Elisabeth's tips for a better dark time
"Even though I grew up in Finnmark, where there is no sun for two months a year, the time of darkness is not any easier for me. When I was younger and didn't have the knowledge I have now, it felt like you were just walking around like a zombie most of the time. The sleeping routines were just a mess because you couldn't sleep until late at night, and then could hardly get up in the morning. In the afternoon I could take long afternoon naps, which disturbed the night's sleep even more. Little energy and constantly tired is how I remember it.
Fortunately, the dark time is easier now that I follow my dark time routines to the letter. When we don't get daylight or sun, not as much melatonin is produced - the hormone that makes us fall asleep. Therefore, you are awake for longer and your sleep rhythm is disturbed.
In a study with people suffering from sleep problems, researchers saw a 160% increase in melatonin levels at night after being exposed to just half an hour of bright light from a daylight lamp.
DAYLIGHT
Therefore, number one - I always make sure to be outside in daylight, or what little daylight there is during the day. If that doesn't work, I've invested in a daylight lamp that I use for half an hour every day. This means that I actually feel tired at normal times and have no problems falling asleep. I feel a big difference when I don't use it, or don't have time to go out in the morning.
EXERCISE
At first I didn't think I could jog outside in the winter, or it was something I wasn't looking forward to, until I had tried it. Winter has now become my favorite time of year to jog! This is because the fresh cold air is extra invigorating and fresh, and you feel so fresh for a long time afterwards. In addition, exercise leads to better sleep. Now I prefer to eat lunch while working, and use my lunch to go for a short run while it is still daylight. At the weekend, when you have a bit more time, ski trips are our favorite activity in winter! Fun for both young and old.
VITAMIN D3
It is nothing new that vitamin D levels drop in winter due to too little sun on the body. Too little vitamin D in the body can cause you to lose energy and feel tired and depressed! Usually 10 minutes of sun on the body is enough for us to get our daily dose of vitamin D. But when we don't have that option, we should take extra supplements of the sun vitamin. That's why I always make sure to take our chewable Vitamin D3 with lovely cranberry flavor - my favourite!
In addition, I can occasionally take 12 minutes in the solarium, so that you get sun all over your body and it can form its own vitamin D. Although I know that solariums can be harmful in large quantities, I choose to believe that a little sun does more good than harm, if you keep it to a minimum.
OPTIMUM
I simply do not know what I would do without our OptiMSM . I'm convinced that it's the one that gives me that extra little pep, so that I don't lose my energy during the afternoon and manage to keep up with our active 4-year-old. So many people give feedback that they now don't have to take their usual afternoon nap and feel they have more energy after starting regularly with our OptiMSM. In addition, it keeps my otherwise restless stomach in check and I can tolerate all kinds of food again! Simply a fantastic multi-product! Also good for hair, skin and nails.
DIET
Surely there are more people who feel that they get a greater craving for sweets when it is dark? The simple explanation is that when the atmospheric temperature drops, our body tries to increase its own temperature to survive the cold. In this process, all our nutrients are used, especially the most energizing ones; fats and carbohydrates.
Therefore, our bodies "crave" sweets and fried, preferably spicy food, to keep us warm. Such foods help to maintain the fat tissue just under the skin, which acts as insulation against the cold. I try as often as I can to make fruit smoothies and carrot juice in the morning. This gives me a lot of healthy carbohydrates and nutrition which help to curb my sweet tooth throughout the day and evening. In addition, I make sure I get plenty of protein at all meals. This stabilizes blood sugar and can curb the sweet tooth.
VITAMIN TEST
About every three months I use our vitamin meter that we have in our shop. There I can monitor my vitamin, mineral, omega-3 and collagen levels, among other things, which comes in handy if you want to get the most out of the dark times.
BUT by all means - the Christmas season is meant to be enjoyed, and especially all the good Christmas food and Christmas cakes! The most important thing is to find the balance in our own life, where we feel most comfortable. Only we ourselves can find out this recipe. Have a great time before Christmas! Hugs from Elisabeth"