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How to Combat Low Vitamin D3 And Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

January can be such a dreary month in Michigan. Even though we’ve had a relatively mild winter so far, and not a lot of lake effect snow band squalls, the sun rarely shines. It’s great to get out in the fresh air, and I have had a relatively easy time with balance. The driveway or in parking lots aren’t always frozen over and slippery to complicate gait/balance and vertigo issues. But, I’ve been noticing since Christmas that I’m exceptionally fatigued. I feel like I should be over that after 13-14 months brain surgery post op. I know that Vitamin D3 levels should be checked with regularity, and I’m not sure mine has ever been checked. I was glad to hear that my new primary care provider wanted to do one a few weeks ago. I was surprised to hear, however, that my levels were even lower than what they consider low. I’m now taking D3 supplements at the urging of the PCP, but also cod liver oil and calcium with magnesium to be sure that bone health is good.

Honestly, I didn’t even realize fatigue was a symptom of low D3. It’s super easy to chalk it up to “I had major brain surgery a year ago, and the tumor void is still healing.”

What are the symptoms of low Vitamin D3? (See also Healthline.)

They can be subtle, and you might even chalk them up to other problems or disorders. I’m learning that this is often the case for a lot of disorders or health issues, and that’s why it’s so important to get baseline blood work and testing to be sure the PCP can note changes.

1. Fatigue and tiredness is one.

2. Inability to lose weight.

3. Getting sick or getting infections often. One may also find wounds have difficulty healing.

4. Bone or back pain. With a low D3 level, calcium absorption is not as efficient, so bones could be weaker. This can also be a cause of bone loss.

5. Depression which may or may not be part of Seasonal Affective Disorder.

6. Hair loss.

7. Muscle pain.

Where does one get Vitamin D3?

1. Sunshine helps bodies make its own D3.

2. From certain foods like certain mushrooms, egg yolks, salmon, tuna, cod liver oil, herring, sardines, halibut, mackerel, fortified foods like orange juice, cereal, cow’s milk, and soy milk.

D3 is actually a hormone, fat soluble vitamin. You get it from food, sunshine, and supplements. According to Healthline, it may aid in the blocking of fat cell creation and storage, thereby attributing higher levels of it to greater weight reduction. It may also play a role in boosting metabolism.

While doing my research on my Vitamin D3 level and problem, I found out that many of the foods and nutrients mentioned for combatting low levels of it are also the nutrients for health hair and to grow hair.

My free 3-book, 9 Nutrients for Growing Healthy Hair can be found here. I love to share it!

Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder is sometimes considered the “winter blues” but it can happen any time of the year. It’s an actual cyclical depression. Some say they have SAD simply because they have low D3, but that may not always be the case.

According to the Mayo Clinic, signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
Having low energy
Having problems with sleeping
Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
Feeling sluggish or agitated
Having difficulty concentrating
Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide

The cause of SAD is not completely known, but it is noted that circadian rhythms, low serotonin and melatonin levels seem to contribute. Family history, bipolar disorder, and major depression issues also seem to contributing factors.

The Mayo Clinic says “Treatment for seasonal affective disorder may include light therapy, medications, and psychotherapy.” Meditation, relaxation techniques, guided imagery, and music or art therapy may also help.

For either low vitamin D3 or Seasonal Affective Disorder, be sure to reaching out to your healthcare provider for the best ways to deal with your situations. Healthcare is not usually a one size fits all approach. This post should also not be construed as medical advice. It is simply my own research for understanding of my own situation.

To combat my vitamin D3 issue, my PCP recommended supplementation and diet. I’m happy to report that my fatigue symptoms seem to be lifting.

To combat any winter blues and to keep a good mental outlook, not necessarily related to Seasonal Affective Disorder, I’ve opted to create “happy places” or “pampering situations.”

I love changing out homey decorations with soothing colors, and have purchased more indoor plants now that there is no danger of my children eating poisonous leaves. I also love to listen to soothing music and create through crocheting, sewing, or crafting. There is nothing as encouraging as finishing projects! Adult coloring books are a fun activity while relaxing in the evenings too.

As always, I love keeping my mind active through reading and research of topics that interest me. I love that my nursing license credentials come due at the end of January so that I have to be sure I’ve completed enough continuing education credits. I love researching health issues related to myself or my family.

I get monthly massages, eat right, and drink plenty of water. I also try to exercise. And, of course, I am my own best customer when it comes to having new Lilla Rose hair accessories to beautify my hair and brighten up my outlook.

How do you combat winter blues?

Tell me!

7 Hair Care Essentials for Good Self Care in 2020

Most of us desire strong, healthy looking hair. It seems like trends and fads, though, keep us chasing after the newest shiniest objects promising us health or the kind of hair we wish we had, rather than what is always best for us. Healthy hair, though, goes beyond the latest shampoo or conditioner brand promise, beyond the latest “natural healing compound”, and beyond even regular trims at the hair dresser. Healthy hair starts and grows at the root, and gaining health after a set back starts at the roots too.

What can you do besides using caution in having very tight hair styles, regular trims, conditioning, gentle brushing before washing, reduce heat tool use, and be sure you are checking ingredients of conditioners and shampoos and using the same brands of those?

7 essential hair care blog post tips for good self care in new year 2020, health, hair care, healthy hair

The following seven blog posts help guide us back to those roots, and interestingly, most also guide us back to general health. There are just no short cuts to gaining or retaining good health or healthy hair, I’ve learned this past year.

1. Water
As discussed in Six Ways Drinking Water Benefits Hair and Scalp there are lots of great reasons for health to generally be drinking more water. Our bodies are 2/3 water. Drinking water is superior to any other fluid intake, like soda, coffee, or other beverages.

What are the many benefits of drinking water for hair and the scalp?

First, one of the major benefits to drinking more water is a hydrated scalp, which reduces flaking, itching, and dandruff. A good shampoo helps, but hydration is important.

Second, for adequate hydration prevents hair loss and promotes hair growth. Water repairs hair and adds needed nutrients. It even makes hair shinier.

Third, increasing water intake prevents hair breakage and frizz. Especially if there is frequent chemical processing, which dries out hair, being hydrated strengthens cuticles and hair follicles.

Next, drinking more water balances hair pH, as well as filters excess toxins and minerals found in blood that affect hair health.

In addition, “Water activates all these nerve endings and other sensors in our skin and scalp that enhances the natural vitality of hair roots.”

Finally, hair hygiene also matters. Rinsing hair in cool water, rather than hot water promotes shine and gloss. Softer water makes hair more manageable, and prevents color fade.

2. Promoting Healthy Hair and Scalp in Hygiene: Infection Prevention
In Promoting Healthy Hair and Scalp in Hygiene, I discuss the dangers of going to sleep with wet hair. Going to bed with wet hair sets up conditions for a warm, moist environment for a fungal infection, especially since it takes so long for hair to dry. Scrunchie or fabric hair ties harbor fungal infection, and allows the infection to spread if it’s not washed in a hot wash/dry every few days. It also holds in the dampness and prevents air flow to the scalp. Cotton pillowcases cause drying hair to stay on a damp warm surface, thereby promoting more fungus growth.

Once a fungal infection (dermatophytes) sets up on the scalp, often called ringworm (tinea capitis), there is a red scaly rash with irregular borders on the scalp. “The fungi attack the outer layer of skin on the scalp and the hair shaft.” The infection literally cuts the hair at the follicle shaft, so hair loss is occurring. There may be itching and burning. There are photos and more information of what the condition looks like at the Mayo Clinic website.

It is contagious in that the fungus is on anything the scalp touches. This includes hair styling tools (comb/brush), elastics and barrettes and scrunchies. It includes pillow cases, coat hoods, and hats. A child who shares any of those items can also spread the infection to another child, or even to a beloved pet, as carriers of the infection. A family might also find that the infection carrier is actually that pet who could be asymptomatic!

Read more about the fungal treatments, how to handle, and prevention tips in Promoting Healthy Hair & Scalp: Ringworm Prevention Tips.

3. 23 Tips for a Healthy Scalp & Hair
In 23 Tips for a Healthy Scalp & Hair, I discuss how there are a lot of opinions about how to have a healthy hair and scalp. Not all of the advice given is based on science or research.Testing for cosmetics and hair products is done by manufacturers selling the product. The FDA gets involved only when there is a problem with a product.

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23 Tips For A Healthy Scalp & Hair

In my free downloadable e-book, I list twenty-three tips for seeking a healthier scalp and hair. The tips involve use of hair tools, how to keep the tools, towels, and pillowcases clean, best hair care practices, hair hygiene, and best health care practices in diet. You can see the full post here.

4. 9 Nutrients for Growing Healthy Hair
While I was recovering from surgery, and after my fabulous not so fashionable neuro-surgical hair cut, I needed to know what I needed to eat and be nutritionally sound to heal well, and to grow my hair back as quickly as I could. I sell hair clips as my business, after all, and hair is needed for demonstrating that.

9 Nutrients For Growing Healthy Hair

In the course of that nutrition research, I wrote an e-book to share, 9 Nutrients for Growing Healthy Hair. It is has literally been how I eat, and continue to do so. Honestly, it was how I’ve wanted to eat, like a craving for good health. As it turns out what is good for hair is also good for healing. Read the full post here. This is exactly what my body also needed for gaining my physical strength and incisional healing too. This is a no fad plan.

5. Three Tools We Use For Stronger Healthier Hair
I’ve alluded before, especially in my Lilla Rose video, that our family has had various not so pretty hair issues in the past. A few years ago, we found three tools for our arsenal of better hair care leading to better hair health and two of those were recommended to us by our hair stylist. In Three Tools We Use for Stronger Healthier Hair I share those tools that benefited us.

We had to gently twist A-Grape’s hair back in July/August of 2013 in order to hide a bald spot and she only had enough hair to gather into a mini Lilla Rose flexi clip.

6. Reverse Hair Washing
In early 2017, I switched to using Art Naturals Organic Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo and Conditioner in my reverse hair washing method. I’ve faithfully conditioned, leaving the conditioner on for 3-5 minutes in the shower, and then washed. Sometimes I would condition after washing too. I stopped doing coconut oil “deep condition” treatments. I enjoy fewer fly aways, shiny, soft hair. My grays are softer and sparkle. I’ve noted, too, that while my hair is air drying, it is actually drying faster. I now use a Lilla Rose bamboo hair towel and rosewater too. Needless to say, I encourage readers to try the Reverse Wash method of hair care if you are struggling like I was with dry and breaking hair. Read more about Reverse Hair Washing here.

7. Rosewater
One of the parts of my hair care routine is to wrap my hair in a Lilla Rose bamboo cotton hair towel. Much of my hair drying now is from the hair towel, then mostly air drying during the day, and styling with Lilla Rose hair clips, hairbands or bobby pins given my long bobbed hair cut. Even if I choose to blow dry, these other two items, the bamboo hair towel, and rosewater have been serving to protect my hair from excessive heat from the blow dryer. Rosewater spray is a natural heat protectant, made only from Bulgarian organic rose petals and collected through water hydrosol. The fragrance is light and like that of a rose still on the plant, for those of us who have scent aversions, and it quickly dissipates. There is nothing overpowering.

See all The Benefits of Rosewater On Hair And Skin.

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Rosewater: heat protectant and detangler

Here is to strong, healthy looking hair that grows strong at the root, just like self care in 2020.

Blessings,

Deb

Blessed is the one who is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither-whatever they do prospers. Psalm 1:1a & 3

Reflecting On The Every Day Beauty & Every Day Goodness In A Changing Season

It’s been a season for sure, and it’s good to be back! It is vendor show season again, and the busiest time of a retail person’s year. I am thrilled to be back at it, and at shows I had to cancel last November. I’m literally giddy with excitement. Tomorrow morning marks vendor event #3 for November! I spent many hours of my recovery in hopeful expectation that I would be able to face this month as normal! That I’m back at vendor shows is pretty remarkable giving the outcomes that I could have had after last fall’s diagnosis and myriad of other issues our family had in the six weeks leading up to my brain surgery.

In the past couple of months, as I’ve come up on one year of crisis overload, I’ve spent quite a bit of time reflecting on last fall’s traumatic diagnosis of a brain tumor that created gait imbalance conditions, facial paralysis, and single sided deafness. I’ve reflected also on a myriad of large and small things for which to be grateful since diagnosis day.

The Season is Changing.

It’s been one year, and the sensations of trauma and fear that the tumor was growing back weren’t far from the back of my mind. Last month it was confirmed that the large cavern in my brain created by the tumor and its eviction is still healing, and I’m going to need much more time to finish healing. What was also confirmed, though, is that the tumor is not growing back at this time. Maybe next fall I’ll be able to face the “trauma anniversaries” with a little less fear and trepidation!

After my surgery last November, I spent a few months using a walker and in therapy re-learning how to be steady on my feet, and adjusting to what being single sided deaf is like. In the months leading up to my “one year trauma date”, though, I’d already been back working at vendor shows, doing online work, had driven to New England to be with family for a wedding, preparing freezer meals for our fall homeschool schedule, and had attended a couple of the Lilla Rose Regional trainings. It felt good to be doing “normal” things again, even if all conditions are not back to full normal. While they may never be, I’m grateful at least for “more normal.”

I love that my youngest daughter can play with my hair again! I missed her gentle touch and her “creations.”

To distract myself from some of the fear and trepidation of “what ifs,” of my upcoming brain MRI and neurosurgeon follow up appointments, I’ve found myself “testing” what more I can do physically that is like my “old normal”, or to try things I’ve never done before. For instance, over the summer we kayaked and rowed a boat, and i did the paddling. I was so grateful not just to find out I’m still capable and love it, but I’m grateful that I get to do it again!

September rolled around, and we were at the apple farm where there is a zip line. Realizing I’ve been granted a second chance, as a person who has never zip lined, I signed the safety waiver, harnessed up, and zip lined for the first time in my life, even though I myself wondered if that was such a good idea! Feelings of not knowing where your head and body are in space because of an impaired vestibular system might make zip lining an inappropriate activity, and even my neurosurgeon was a bit surprised that I had tried it. But I did, and had fun, and probably would even do it again.

In October, the hubby and I took a weekend away. Sleepy Bear Dunes weren’t too far away, and I’ve never climbed the sand dunes. I chose the longest one, the one we hear is most difficult, and had I not run out of water, I believe i would have conquered those hills and miles of shifting sand. Running out of water and getting dehydrated is a real cause for concern for me, so alas, I was not able to finish, going only half way to the lake, despite my will and perseverance to go further. Sometimes wisdom has to win the day. At least now I can say I have climbed sand dunes, and I’m prepared to try again in the spring with extra water bottles on board, and with stronger physical muscles and well being.

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I know this season of my life is changing. My daughters are older, and while they’ve been doing vendor shows and Lilla Rose business with me, they are wanting to pursue other interests. One is graduating this year. Since I am not able to do much lifting and carrying, setting up for shows is going to be more difficult. Expect to see me with a more online presence, working with blogging and influencers. Expect to see me mentoring other women in business who are at home and working moms, who are homeschoolers, who are volunteers, who have chronic illnesses and trauma to overcome, or who are facing seasons of life changes.

I get it. All. I’m walking those seasons, trauma, and chronic illness.

It is all still Every Day Beauty and Every Day Goodness.

One of the most beautiful moments of my recovery, just days after surgery and still in the hospital, obviously not at my best and definitely at the hardest and lowest points of my life, a surprise visitor walked into my room.To say I was stunned would be an understatement.

The owner and CEO of Lilla Rose, developer of the flexi hair clip, flew from warm, sunny California to Chicago, drove 2.5 hours to my hospital room in Michigan in snow and cold to spend a few hours of an afternoon with me and my family. This was during the busiest month of his company’s selling season too. And then he drove back to Chicago to fly back to California. I will always be grateful for this sacrifice of his time and energy and resources. He talked business skills with my children over lunch, visited with my husband, and took their minds off one of the scariest times of their lives too. John Dorsey, owner/CEO of Lilla Rose, is proof of Every Day Beauty and Every Day Goodness. And maybe a little Every Day Crazy too.

Seasons change. Life is hard.

We can choose to live in fear, in failure, in staying stuck, or, we can choose overcoming in Hope and in pressing on. We can choose every day gratitude and goodness in seasonal changes and hardships. We can choose community and collaboration rather than isolation. We can choose celebration of accomplishment in reaching small goals. We can choose a different path or the other fork in the road.

I’d love for you to choose the Lilla Rose fork with me.

Until November 21st. Every Day Beauty with Lilla Rose is proof of more Every Day Goodness with Lilla Rose. There is added bonus to signing up this weekend, so if you’d like to chat with me about that benefit, leave me a comment or a message below.

This is not just a low risk opportunity.

It’s a high benefit, every day beautiful, every day good one, of which I’m grateful to be a part. I’m grateful for continued long range vision and plan with Lilla Rose.

Even as my seasons change, the road is long, the hill is steep, and the sands shift, I’m thankful for the second chances to continue moving forward.

I wonder what we’ll conquer next! I hope you’ll consider joining and growing with me!

Blessings,