My mother was a sun follower. On a summer morning, her folding chair could be found on the front sidewalk, facing east. By evening, she would move the chair to the backyard, its seat positioned to face west. She was exposed to light most of the day, as her home has been designed with the incorporation of plenty of light. Possessed of the motherly wisdom that, “You kids should get outside and get some vitamin D,” she took her own advice. 

Did we children know what she meant? Not really. But there was never a day over summer break when my mother didn’t murmur that phrase. Nowadays, I follow that same lead. At least once in the morning, and once during the afternoon, I take my break and sit outside. Working from home, I also am afforded the time to eat lunch outside as well.

How do we get our vitamin D, and what else can the sun do for us?

Vitamin D and Windows

First, it’s important to dispel the myth about absorbing vitamin D through windows. Despite how good we feel when we see the sun shining through the glass or feel the warmth on windowpanes in wintertime when its low rays poke through, we simply do not gain any benefit from the sun through glass.

It is important to spend time outside. How much is enough to keep up our vitamin D production?

Mom’s Advice Matters

It’s long been proven that older adults need to monitor their vitamin D stores. They are less active and therefore outside less frequently, too. In a study published for the National Institute of Healthstudy published for the National Institute of Health, researchers in Sweden looked at whether increased encouragement to spend time outdoors and “get some sun” would help increase participants’ vitamin D as well as their positive mindset.

In Scandinavian countries, one can imagine trying to absorb enough sun throughout the year might be a little like in New England. The days are shorter and colder because of its northern proximity. Forty participants, aged 65 and older, living in a senior home setting participated in the Swedish study. The study objectives state, “The intervention group was encouraged to go outside for 20-30 minutes between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. every day for two months during the summer of 2018.” The control group was simply left to their own devices.

The study results showed that vitamin D levels and mental health increased for the intervention group, but for the control group there was no significant change.

Mom was right. A few minutes outside sunbathing isn’t too much to ask. Find a favorite chair that’s easy to move around and boost your intake of vitamin D and possibly a little relaxation, too.