The fall and winter seasons are full of conflicting emotions– fun holiday celebrations and traditions, as well as rising stress levels and seasonal depression. People with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) struggle to balance all of their work, family, and social responsibilities, and these feelings of seasonal depression are made worse by the lack of sunlight and Vitamin D. Here are some of our best tips on how to fight seasonal depression:
Make the most of natural sunlight.
There’s nothing more depressing than leaving for work before sunrise and leaving work after sunset. Not getting enough Vitamin D from natural sunlight depletes your body’s nutrient stores and can begin to directly impact your mental health, making it crucial to take advantage of the daytime hours. Whenever possible, go outside during work breaks, or rearrange your schedule to accommodate daytime walks. Even spending 10 minutes in the sun before going to work in the morning can help!
Use a lightbox after the sun sets.
If being outside during the day just isn’t possible for you, then we highly recommend utilizing light therapy via a lightbox. These devices are generally affordable and available on most large retail websites. How do they work? Lightboxes emit bright light that mimics natural sunlight and signals chemical reactions in the brain so that your body produces more serotonin, melatonin, and other mood-related hormones.
Don’t neglect daily exercise.
One of the best ways to fight seasonal depression is to manage stress. Prioritizing your mental health also requires taking care of your physical health, like eating nutrient-dense foods and getting in daily exercise. Breaking a sweat releases endorphins which naturally relieve tension and stress, giving your mood a boost along the way!
Maintain connections with friends and family.
Knowing how to fight seasonal depression starts with letting others support you. Isolation only makes it worse, and being around people who care about you will help you feel connected. The winter months can be a great time to introduce a family game night, a weekly movie night with friends, or even begin a book club or group workout class!
Get support with mood-boosting supplements.
Vitamin D is one of the best supplements you can take, not just during the winter but all year long. In fact, it’s one of the most common nutritional deficiencies in adults! Vitamin D is essential for immune function and bone health and even has an effect on your mood and mental health. You’ll often see Vitamin D3 paired with Vitamin K2, as both of these nutrients work together to benefit heart health.
Additionally, a supplement containing Ashwagandha can be very helpful in promoting cognitive function and stress management, and improve sleep quality and feelings of anxiety and depression. What is Ashwagandha? This herbal extract has been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and is well known for its ability to support the body’s natural immune and stress responses. We offer several Ashwagandha supplement options combined with other powerful antioxidants and ingredients to help balance mood.
Take a look at our online supplement store and get your Vitamin D3 5000 and browse our other pharmaceutical-grade products! More importantly, our staff would be happy to speak with you more about how to fight seasonal depression– don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions you may have!
