This Is Why You Should Leave Your House This Winter
When you’re shivering under your covers and there are inches of snow waiting for you outside, it’s easy to toss your daytime plans out the window and binge watch these 10 new shows and movies. And if you’re a chronic headache sufferer, you’re probably very familiar with the cozy feel of a dark room and minimal noise. The only problem with this hermit strategy? It’s definitely not helping you get enough vitamin D, something researchers now think could have major effects on your health.
According to a new study published in Scientific Reports, a vitamin D deficiency could increase your risk of chronic headaches. Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland studied 2,600 Finnish men between the ages of 42 and 60 and discovered men with low vitamin D levels (below 50 nmol/l) were two times more likely to suffer from chronic headaches than men with the highest levels of the vitamin. They also found that the subjects’ reported instances of chronic headaches shot up from November to May, AKA the gloomy winter months. Though these results have yet to be studied in women who suffer from chronic headaches, they lead the way for promising new research that could finally nix your stubborn headache pain once and for all.
In the meantime, getting your vitamin D is as easy as stepping outside and letting the sun grace your bare skin. If you’re not quite ready to give up your cozy bedroom hangs or you always slather on sunblock (which blocks the UVB rays that help your body produce vitamin D) before you leave the house, The Vitamin D Council suggests that you take vitamin D supplements. You can also find vitamin D in your food, like egg yolks, fortified cereals and fortified milk, though The Vitamin D Council warns that the vitamin levels in these products are too low to be your only source.
Of course, you should always talk with your doctor before you embark on any major lifestyle or dietary changes. And no, we don’t mean Dr. House or Dr. Meredith Grey!
How are you getting plenty of sunshine during the winter months? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
(Photos via Getty)