Winter, whether you love it or hate it, can be tough on your body, your mind, and your soul.
The days are shorter. The nights are longer.
We tend to eat more and workout less.
Family stressors.
Holidays.
It’s more than enough to shut your body and mind down.
And because there are people depending on you on the job and off, we need to keep you in tip-top shape all winter long.
And the number one threat to your health and sanity this winter?
It could be something called SAD.
The full name for SAD is Seasonal Affective Disorder.
What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder?
Seasonal depression is a more common term for a condition named SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder). SAD is a recurring depression that often occurs in the late fall and winter months.
It happens because we’re inside more. And get less sunlight.
Many people think there’s nothing you can do about it.
That’s not true.
Contrary to common belief, you can successfully combat seasonal depression long before you feel its effects.
Here’s a few ideas to get you through the next few months...
#1 - Guard Your Mind.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is no joke. And the further north you are, the more serious and the more common this condition becomes.
According to the Mayo Clinic, winter onset SAD can also lead to:
They go on to say,“SAD can get worse and lead to problems if it's not treated.”
These problems can include:
Obviously, you’ll want to do whatever you can to guard against these threats.
Here are some of the best ways to do that…
#2 - Support Your Heart
Cold weather can add strain on your heart as it works overtime to pump blood to your extremities to keep them warm.
That’s why it’s important to give your heart the support it needs through vitamins like B6 which can decrease the chance of clots.
Minerals like L-Citrulline, which can also improve blood flow and reduce blood pressure.
These and other heart supporting vitamins and minerals can also be found in the Heart Support Matrix in our 6 in 1 Reload packet.
Keep exercising too. Aim for 150 total minutes of moderate exercise per week.
#3 - Support Your Lungs
We’ve all been out in the cold and experienced that pain of taking a deep breath and the cold air feels to your lungs like ripping an extra strength bandaid off of your skin.
Your friend here is Vitamin C and an overlooked supplement called Cordyceps which can reduce inflammation in your airway.
Both are available in the Respiratory Support Matrix inside, you guessed it, Reload.
#4 - Protect Your Adrenal Glands
Keeping your adrenal glands in check is a critical component of overall physical and mental health.
The hormones produced by your adrenal glands are essential to keeping your metabolism and blood pressure in check, as well as your stress response.
Ashwagandha is a medicinal herb known to reduce cortisol, one of the key hormones tied into tension, while L-Tyrosine helps maintain a healthy balance of these same hormones that can become depleted when you’re put under pressure.
That’s right, you can find these in Reload too.
#5 - Manage Blood Sugar
We all tend to crave more comfort foods in the winter months. Add in Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years, College Football Playoffs, the SuperBowl, and Valentines Day and it’s a recipe for adding about a gazillion pounds of sugar to your diet.
Now, we’re not ones to say you shouldn’t eat all that amazing stuff. That’s up to you. We do believe that enjoying those treats, in moderation with friends and family, actually has some benefits because of the social joy it brings.
Even so, a supplement called Apple Cider Vinegar can help support healthy blood sugar levels.
You can either drink the stuff or just know it’s already in your Reload supplement pack.
#6 - Boost Your Immune System
Let’s face it, your mother was right, you really should eat your fruits and veggies.
Why? They offer incredible support to your immune system.
And we’ve all seen how important that is over the last 2 years, right?
Reload has a proprietary blend of 42 fruits and vegetables. No chewing, peeling, or shucking required.
Ok, at this point we’ve probably annoyed the crap out of you with the not so subtle pitch to buy some freaking Reload and protect yourself, and those you love, from SAD this season.
So, let us end with another idea that doesn't require you to buy anything…
#7 - Stay (or get) Social…
Being socially active is an important part of keeping your spirits up during the wintertime. Here are some ways to do that…
There are more ideas but you get the idea… get around other people outside of work.
Finally, you can effectively combat seasonal depression by being aware of both your behavior and environment. Make a conscious effort to boost your own spirits and refrain from slipping into a rut.
Of course, if you fear that you're suffering from SAD, contact a physician to ensure that your condition is safely treated and whether you need medication or not.
With a few small changes, you can survive - and even thrive - through the dreary winter season.
Reload really is a powerful way to survive and even thrive through the winter. Get some for yourself and maybe even grab an extra for someone you care about.
