What to do about the Winter blues

Do the holidays and lack of sunlight have you feeling down this time of year? If you answered yes, you’re not alone!

I’ve had many patients tell me lately that combined with the chilly weather and gray skies, the recent time change has been really hard to deal with. And for some, the holidays can bring on loneliness, depression and stress.

Maybe you feel mentally and emotionally fatigued, lacking in motivation, just want to sleep and eat, and/or feel down because it’s dark when you commute to/from home and work everyday.

All of this makes sense. Vitamin D, produced in our bodies after exposure to sunlight, plays a role in regulating mood. The reduced sunlight in the Northern hemisphere this time of year really does impact how you feel. It’s not in your head. Seasonal Affect Disorder (SAD) is real.

So what can you do to keep from feeling down?

1. Get acupuncture! (You knew I was going to say this, right? ) Acupuncture helps regulate mood, balance hormones, and put your body into “rest and digest” mode, so you can really relax and feel a sense of balance & peaceful contentment.
2. Try a sunlamp. They’re most effective when you set it about 20 inches from your face and use it for 20-30 minutes in the morning. The idea is it mimics natural sunlight (without UV rays, so not the kind of light that gives you a tan). It gives your body the impression you’ve been out in the sun, which helps improve mood when used consistently.
3. Walk outside even when it’s cloudy. Get outside and get some natural light on your face, even if it’s not bright and sunny out. The combo of exercise and natural light helps improve mood. Even 10 minutes a day makes a difference!
4. Take a Vitamin D supplement to ensure you’re getting enough. I like vitamins that are made from real food (as opposed to synthetic ingredients), so I typically recommend New Chapter’s Fermented D3. This formula is highly absorbable and contains turmeric and reishi mushrooms (also good for stress). I have these at the clinic or you can order online from several sources. Of course, it’s best to advise your MD when starting any new supplements.
5. Be gentle with yourself this time of year. In Chinese medicine, the winter is a time to slow down, rest and sleep more, plus eat hearty, warm, nourishing foods. Basically, hibernation! So if you’re sleeping more and eating a bit more, remember that this is a natural part of your body’s rhythm for this time of year. If you don’t feel like doing a huge workout, for example, don’t be too hard on yourself!

Do you use any of these to manage your mood in the winter? I hope you do! Feeling down is no fun.

If you’d like to add acupuncture to help regulate your mood and transition with ease during Daylight Savings Time, you can click here to schedule an appointment.

And during the months of December and January, I offer some special incentives that make it a no brainer to give yourself a little love. Check your email for our December newsletter to get the details. If you haven’t already signed up for our monthly newsletter, sign up at the bottom of this page, or call to learn more about these specials.