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How to stay uplifted over the dark winter months
So we have come to that time of year again! The days are getting darker and colder, and the daylight is fading away. It’s dark when we wake up in the morning and often dark when we leave work. For many of us this change can naturally lower our mood, energy levels and immune system. Here are my top 5 tips to stay at your best over the winter months..
Use a sunrise alarm
I have never been a morning person, but the winter mornings especially have always been a real struggle for me. Constantly hitting snooze, and struggling to prize myself out of my comfy bed, and often feeling tired and groggy all morning - until about 3 years ago when I discovered sunrise alarms. Sunrise alarms mimic the subtle light and colour changes of sunrise allowing you to wake naturally as if the sun were rising. Having mine has made a dramatic difference to how I wake up and my energy throughout the morning, and I often wake up before my alarm from the light alone. I use a Lumie Bodyclock Alarm and its fantastic!
Get more rest
During the winter our bodies naturally slow down. The longer, brighter days of summer amp up our mood, metabolism, and energy levels. The shorter, darker winter days slow us down, often making us feel more inward or even depressed. We feel like we want to hibernate more (netflix and chill!) rather than be out exploring and adventuring like we do in summer. It’s important to listen to our bodies at this time and give it the extra rest it needs. Try going to bed a bit earlier, and if you have to cancel a night out because you would rather be curled up on the sofa, do it!
Use essential oils
Aromatherapy is an amazing and easy way to boost mood and energy levels during the winter. You can make yourself up a blend of oils with a carrier oil (such as Grapeseed or Sweet Almond) to massage into pulse points. The oils will enter the bloodstream and start working their magic. Or you can make an uplifting bath, use an oil burner or spritz around your home, car or workplace whenever you need a pick me up. My favourite oils to uplift and balance during the winter are – Grapefruit, Basil, Ylang Ylang, Sweet Orange, Rose Geranium, Bergamot and Eucalyptus. I particularly like using our Recharge Room & Linen Mist and Aches & Pains Himalayan Bath Salts over the winter months.
Take a Vitamin D supplement
With darkness descending before we’ve even left work, getting enough vitamin D can be a challenge. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus and strengthening bones, improving brain development and reducing inflammation. A Vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself in the form of many common health conditions, such as constant coughs and colds, tiredness and fatigue, seasonal affective disorder, poor bone and tooth health and low mood. Public Health England recommend that adults and children should consider taking 10mcg of Vitamin D daily, especially over the autumn and winter months, as you can read here. This should also go alongside a healthy and balanced diet.
Eat healthy comfort foods
When its cold, wet and dark outside our bodies need extra nourishment to stay healthy and fight of colds and flus. Now definitely isn’t the time to curb your eating, and often our bodies crave warm hearty food to nourish and satisfy us. Think warming, spiced, satisfying dishes like soups and stews to fight off the cold, and include plenty of root vegetables, greens and complex carbs. Drink plenty of rejuvenating teas too, especially lemon, ginger and anything spicy like cinnamon and nutmeg.
I hope you have enjoyed these tips. If you have anything to add that really helps, please comment below, I would love to hear your thoughts!