With the winter storms beating down on much of the country, driving temperatures below zero and forcing everyone to stay inside, it’s easy to feel like the winter blues have fully taken hold. But the winter blues (also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder) don’t have to bring you down.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that’s tied to the change in seasons in people with normal mental health. SAD is generally caused by the lack of sunlight and reduced activity prevalent during the depths of the winter season, which can mess with your circadian rhythm and make you feel more tired than usual. If you seem to feel tired, moody and sapped of energy as soon as the days shorten, you may suffer from SAD. While it may feel like you’re never going to be able to enjoy the outdoors again, there are many steps you can take to help combat the winter blues and feel just as sunny as a summer day.
Exercise
Exercise and other regular physical activity can boost endorphin production, relieving the stress and anxiety that can build up during the long, winter months. Even if it’s just the gym, as little as 30 minutes a day of exercise can help you beat the winter blues (and get you ready for bikini season!).
Light Therapy
Light therapy, either in the form of an indoor light box or exposure to sunlight does wonders for helping reset your circadian rhythm and helping stave off the symptoms of winter depression. If you can’t afford a light box, even opening your blinds to let more sunlight in during the day or taking a brisk walk for a few minutes outside can help make you feel better.
Vitamin D
80 to 90% of the Vitamin D that the body gets is through sunlight exposure, so when we’re stuck indoors, we lose out on this important vitamin that supports bone, cardiovascular and immune health, among other things. If you can’t make it outside, it might be important to take a Vitamin D supplement to help prevent a depressed mood. Try Innate Response’s Vitamin D 5,000 capsules for a high-potency, whole-food blend of Vitamins D and K, or Genestra’s D-Mulsion 1,000 for a great-tasting and easy-to-take liquid.
Supplements
If you can’t hit the gym, or your winter blues are just too much for a sunny walk outside, it might be helpful to try the following supplements to help boost brain function and mood:
- Mood Response by Innate Response: Mood Response provides a blend of the most powerful supportive and well researched botanicals to promote optimal mental and emotional health.
- 5-HTP by Pharmax: 5-HTP is a direct precursor to seratonin, and can help balance mood and support sleep during the short days.
- Melatonin Spray by ReadiSorb: This liposomal form of Melatonin allows for higher absorption to help regulate mood and sleep.
- SAMe by Metabolic Maintenance: This supplement can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue.
- Finest Pure Fish Oil by Pharmax: This great-tasting fish oil is a great source of Omega-3 Fatty Acids, which are great brain health support and may help alleviate symptoms of depression.
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