Winter is almost upon us! But for those of us living in colder climates, it may seem that winter has already started and sometimes it can have us feeling a little down. Here we break down five simple ways to beat the winter blues before it even starts!

1. Eat a healthy, balanced diet

Eating well by maintaining a healthy diet throughout the winter is one of the simplest ways to combat the cold-weather blues. The old adage “you are what you eat,” especially applies during the winter months when you may be craving heartier, more sumptuous dishes. Although it can be tempting, avoid unhealthy foods as much as possible and instead fuel your body with nutrient-rich, whole foods that provide energy throughout the day. Aim for a mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and complex carbohydrates to help stave off the winter blues.

2. Get outside

Get a daily dose of fresh air (and vitamin D from the sun depending on where you live) by exploring the great outdoors during winter. 

Unfortunately, the lack of sunshine and shorter days that come along with winter can have many of us feeling down. The good news is that a little fresh air and sunshine can go a long way in lifting your spirits.  

Stuck inside all day? Make sure you have plenty of natural light coming through a window or, if possible, take a brisk walk outdoors on your lunch hour.

3. Get social – and we don’t just mean online

The temptation to sit at home under a blanket can be exceptionally high during the winter months. Fight the urge to isolate yourself and get social. After all, friends, family, and co-workers are the best pick-me-ups.

4. Visit your healthcare professional

If depression throughout the winter is a common occurrence, you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). SAD is a form of depression that is related to the changes in seasons, with symptoms beginning in the fall and continuing throughout the winter. Symptoms can be mild or more severe and are characterized by a lack of energy, sadness, or moodiness.

If you feel you may have SAD, visit a healthcare professional who will walk you through available options so that you can stay healthy and feel your best.

5. Consider Supplements

In an ideal world, we would always have time to eat a nutrient-rich diet, composed of varied foods brimming with everything your body needs. However, this can be hard to accomplish consistently.

We live busy, active, stressful lives that limit the time we have to plan and prepare well-balanced, nutritious meals. Some of us have nutrient deficiencies due to special dietary needs, health conditions, time of the year, time of the month, and so on.

Depending on what nutrients we may lacking in our diets, many of us can benefit from a basic supplement regimen. It’s always good practice to make sure your supplements are third-party certified, so you know they are safe, effective, and made with quality ingredients.

Not sure which supplements you might need? Talk to your healthcare practitioner for a personalized recommendation.

Try incorporating any or all of these simple suggestions during the winter. Let us know how they have helped you, and let us know what ideas you have that other people can use to beat the winter blues.