Vitamin D & Emotional Resilience: The Sunlight We Often Forget

Jul 17
3 min read

Updated: Jul 19

We talk a lot about energy in Qigong—how to move it, protect it, and grow it. But one of the most underestimated allies in your emotional energy field is something you can’t bottle from within...

It’s the sunlight itself.

And what it gives us—Vitamin D—isn’t just about bones and immunity. It’s a mood-lifter, a spirit-stabilizer, and a powerful piece of the emotional resilience puzzle.

I recently learned just how much it affects my mood.

I hadn’t been outside much lately. Between working on my new website, managing projects for a construction company, and reviewing essays as an Evaluation Specialist for Scholarship America—I’ve been deep in screen-time mode, and short on sun-time.

And it came at a cost.

I started noticing it in my mood first. I was more irritable. Shorter with others than usual. Less patient. Less joyful.

So I started digging. Why was I feeling so unlike myself?

That rabbit hole led me to Vitamin D.

And then… it went deeper.

I discovered that Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to cognitive decline—including dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. That stopped me in my tracks.

My mother passed away from Alzheimer's. And suddenly, this wasn't just about mood anymore. It was about memory. Resilience. Longevity. Legacy.

Vitamin D isn’t the magic bullet—no single thing is. But it’s part of the picture. A big part. Especially for those of us with family history, high stress, and long winters. But, studies suggest that optimal Vitamin D levels may support cognitive function and reduce the risk of diseases like Alzheimer’s. It helps regulate calcium in the brain, reduces inflammation, and protects neurons—all essential for mental clarity and memory.

The Science: More Than a Vitamin

Let’s get this out of the way: Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin. It’s a hormone—a neurosteroid that binds directly to receptors in your brain, especially in areas that manage mood and emotion.

Here’s what it does when it’s in balance:

Helps your brain produce serotonin, the “feel-good” chemical
Reduces inflammation that contributes to depression, anxiety, and fatigue
Supports energy production at the cellular level—aka better Chi circulation
Helps regulate your circadian rhythm (hello, better sleep = better mood)

And here’s the kicker—most people don’t realize their low mood might be tied to low D.

The Energetic View: TCM + ChiFlow Perspective

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Vitamin D is deeply connected to:

Kidney Yang – your inner spark, the furnace of your Jing essence
Liver Chi flow – emotional movement, adaptability, vision
Shen (Spirit) – your clarity, brightness, and ability to connect with meaning

When your D is low, your inner fire dims. You might feel:

Unmotivated, even after rest
Emotionally “heavy” or withdrawn
Less inspired, more irritable
Like, your energy is stuck on “pause”

That’s not weakness—it’s a signal.

Symptoms That Might Point to Low Vitamin D

You feel better on sunny days, worse in winter
Your energy feels flat even after a good sleep
Emotions feel stuck or muted
Brain fog or low-grade sadness lingers without reason
You crave sun, warmth, movement—or just want to be left alone

What You Can Do Today

Here’s your ChiFlow Resilience Plan:

Test your Vitamin D levels (look for “25-Hydroxy Vitamin D” blood test)
Aim for 40–60 ng/mL – optimal for emotional well-being
Supplement smart:
- 1,000–2,000 IU/day of Vitamin D3
- Always take with K2 (MK-7) and magnesium
Sunlight therapy:
- 15–30 minutes daily
- Morning light on your skin and face (no sunscreen, no glass)
Eat your D:
- Eggs, salmon, sardines, mushrooms (UV-exposed if possible - yeah that's a thing!)
- Cod liver oil (bonus: contains A and omega-3s too)

Rituals for the Spirit

Morning Sun Qigong: Flow gently outside or near a window. Let the light hit your face. Inhale. Open.
Color Healing: Wear soft gold, coral, or plum to stimulate warmth and mood.

Journaling Prompt:

“How does light feel in my body today?”
“Where do I feel stagnant—and what would sunlight do there?”

Final Thought

Vitamin D may be invisible, but its absence speaks loudly. Mood is not a mystery—it’s a conversation between your body, your spirit, and the environment you live in.

Let the light in. Literally, let it warm your bones. Let it stir your chi. Let it soften the weight you didn’t realize you were carrying.

Want help tracking your energy and mood along with your Vitamin D? Download my Vitamin D & Emotional Resilience Guide below and start your journey toward brighter days—inside and out.