Adjusting to life during a pandemic means facing new health problems. Whether it’s through food or dietary supplements, here are four ways to counter the negative effects of staying indoors.

Boost Your Mood With Vitamin D 
Studies have shown that optimal levels of vitamin D are linked to regulating serotonin levels, the hormone associated with happiness and well-being. If your mood is low from being stuck at home the whole day, it could be attributed to a lack of vitamin D. Although sunlight is the best source of this vitamin, an alternative is taking supplements or eating more vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish and whole milk.Sleep Soundly With Melatonin
If you haven’t been sleeping well lately, it might be because you are spending too much time indoors. A lack of exposure to daylight can disrupt your circadian rhythm, affecting the quality and duration of your sleep. If you’re looking for a natural remedy, taking one to three milligrams of melatonin two hours before bed can help you fall asleep more easily. Eating foods rich in melatonin — such as nuts, milk and cereals — has been shown to help as well.Feel Energised With Iron 
Contrary to what you may think, staying home all day can actually make you feel more tired than being outdoors. Studies have shown that light exposure is linked to feelings of vitality. Thus, being indoors during daytime can lead to you feeling tired and lethargic. Taking iron supplements or incorporating more iron into your diet can help to boost your energy levels, especially since low iron levels, although common among people, often go unnoticed. Foods such as legumes, shellfish and spinach are the richest in iron.Build Your Immunity With Vitamin C 
Among its many benefits, sun exposure can increase your body’s immune response against infection and disease. During a pandemic, having a strong immune system is more important than ever. To make up for the lack of sunlight because we prefer staying home to avoid the COVID-19 virus, vitamin C is the next best immune booster. You can easily incorporate more vitamin C into your diet through foods such as citrus fruits, broccoli and potatoes. Otherwise, vitamin C tablets are a convenient substitute that are just as effective.

For more easy ideas on how to improve your immunity, refer to our other article — ‘Kitchen Staples That Improve Immunity’ — by clicking here.