Top 5 Ways to Curb Your Seasonal Blues NOW
For many people this time of year energy and mood drops. Putting in energy seems hard when your energy is already low, but it will help give you the conviction to know that you will harvest much more energy and increased mood from making the push and doing things that will make the difference.
You'll keep a smile on your face, and in turn those around you will too.
#5 Light a Candle:
Candles have an uplifting quality, and some have an uplifting scent as well. Just make sure to use candles with non-toxic ingredients. Dr. Lara recommends beeswax, which has a naturally pleasant scent, or soy or palm wax. Paraffin candles release several known carcinogens into the air when burned. Make sure to practice fire safety!
#4 Swap Bulbs for Full Spectrum Light
"Happy Lights" are full spectrum lights that mimic sunlight and are shown to improve mood for people with Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can also get full spectrum bulbs to replace other bulbs (just a tip, turn the full spectrum lights off at least a couple hours before bed). they are not the only way to boost your mood with light...
#3 Seek out the Sunshine
Your best strategy is to simply get more sunlight. Here are a few ways how:
Open the ALL the blinds and sit near windows when inside. Look out the window often.
Wake up earlier. Currently sunrise is at 7AM and it starts getting light 1/2 hour before that. If you're sleeping in past 6:30 a.m., you're missing out on precious daylight!
Get outside. This will make the biggest difference. Getting out from under the roof and into the elements will have a noticeable impact on your mood because you're getting the most direct sunlight you will get. Plus the fresh air will do wonders. Build a walk or run into your daily routine. Get the right clothes and start the plans now to revive or pick up a new winter sport that will keep you outside all winter long.
#2 Take Vitamin D
In the sun our body naturally creates this immune- and mood-boosting vitamin, but when the angle of the sun changes, and with less skin showing in the colder weather just about everyone in our part of the world is likely to be deficient, especially with how much we now work indoors. Dr. Lara suggests a supplementation of a minimum of 2000 IU in the winter. Make sure to use a quality supplement, and avoid unnecessary fillers. Don’t compromise quality by getting cheap supplments. Members and friends of Dr. Lara's community can get quality brands for 20% off retail at her dispensary at wellevate.me/optimize.
#1 Movement and Exercise
When your mood and energy start getting low, the last thing you want to do is get up, get out, and start moving your body, but nothing will have a bigger impact on your mood and energy. Do the exercise outside and double the benefits! Here's a tip. If you're not feeling motivated to do it, just make yourself put on the clothes. Tell yourself you don't have to do the workout, but you do have to put on the workout clothes and shoes, or jacket, boots and gloves. You'd be surprised how often doing the rest is easy once you've gone that far.
CHIROPRACTIC CARE is a necessity to make sure you feel free in your body, uplifted in your mood, and certain that there are no blockages in your spine and nerve system. Make sure you stay on track with your visits, or schedule an initial consult if you haven't been in yet so we can see if chiropractic care is a good fit for you.
You are worth your wellbeing.