A Must-Have Holiday Wellness Guide From BGV Medical Advisor
The holidays are here and full of family, food, travel, and a whole lot of hustle. And while this season can be joyful, it can also be exhausting on the mind and body. Between colder weather, shorter days, and packed schedules, many of us find ourselves feeling sluggish, stressed, or thrown off our usual routines.
And this year, there’s another reason to lock in your wellness early Black Friday is officially on at Black Girl Vitamins. It’s the biggest sale of the year and the perfect moment to stock up on wellness essentials for yourself (and maybe a friend or two).
Black Friday Savings You Don’t Want to Miss
The more you nourish, the more you save:
Spend $75 → Get 20% off
Spend $125 → Get 30% off
Spend $200 → Get 40% off
Whether you’re traveling, hosting, or trying to stay consistent through the chaos, this is your chance to load up on the staples that keep your body fueled, your mood steady, and your energy up all season long.
And to help you choose wisely, we tapped someone who truly understands what our bodies need during this time of year: BGV Medical Advisor, Dr. C. Nicole Swiner—family medicine physician, author, and wellness champion for Black women.
We asked Dr. Swiner what vitamins she recommends as non-negotiables for staying well through the holiday season. Her list is simple, practical, and rooted in what our community needs most.
Dr. Swiner’s Must-Have Holiday Vitamins
1. Once a Day
“Once a day, because we all need those daily nutrients and elements that we're not getting from our diets for basic needs.”
During the holidays, a lot of us are eating on the go, indulging in heavy meals, or skipping balanced plates altogether. A once-a-day multivitamin helps fill in those nutritional gaps—supporting immunity, energy, and daily function when life gets busy. Think of it as your baseline protection.
2. Vitamin D3
“Vitamin D3, goes without saying. The shorter, darker days make it even harder for those of us with melanin to keep our levels up. Helps with energy and seasonal affective disorder with mood elevation.”
Vitamin D is especially important for Black women because melanin naturally reduces the skin’s ability to absorb sunlight. In the fall and winter, when sunlight is limited, those levels can drop even lower. Low vitamin D is linked to fatigue, low mood, and weaker immunity. D3 gives your body the boost it needs to stay energized and balanced during the darker months.
3. Collagen Powder or Gummies
“Collagen powder or gummies, cold or rainy weather can cause pain and stiffness in those achy joints and the skin is dryer in the Fall and Winter. Collagen helps with moisture and movement in many places.”
When temperatures drop, joints can feel tighter, and skin can become dull or dry. Collagen supports joint comfort and skin hydration—helping your body stay flexible, moisturized, and glowing through the season.
Why This Vitamin Trio Matters for Black Women
The holiday season hits differently for us. Many Black women are caretakers, hosts, planners, and problem-solvers for everyone around them. It’s easy to put ourselves last. But these colder months bring real biological shifts:
- Less sunlight = lower Vitamin D levels
- Heavier foods = fewer nutrients
- Colder weather = more joint stiffness and dry skin
- Increased stress = lower immune support
Dr. Swiner’s three picks target energy, nourishment, mobility, and mood.
A Holiday Reminder from Dr. Swiner
Yes, vitamins matter, but so does rest, joy, hydration, movement, and setting boundaries. This season, give yourself permission to slow down, breathe, and care for your body the way you care for everyone else.
Ready to Give Yourself the Gift of Wellness?
Start strong. Stock up. Save big.
Black Friday won’t last, but your health will!