As the winter season gets closer and closer, you may start to feel yourself lose motivation and experience an overall sense of sadness. I mean, the sun sets at 4:00pm- who wouldn’t be sad after that? What you are feeling is completely normal and understandable. If you already experience depression or anxiety, winter might be the cherry on top for you. 1 out of every 5 people are diagnosed with a mental illness, which makes the everyday world a tough place to be at times. If you are not into prescription medications, there are other things you can do to help control the levels of depression or anxiety you may feel, whether it is triggered by the season or not.
Of course if you have ever been into a doctor’s office and was diagnosed with a mental illness, they suggest things such as a healthy diet, or exercising five days a week, maybe even yoga. Don’t get me wrong, those things truly do help. Sometimes fixing your gut health is the #1 key to becoming happier and less anxious, or maybe you have so much adrenaline in your body that working out is your cure. But those aren’t everyone’s cures. What if you eat really well and workout multiple days a week but still feel like you’re just missing something?
In today’s society, it is so important to take your vitamins. Since my struggle with mental health, I had talked to a friend who has a background with holistic and natural medicine. The #1 solution she had suggested was taking certain vitamins that combated against depression and anxiety. It wasn’t long after when my TikTok page became filled with depressed, anxious people explaining how they have begun taking certain vitamins and their symptoms were basically gone. They were experiencing less anxiety, less fatigue, more motivation, all because of specific vitamins. I was taking that as a sign from the universe to hop on the vitamin bandwagon.
The first vitamin that is strongly encouraged, especially during the winter season, is Vitamin D3. This vitamin is made by the body when the skin is exposed to the sunlight. If you are experiencing too little of this vitamin, you may experience symptoms of depression. During the colder season, you often don’t get much sun exposure, which makes you lack Vitamin D3. If you are one to experience seasonal depression, I strongly encourage you to start taking this vitamin. It is best to take it with a meal, therefore your body will break down the vitamin better.
The second vitamin that was strongly recommended to me, especially for anxiety, is Omega-3 supplements. There are some foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, such as fish, but I prefer taking supplements. Omega-3 really helps with the heart. If you are an anxious person, you might have experienced an increased heart rate, chest pains, or heart palpitations, which we all know are not fun in the slightest of bits. This vitamin can really help with these specific symptoms, since it’s key purpose is to regulate the heart more. Again, it is highly recommended you take it with a meal. If you experience anxiety, this vitamin might be the right thing for you!
The last recommendation I received is not a vitamin, but instead a herbal remedy called lemon balm. Lemon balm was the remedy my friend has the most praise for, and said it has worked wonders for her anxiety, as well as others she has recommended it to. This calming remedy is known to be mixed into tea and can really help calm down the body, especially at night. If you suffer from anxiety, you might experience intense levels of insomnia. Lemon balm will help lessen your anxiety and help you get a good night’s rest.
If you are suffering from depression, seasonal depression, or anxiety, just know you are not alone. Fortunately, there are many things we can do to help us get better, and feel better. Sometimes our mind and bodies just need the extra help, and that is perfectly okay.