Banish the winter blues

As sun deprivation prevails, an overall gloomy outlook on life often creeps in over many of us. Whilst the majority take this mood shift with a grain of salt, for others it may mean irritability, weight gain, social withdrawal, “carb” cravings and even feelings of despair.

So what can we do to help make things more bearable? A healthy diet, regular exercise and utilising some natural wonders may all help brighten up your mood this winter. 

The Serotonin link

Studies have shown that lack of sunshine and constant exposure to dim light cause a decrease in our “feel good” neurotransmitter serotonin, which explains the dull mood that engulfs some of us over winter. Eating foods high in protein may help provide the building blocks for this important neurotransmitter. 5-HTP, the precursor to serotonin, may be another easy way to help us balance our “feel good” hormones. Radiance^® offers a range of high quality 5-HTP products including SeroTone™ 5-HTP, SeroTone™ Sleep and SeroTone™ Relax, all providing 20mg-50mg of 5-HTP.

“Wintery mood” vitamins

Whilst we all know that B vitamins are for stress, another great use for this group of nutrients is to help improve energy and stamina, which may come in handy on the days that we just don’t feel inspired. Radiance^® Vitamin B100 Complex is jam packed with B vitamins and sensational results are pretty much instantaneous. Vitamin D, as found in Radiance^® Vitamin D3, is another important vitamin that we tend to miss out on due to reduced sun hours. Recent studies from Otago University have found that 48% of New Zealanders had less than the minimum level of vitamin D necessary to achieve optimal health1.

Adapt to the Stress

Rhodiola rosea is another “winter blues” tonic. This powerful, hardy plant thrives in the blistering cold of the Arctic region of Alaska and North-Eastern Siberia. This herb was traditionally used to help the body deal with physical endurance and longevity, altitude sickness, low energy, poor mood and nervous system disorders. Research over the last 30 years has discovered that rhodiola extracts support the body’s efficiency in transporting serotonin precursors into the brain. Rhodiola rosea has been categorised as an ‘adaptogen’ by Russian researchers due to its observed ability to help us maintain a high level of resistance to a variety of chemical, biological, and physical stressors. Quality products such as Radiance^® AdaptoStress may help improve energy, mood and anxiousness, common symptoms of “winter blues”. So don’t think you need to “lay low” this winter. Embrace life, the rain and the cold with the help from a few “natural” friends and a warm blanket.

(Originally published in Health & Herbal News Magazine Volume 19, Issue 2)