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Boosting your vitamin D levels
Try out new things
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Back home you probably take the car everywhere, but while on holiday most of us find we do far more walking as we have time to spare and there are always interesting places to discover.
Research shows the benefits of walking for just 20 minutes a day are equal to those of not smoking – reducing your risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes, as well as lowering your risk of several cancers.
■ KEEP IT UP Set the alarm and make a commitment to walk as part of your morning routine – for instance, walking the kids to school is an easy way to boost the whole family’s daily step quota.
At weekends, start exploring the area you live in – every town has some hidden gems that you’ll miss out on if you always drive. Find a detailed local map and visit your council website to uncover parks and other places of interest you never knew were there. A week in sunny Spain – or even Ireland thanks to this summer’s heatwave – will have increased your vitamin D levels significantly.
This vital nutrient is produced when sunlight hits your skin and, according to the latest research, it can help protect your heart, ward off depression and boost immunity.
However, up to 50% of Britons become deficient in this nutrient over the winter, which is why official government advice now recommends we take a daily vitamin D supplement of at least 10mcg during the colder months.
■ KEEP IT UP Make sure you keep your D levels topped up once the weather worsens with a good quality supplement. Evidence suggests oral spray vitamins are easier for the body to absorb. Try Healthspan Elite Vitamin D3 Spray
4000iu (healthspan.co.uk). Whether it’s scuba diving, salsa dancing, or just learning a few words of the local lingo, we’re generally more open to new experiences on holiday – and this is good news when it comes to keeping our minds healthy, active and
young.
Research shows the brain is hardwired to respond positively to novel activities which stimulate the frontal lobes – the part of the brain most susceptible to ageing if not exercised regularly. ■ KEEP IT UP Continue this bolder attitude back home, whether it’s trying a tasty new cuisine, starting a dance class or learning a new skill you’ve always fancied. One sunn tradi
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