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Many people experience the winter blues during the colder months of the year. Several factors, including lack of sunlight and shorter days, can impact your mood. When the weather outside is frightful and your mood is far from delightful, here are some natural winter blues remedies you can try at home to overcome this phenomenon.
What are the “Winter Blues”?
It’s that melancholy feeling brought on by gray skies and freezing breezes.
It’s wanting to curl up under a blanket with a bowl full of mac n’ cheese.
Many people experience a dip in mood during the winter months. However, for some, it’s MORE than just feeling a little “blue”. Known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), this form of depression is heavily influenced by the seasons and weather. Symptoms include:
- Feeling low and sad
- Lethargy
- Having trouble sleeping
- Apathy
- Mood swings
- Food cravings (especially for sugary and carb-y dishes)
According to the NHS, SAD is a type of depression that can cause persistent low mood, irritability, and lethargy, among other symptoms, which may require professional treatment options such as light therapy, talking therapies, or medication.
Don’t let the winter blues get you down this year! Check out these natural ways to keep the blues at bay!
Winter Blues vs SAD
Winter blues and Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) share similarities but differ significantly in severity and impact. Both conditions are influenced by seasonal changes, particularly the reduced daylight during fall and winter, which can lead to mood shifts.
The winter blues typically involve mild symptoms such as feeling down or lethargic, which do not significantly interfere with daily life. In contrast, SAD is a more severe form of depression with symptoms that can include persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, changes in sleep and appetite, and difficulty concentrating.
These symptoms can disrupt daily functioning at work or home and may require professional treatment.
While people with the winter blues might feel less energetic or social, they generally maintain their ability to enjoy life. In contrast, those with SAD often experience a pervasive sense of hopelessness and withdrawal from social interactions.
Essential Oils and SAD
While essential oils can provide some relief from SAD symptoms by potentially influencing serotonin levels and improving mood, they should not be used as a replacement for professional treatment. SAD symptoms can be severe for a person or loved one. We recommend you first seek the help of a qualified medical professional.
Essential oils should be considered complementary to traditional treatments rather than standalone solutions for SAD.
5 Natural Winter Blues Remedies
Winter is a great time to prioritize your health. With the colder months ahead, now's the perfect time to change your life and take care of yourself. If you don’t know what to do, here are 5 natural remedies for winter blues to get through these cold months:
1. Be Well Fed
It’s the season of comfort food and gut-hugging dishes… however, regularly chowing down will only weigh you down and leave you feeling tired and sluggish. Make sure to keep yourself well-fed by keeping your cabinets and fridge full of healthy and energizing snacks, such as:
- Nuts & seeds
- Fresh seasonal fruit
- Nourishing soups & broths
- Herbal teas
2. Enhance Your Mood With Essential Oils
Use the natural aroma of essential oils to give your mind, body, and spirit a boost of joy. Essential oils are great for overall well-being, helping you feel balanced and easing you into a good night’s sleep.
We recommend trying one of our 8 Mood Enhancing Aromatherapy Diffuser Blends.
3. Catch Your Zzz’s
Cold temperatures and cloudy skies can make leaving your warm and cozy bed hard. However, it is important to maintain a regular sleep routine to keep your sleep cycles regulated.
To feel rested and get a good night’s sleep, go to sleep before 11 pm so that you can see daylight as much as possible. You will definitely get sweet sleep by using a homemade Lavender Pillow Spray.
4. Catch Some Rays
Rise, shine, and wake up your feel-good hormones by soaking up the sun! For those gloomy and dark winter days try Light Therapy, which involves using a lightbox to artificially simulate sunshine. Not only will it help regulate your body’s circadian rhythms, but it also will give your mood a cheery boost!
5. Shake It Off
Give your brain AND your body a boost by moving your body daily. Whether you head to the gym, do an exercise program at home, or simply put on your favorite tunes and dance… 30 minutes of movement stimulates the release of endorphins, which will leave you feeling happy and energized. Read our post on Walking for Fitness.
Best Essential Oils for Winter Blues Remedies
It's normal to feel gloomy as winter approaches. However, winter doesn’t have to ruin your mental and emotional health. Research has shown that essential oils like lavender and chamomile may decrease depression and anxiety.
These natural solutions will help you beat the winter blues with essential oils.
Basil Essential Oil
Also known as sweet basil, this essential oil has a spicy, herbal, and licorice-like smell. Basil is known to reduce fatigue, improve concentration, increase mental clarity, and clear the mind. You can either diffuse basil on its own or with peppermint.
Read More: Basil Oil Spotlight
Lime Essential Oil
This essential oil has a bright, citrusy scent that can energize your body and mind and lift your mood. One study indicated that lemon essential oil has antidepressant and anxiolytic properties.
Lime essential oil can be diffused in winter to brighten your home and increase your mood. It can also be used topically to reduce brain fog, boost spirits, and improve mood.
Rose Essential Oil or Absolute
Rose is often called the "queen" of essential oils. It has a sweet, floral scent. Rose oil promotes harmony between the mind and body.
It brings comfort and dispels grief and loneliness. Diffuse rose essential oil to lift your spirits and restore emotional balance.
Read More: Rose Absolute Oil
Clary Sage Essential Oil
Clary sage oil has been used medicinally for hundreds of years to reduce anxiety and stress and balance hormone levels. A 2010 study found that clary sage essential oil has an anti-stress property. It can be applied topically or diluted in a bath to increase relaxation, calm the mind, and lift the mood.
Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Powerful eucalyptus oil creates an unfriendly environment for bacteria and microbes. It can promote positive emotions and relieve feelings of sadness and grief. Let it help you clear your mind and give you a mental boost.
Eucalyptus has a robust medicinal aroma that revitalizes the senses, helps stop sniffles, and clears up congestion. Diffuse it to leave your home with a clean scent and fresh perspective.
Winter Blues Essential Oil Recipe
Try this powerful chest rub to increase alertness and uplift mood. You will breathe deeper and feel refreshed.
Uplifting Eucalyptus Rub
When you massage a few drops of this essential oil blend onto your chest, all will be merry and bright again.
What You Need:
- 6 drops Distilled Lime (Citrus aurantifolia)
- 6 drops Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
- 1 oz jojoba oil
- 1 oz dropper bottle
Directions: Add essential oils to the dropper bottle and fill the rest with jojoba oil (or carrier oil of choice).
To use: Apply several drops to the chest and rub in.
For additional information about the benefits of this eucalyptus chest rub.
Be HAPPY. Be BRIGHT. Be YOU.
Wishing you peace and joy throughout the winter season!
Need Essential Oils?
We are frequently asked what essential oil brands we like. Here are some of our favorites:
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- Ways Yoga Can Affect Your Life Positively
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| World Traveler. Writer. Lifestyle Design Enthusiast. Minimalist. Adventurer. |
Author Bio: Lindsay Sibson
