk everyday so you can get sunshine and at the same time exercise your weary muscles. 

  There are so many people who suffer from the winter blues.  You could avoid it by having a healthy diet.  Good nutrition ensures that you will not suffer from vitamin deficiency.  You have to remember that vitamin deficiency is one of the biggest possible causes of winter fatigue so you should always eat right during the dreary winter months.

   

  Do you ever suffer from winter fatigue? How do you fight off the winter blues?

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