Winter Blues Got You Down? Here's How To Fight Back!
As a kid, the best things about winter were snow days and 2 hour delays! As an adult, the best thing about winter is.....spring.
Yes, winter activities are fun. Skiing, sledding, building snowmen are good times. But there's no debating the long dark frigid nights and short, cold days has an affect on us.
If you've been feeling a little down lately, you aren't alone and it's certainly not just unusual. Our bodies need sunlight to thrive and winter doesn't exactly lend itself to hanging out at the beach or going for a nice long walk.
But there is hope!
How To Beat The Winter Blues
Although we can't do much about the weather, we can make lifestyle changes to help us feel better. Below is a list of tips you can try to let Old Man Winter know who is boss.
1. Exercise - They say summer bodies are made in the winter but equally as important is the ability of exercise to help us feel good. Sure, it might be slightly uncomfortable at times but exercise releases feel good hormones that improve our mood dramatically. Move your body every day and if possible do it outside. Be on the lookout for spontaneous smiles.
2. Get In The Sun - One of the biggest contributors of seasonal depression is the lack of sunlight. Our bodies need sun to help our bodies build Vitamin D. Low levels of vitamin D has been linked to low mood and symptoms of depression. On those sunny days, do your best to get outside and let the sun hit your face (even if it's cold). Tip: The winter months are a great time to supplement your diet with Vitamin D. You can check out our K2 & D3 by clicking here
3. Eat More Fish - It's long been known that fish oil helps with heart disease and brain health but did you know it also helps in the reduction of symptoms of depression? Eating a fatty fish, i.e. Salmon, twice a week is a good place to start. Not making that happen? Try supplementing with a high quality Fish Oil. You can check ours out here.
4. Be Complex - Usually simplicity wins but when we are talking about the winter blues, B complex vitamins are key. These vitamins help convert proteins in your diet to neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine that help improve your mood. B Vitamins are available in foods like beef, poultry, tuna, organ meats and dark leafy green vegetables. Here's something interesting, B12 is not available as a vegetable source so vegetarians/vegans will need to supplement.
One more thing, you need the entire B complex for this to work properly. Deficiencies in any of the B vitamins will decrease results. A good multivitamin should cover your daily B complex needs. You can check out our Total ultravitamin at the links. For Men For Women
5. Drink Up - It may sound unusual but those who drink more water typically experience less depression and anxiety. Studies show that even slight dehydration leads to a decrease in our mood. Aim for at least 64 ounces of water. For best results try drinking 1/2 ounce of water per pound of body weight. For example, a 150 lb person should drink at least 75 oz of water a day.
Feeling down during the winter months is not unusual and making the right lifestyle choices can go a long way in helping us win each day. Try the steps above and better days are right around the corner.
Need some more help? Join our 3 Pillars Coaching group for free. You can check it out and request access by clicking here
Our Pillar of Wellness package is the perfect solution to a long, cold winter. With everything mentioned above plus our Greens Superfood Nourish) and Immune Support (Boost) it has everything you need to combat Old Man Winter. Click on the picture below to check it out.
