05 Jan Natural Ways to Boost Your Mood This Winter
The holidays are through, your social calendar has slowed, but it’s still dark and cold outside. The time between the excitement of the holidays and the first signs of spring can be difficult to bear.
During winter months some people experience low moods similar to depression, finding it harder to get out of bed, shake that sluggish feeling and get through the day. But there are some simple strategies that you can employ to help you fight the winter slump and get that jump back in your step.
Avoid Sugar and Gluten
The winter months leave you craving foods high in fats, carbohydrates and sugar. While these “comfort foods” are comforting, they will spike your blood sugar then ultimately leave you feeling more tired, moody and bloated than before.
Instead, try to eat a diet high in plant proteins, like vegetables, nuts and beans and fruits. These foods are not only lower in saturated fats and sugars, they are packed with vitamins, minerals and protein to help restore your energy levels.
Get Moving
When you just want to stay snuggled up in bed, the last thing you want to do is to head outside and get active. But the endorphins, or feel-good chemicals, released during exercise can do amazing things to boost your mood and energize your day.
Exercise also strengthens the immune system, and helps you maintain a healthy weight. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week.
Get Ample Rest
Reduced sunlight during winter months can disrupt your body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm. Shortened daylight hours in winter can alter this natural rhythm and lead to a disruption in moods, energy levels and ability to sleep.
Aiming for seven to eight hours of sleep each night will help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready for your day.
Try Red Light Therapy
Among many other benefits, red light therapy has been proven to boost serotonin and dopamine levels thus lifting your mood and enhancing mental wellbeing. Studies have shown that bright red light has also been shown to decrease anxiety, pain and heart rate, and boost cognition.
Take Vitamin Supplements
Vitamin D is thought to play a role in serotonin activity. When days become shorter, people are naturally exposed to fewer UV rays, which are necessary to convert Vitamin D into its active form in the body. Limited sunlight can lead to a vitamin D deficiency, in this case, taking a high-quality supplement may be necessary.
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Specialized supplements like Mood Boost are formulated to support mood and brighten your mental outlook. It includes amino acid precursors and bioactive nutrients that support healthy levels of neurotransmitters such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine and epinephrine. These are vital components for regulating mood, appetite, memory, focus, energy levels and a healthy sleep cycle.
Get Chiropractic Care
By realigning and balancing the body, a chiropractor also realigns and balances a person’s body chemistry. When a chiropractor does an adjustment, the body releases endorphins, like dopamine, that naturally make a person happier. Plus, chiropractic care can also help relieve stress and help promote a better night’s sleep.
To book an appointment call us at:
New Holland Office: 717-351-0631
Quarryville Office: 717-806-5672
If your symptoms are severe or persist into warmer weather, talk to a healthcare professional so they can run labs and use a root-cause approach. Cavallo Health has a team of functional medicine and integrative health practitioners that can look deep into your health and health history to uncover any underlying causes of the symptoms that you may be experiencing.
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