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It’s no secret that when the mercury drops, our mood tends to drop with it. Life for most of us is super busy, crammed with trying to run our own businesses and make money, caring responsibilities and work. And with the dark mornings and nights, it’s very easy to feel run down and more than a little overwhelmed by a never ending to do list. This is the natural reaction of our body to the winter months, when our immune systems are lower and we feel drained of energy. The good news is that you don’t have to go away and hibernate in order to feel better. There are some simple tricks you can try to raise your mood and keep your mental and physical health in check.

Dose Up On Light

A little known fact is that huge amounts of us suffer from Vitamin D deficiency during the winter months due to a lack of natural sunlight. Exposure to light helps our bodies to produce this which strengthens our bones and keeps us feeling happy. Compensate by investing in a device like a Lumie Clock. This helps to wake you up gradually in the mornings by mimicking a natural sunrise and exposing you to light calibrated to be like natural daylight. In addition, try to get outside and active at lunchtime by going for a walk. This helps to naturally lift your mood and reset the circadian rhythms, which are a natural sleep aid at night and can stop you feeling sluggish.

Up Your Supplements

Taking the right supplements can give you a huge boost at this time of year and help you combat the worst of the seasonal effects. Echinacea drops can strengthen the immune system and help you to avoid all the flu viruses that circulate at this time of year especially when paired with a daily dose of soluble Vitamin C. Our gut health is also massively important in keeping our overall physical and mental health in check, so try adding a probiotic supplement into your daily routine or including foods like kefir that are naturally fermented. If you struggle to get enough vegetables into your diet, a powdered green superfood solution can be added to juices, soups or smoothies to boost your intake. If you struggle with low moods or aching joints in the cold winter weather, a compound of CBD isolates can soothe you. And if you suffer from fatigue then rhodiola or Vitamin B12 could give you some relief.

Try Some Aromatherapy

The olfactory system is directly linked to the brain’s amygdala or emotional control centre, so studies have show that essential oils from plants have a function in reducing stress, enhancing mental focus and promoting relaxation. Dab lemon oil on your pulse points for an uplifting winter mood boost and try peppermint or bergamot to give mental clarity if you need to relax, then lavender is your best friend, in Epsom salts for a relaxing bath or using an electric aromatherapy diffuser – or simply by using a lavender pillow spray. Make your own custom oil blend to target how you feel and dab into lightbulbs or radiators in your home office to diffuse through the room.