Citrus Self-Care Season: Unexpected Ways Vitamin C Can Elevate Your Wellness

When most people think of vitamin C, the first thing that comes to mind is its role in fighting off a cold during the colder months. And while vitamin C is a great resource to have during cold and flu season, it is so much more than that. As an important component of optimal health and a powerful nutrient, vitamin C can help elevate your wellness in a variety of ways. 

As the semester winds down, remember that wellness isn’t limited to avoiding sickness; it's about showing up as your best self, inside and out. Vitamin C is one of those nutrients that works quietly in the background but impacts and shows up everywhere. 

Getting Vitamin C So You Can Catch ZZZ’s 

If your sleep schedule has been a little off lately, chances are, your body needs some vitamin C. Upping your vitamin C intake can improve your sleep quality, with studies showing people who have an increased dietary vitamin C routinely sleep better.

Stress Support That Hits Different 

Stress can add up in college, so finding ways to manage it becomes crucial. Vitamin C helps regulate cortisol, our body's main stress hormone. Getting enough of this vitamin can help your body better manage those high-pressure moments that the end of the semester brings. 

Energy That Lasts All Day  

Feeling constantly drained and mentally exhausted? It may not be something rest can fix, but vitamin C can help. This vitamin helps the body absorb iron more efficiently, which supports energy production. This is more than the quick fix caffeine gives; it can last you all day, so you can get your work done. 

Adding something extra to your meal regimen can seem overwhelming, but including vitamin C in your routine is much easier than you think. Try:

• Opting for orange juice with your meal.

• Stopping by the Renew and Refresh station in the dining hall to grab a cup of lime- or lemon-infused water.

• Choosing smoothies or juices with citrus fruits.

• Include broccoli or Brussels sprouts on your plate. 

  
  

Wellness doesn’t have to look like a big lifestyle change; sometimes it looks like simple, consistent choices that elevate your plate. This season, let vitamin C be your secret weapon to staying healthy.