Vitamin D helps if you are dealing with S.A.D (seasonal affective disorder). Basically, our brain gets to go into a state akin to hibernation. Unfortunately, modern life isn’t compatible with this. The effect is tiredness and low mood.

SAD seems to be triggered by low vitamin D, low exposure to sunlight, and the cold. The exact trigger levels vary from person to person.

If you’ve not tried it yet, a daylight lamp could help a lot, combined with the Vitamin D, it trucks the brain into thinking it’s still warm and bright outside. You want a hot in the morning, as well as one in the mid to late afternoon.

Failing that, accept your need to hibernate, and plan it in. It’s not ideal, but not fighting it will also help your mood.

I live in the PNW where the winters are brutal for sun. I was really deficient, so I noticed in an hour. I had more energy and could think clearer. I take the drops.

It probably depends if you’re getting enough. The best way would be if your doctor tests your levels. My doctor initially prescribed me to take like a 50,000 IU dose once a week with dinner or something like that, but I found it hard to remember. I asked about switching to something daily and took an over-the-counter pill every day, which became a routine and harder to miss. After another test we doubled it so I take two pills every day and now an in a better range. But there were months in between the tests, so I think it takes time to really have an impact.

They don’t do anything. Go outside more.