Beat the Winter Blues

 

More than 20 million people in the United States suffer from what we sometimes call the "winter blues." Many more of us experience some of the moods associated with it to some degree or another. Signs may include lack of energy, moodiness, sadness, and lack of motivation. As winter approaches, be prepared to combat this seasonal distress. There are lots of things you can do to fight the winter blues, keep your spirits up, and your energy level high. Here are a few tips:

   

Exercise Regularly

Regular exercise is common in the warmer months of the year. Exposure to the sun, outside air, and increased circulation associated with outside activity help keep us happy and healthy. In the winter, most people have a tendency to sit inside and lead a more sedentary life because it's cold. This negatively affects a person's health as their heart rate stays low, circulation gets sluggish, and they spend too much time exposed to allergens indoors.  If the sun is out, get out and enjoy it, even if you have to wrap up a bit.

Consider spending some time each week shoveling snow, going for a brisk walk, or going to a gym to keep your body active. If you do have to be indoors, maintain an exercise routine that may include video or TV exercise programs, weightlifting and stretching.  An active intimate life as well as time with friends and family are also helpful.  Regular activity through the winter helps to regulate mood and keep hormones in balance.

 

Try Natural Supplements

There are plenty of readily available natural remedies to help fight off winter blues and stabilize moods. As an added bonus, these natural supplements come without dangerous side effects. Check out a few options available from Western Botanicals:

• St. John's Wort: This is a natural herb with yellow flowers. Available in either capsule or tincture, this herb is believed to work by allowing more serotonin to linger in the brain. Some people even use the cut herb to make a soothing tea.

• Earth's Nutrition: Nutrition is always important. As you seek to increase energy and vitality, try this formula full of organically grown whole foods and super-foods. It is specifically formulated to supply you with natural food sources of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, enzymes, and essential trace nutrients.

• Rhodiola Root: Rhodiola root goes by a lot of different names including Golden Root and Arctic Root. This herb can enhance vitality, improve mood, and generally help people to feel better and feel happier. 

• Nerve Calm Formula: Nerve-calm formula is a Western Botanicals original formula designed to help reduce stress and anxiety. Being calm and less anxious are key to improving a person's health through the winter and staving off seasonally affected mood. 

• Ginseng: The ginseng family has been long-known for providing energy and vitality. Some types of ginseng reduce fatigue while others help reduce stress. Western Botanicals offers a Ginseng-Plus Formula that combines a variety of different types of ginseng to give people the full benefits of the ginseng family.   

• Peppermint: Peppermint is an essential oil known for increasing energy. On the days where you are feeling sluggish or low on energy, try peppermint oil. It boosts awareness and energy levels naturally and is side-effect free to provide the boost you need to stay active and productive despite the winter weather. Apply peppermint essential oil to the back of the neck and shoulders throughout the day to keep energy up.

   

Find a Winter Activity

Another great way to fight off seasonal sadness is to find a reason to love the winter. Take up a winter activity that has you looking forward to the winter months in the same way you look forward to the summer months. Skiing, snowboarding, sledding, snow-shoeing, ice skating...the possibilities are endless. Find something you love to do, introduce your friends to it, and learn to love the season. A favorite pursuit will help you stay active and produce the right brain chemicals to keep "the blues" out of your life.

   

So yes, winter is coming--there's not a lot we can do about that. But we can do a lot about how it affects us. Don't forget to stay active, find a natural mood-boosting, or energy-boosting supplement to add to your diet, and find an activity to help you love the season.

Source site: Western Botanicals