Seasonal depression, winter blues, and low mood and energy brought on by darkening days of dwindling sunlight is something very common. Most people feel better with a healthy dose of sunlight, and I’m adamant that everyone feels better with outdoor time. As a kid, I avoided the sun, likely something to do with photosensitivity and headaches connected to Ehlers Danlos Syndrome complications, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to need the sun in a different way. I love living in Paris, and even look forward to the drizzly autumn and winter months that host weeks of grey skies. Aesthetically it’s poetic, but what it does to my body is slightly less so. I’ve put together a list of tricks and treatments that have helped my body stay strong while still embracing the eerie beauty of the winter months.
TRICKS TO COMBAT WINTER BLUES AND SEASONAL DEPRESSION
Vitamin D: One of the main reasons people get sick in winter is less sunlight > less vitamin D production (this vitamin is synthesised externally via food and sunlight in the liver) > weakened immune function and hormone function (including mood hormones). Vitamin D is one of the most crucial vitamins for our body’s defenses and it’s not easy to find this vitamin in food. Up your vitamin D intake naturally by eating more fatty fish, codfish liver oil, and mushrooms. Immune issues? Check your vitamin D levels, especially if afflicted with chronic illnesses like Ehlers Danlos Syndrome that can come with absorption issues.
Magnesium and trace minerals: Up your trace mineral and magnesium intake in winter. These minerals found in increasingly lower quantities in food play a crucial role in production of mood hormones. Magnesium deficiency has shown a proven connection with depression. So eat more dark chocolate, nuts, dark green leafy plants, seafood/shellfish, and look into trace mineral supplements.
Sunrise alarm clock: These clocks replicate the rising sun in the morning over a gradual time period. It allows “wake up hormone” production to manifest naturally and smoothly and can apparently make a big difference in months when we don’t have sunlight streaming through our windows.
Sun Lamp: This is another way to help the body synthesise vitamin D and happiness hormones while the sun is hibernating. The idea is to sit in front of the sun-ray replicating light to help balance winter-induced imbalances.
Biomat: The infrared technology in these deeply healing heating pad was originally developed by NASA to help astronauts cope with long periods in space away from sunlight. The infrared heat generated from the Biomat replicates the safe rays of the sun and in turn releases endorphins and gives a feeling of well being. This tool has been indispensable in treating my chronic pain, but I would recommend it to anyone who feels the need for such cozy, warm, comfort during the cold winters.
Yoga at home: One of the big problems with winter is that we get out less. We move less, energy stagnates, hormones become imbalanced and energy and mood can drop. Going to the gym is great, and try to get out and walk every day even on the colder ones, but integrating stretching, yoga, pilates at home moves into your routine can be transformative. I’m talking about something around the lines of 10 minutes in the morning, 5 minutes before bed, and maybe a short routine after work. It’s really about integrating a daily routine and just keeping your body moving throughout the day, especially when sitting behind a desk for hours at a time. Exercise and movement like this boosts hormone production, endorphins, and helps stabilise cortisol levels and boosts energy levels.
Make cozy: The concept of the cozy winter home went “viral” when Danish and Swedish winter comfort aesthetics, like hygge, started trending, but it really does make a different. Fill your home with comforting lighting, comfy pillows, drink warming teas, wear soft pyjamas, take calming baths or essential oil infused showers… these little rituals can make a huge difference on a day to day basis.
At home spa: Bring up the cozy factor with some self-care and turn your bathroom into an at home spa with this witchy beauty rituals.
Warming teas: Drink teas, lattés, nut milks, and turmeric milk infused with warming spices like ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, chilli pepper, black pepper and the like. These Ayurvedic spices help to warm the body, get the blood flowing, boost immunity and lift spirits.
Get outside!: Just because it’s dark and cloudy doesn’t mean parks and forests can’t still be enjoyed. Make a point to get out into nature as much as possible, even on the dreariest of days (perhaps especially on such days…).
