As the months are growing colder...it's time to get outside MORE. With all the sickness going around, I don't hear a lot of prescriptions for some fresh air and sun? An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure they say and a ton of sleep! It's no secret that a lot of people lack vitamin D.  We see all kinds of orange juices and drinks claiming to have extra vitamin D...but the research reflects the body does not absorb these as easily as the free kind...natural sunlight!

My daughter's needs are totally dependent upon myself and my husband...for better or worse. We control what she eats...when she bathes...what she wears...when she is layed down to sleep...and how often she gets outside. She is not old enough to tell us...so it's up to me to take initiative and give her growing body what it needs.

Getting outside in the fresh air..is one of the body's best defenses against sickness. If you think about the fact that our body is made up of millions of cells that need oxygen...and sunlight...it really does make sense.  I have to make an effort to try to get Abigail out each day...even if it's just for a walk around the yard on a day that's not so pleasant.  Not only does the fresh air boost her mood...but also makes for great nap sessions. Many parents know if their child is fussy...step outside for a few minutes..and watch the transformation. I am always amused how quickly she is distracted and forgets what she was upset about.

She was a March baby...when the days and nights still have quite a chill. After a few weeks old...we would bundle her up snug and take her for walks...just so she could get natural sunlight...and air out her lungs. We too needed to clear our minds and get out of the house as well. Now that she is a bit older and has better control of her body temperature...I am sure to crack her windows at night..to allow air to circulate and keep the room fresh. On a occasional night when the temps drop below freezing, I reluctantly leave them closed...but otherwise it's a go.

My husband thought I was nuts when we were first married and I would crack our bedroom window in January. He would say you do realize it's such and such degrees outside.  However, the nights we would leave the window closed...would be the mornings we would wake up feeling congested and less mentally and physically refreshed.  It's no longer an issue...but just a way of life.

Growing up...I had the best air flow in the house. Windows on both sides meant always a summer breeze. Come winter..the thermostat was set very low and windows were cracked.  Even now..if the window is closed..I will sometimes wake up in the middle of the night feeling like the room is stuffy. This is especially so if we stay somewhere where we cannot open the windows..or it's not done in the home. It's just a matter of fact...I sleep more soundly with a little fresh air circulating. It's not even a mental choice..it is what it is.

If you think about the idea though...that when you rest...you body is re-booting itself over a 6-8 hour stretch...that is lot of time to be in one room without air moving. For my little one..it's 11-12 hour stretch. Yes there are air filtration systems and purifiers...all good...but it still can't compare with the true thing. Being I live in an area that's not in the middle of a busy city, I want to be sure to take advantage of the fresh air...because not only is it free...but it's something our body needs to function at its best.