NATURALLY CURB THE WINTER BLUES
Days are shorter, it’s colder, and we spend less time outside in nature. It’s easy to stay inside and hibernate and even socialise less with friends. Sometimes the change is needed; it is important to slow down and ground ourselves, but for some, this time to reflect and slowdown can lead to decreased energy and feeling blue.
Here are 5 tips to curb the winter blues
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is the building block to strong bones and a healthy mind. The best form of vitamin D comes from the sun. But in some parts of the world, it is difficult to get any natural vitamin from the sun during the winter. Food wise we can get vitamin D from fatty fish and eggs or if choosing a plant-based diet from mushrooms and alfalfa sprouts/powder. If you can spend some time in the afternoon sun for approximately 15 minutes a day with skin exposed you should be able to get your optimal dose of vitamin D depending on where you live. A great Vitamin D tracker App that can tell you how long you need for optimal D in your location is Dminder.
Soak
Take a bath and add high-quality salts. This is a great way to warm up and get added essential minerals your body needs to stay healthy and happy. Our skin is our biggest organ and soaking with salts is a natural and efficient way to take in some naturally occurring minerals. One mineral in particular for keeping our mood lifted is magnesium which curbs anxiety/irritability, fatigue, mental confusion and insomnia. So indulge, add some bath salts and enjoy a nice soak this winter.
Superfoods
Superfoods pack a nutritional punch and can be easily added to your diet. Certain superfoods have incredible nutritional profiles. Take spirulina; this blue-green alga is a great source of chlorophyll, antioxidants, protein, beta-carotene and vitamin B12 great for those on a plant-based diet. Or Kale, which is the multi-vitamin of the vegetable world. Kale is a complete source of the essential vitamins and minerals we need daily. We specifically like the high levels of B6 which help your body make serotonin to support mood and curb depression. Add to a smoothie and let food be your medicine.
Aromatherapy
This one is great and might be the easiest one to implement. Utilising lifting essential oils like lavender, orange, frankincense and peppermint around your home or on your body will help you will stay upbeat and feel great. Add a few drops to your bath, coconut oil or lotion to utilise the medicinal benefits of high-quality oils. Or another favourite, spray your pillow before bed with the Chinese Herb Zizyphus which has been used for a very long time for its ability to keep an individual in a state of deeper sleep. Check out Cedar and Stone’s Dream State Mist and enjoy a full night of regenerative sleep.
Herbal Tea
Slowing down and enjoying a nice cup of herbal tea is another favourite way to de-stress and lift your spirits. I like to think about sitting and having a tea as a time to unplug and quiet my mind. It takes about 15 minutes to drink a cup of hot tea, enjoy this meditative time, savour the flavours, and breathe in gratitude. Favourite teas for uplifting mood; peppermint, lemon balm, chamomile, ginger and turmeric.
Energetically winter is a time to slow down. Life can be fast-paced and full of activity which makes it even more important to take this time for ourselves to nourish our bodies and minds.
Guest Blog for Cedar and Stone by Kristin Derrin from www.junesuperfoods.com
Kristin Derrin is a certified nutritionist, health coach, mum and the founder of June Super Foods, a range of certified organic kids superfood drink mixes that offer a boost of natural fruit and vegetable nutrients to support kids growth and development. Kristin created June Superfoods after noticing a gap in the Australian market for healthy and convenient kids drinks, prompting her to create a product with the highest quality organic ingredients, no added sugars, fillers, or anything artificial.