Simple Naturopathic Tips to Feel Your Best This Winter

The winter months can be tough, especially if you live in a city that experiences all four seasons in full force. Although winter might have a certain magic about it, the dreaded onset of snow, sleet, and gloom is something that most of us don’t ever get used to. As the sun doesn’t rise until 8 a.m., and the bitter cold keeps you bundled up from head to toe, it’s okay to give yourself a little grace.

Winter is one of the peak times people turn to naturopathy because chronic conditions can flare, and seasonal illness is at its height. It’s the perfect time for people to notice vulnerabilities in their health and seek out genuine support.

Here are some general tips to feel invigorated and nourished when the days are short and gray.

1. Add warming foods to your diet

If a drop in temperature is typically a warning bell for bugs, it could be time to fortify your diet with foods to give you a natural lift. The concept of food as medicine is wholly embraced in naturopathy, and winter usually calls for hearty root veggies, warm foods, deep hydration, and ingredients rich in vitamin D.

Favor grounding foods like whole grains, comforting stews, and immunity boosters like turmeric and fermented ingredients. Choose to drink plenty of warm water, bone broth, and herbal teas over cold drinks, and limit your intake of sugar and caffeine to protect your mood and immunity.

Taste of Home features plenty of varied stew recipes to kickstart your comfort food rotation.

2. Balance movement and rest

It’s not unusual to see guides stressing movement and exercise in the colder months as a way to combat fatigue and the tendency to feel cooped up inside. Regular exercise comes with numerous benefits, including keeping your immune cells active, supporting a healthy metabolism, and improving mental sharpness. But we rarely hear about how the colder months demand more energy out of the body and how the lack of sunlight can deplete our serotonin levels.

Our bodies need rest, whether in the form of quiet downtime or restorative sleep, to help reset our nervous systems. Schedule gentle activity throughout your day and aim to get at least 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night. Nightly wind-down routines can support this.

3. Experiment with light therapy

While light therapy certainly feels new, thanks to social media and the influx of consumer-friendly devices, it has been well-researched since the 1980s. It might sound like a marketing stunt, but the premise is simple: the light is designed to mimic sunlight, which causes a chemical change in the brain that lifts your mood and alleviates other symptoms of seasonal affective disorder.

Different products provide different benefits. You’ll find a range of brightness levels, adjustable features, various sizes, styles, dual functions, and more on the market. When you start light therapy can matter, too, since morning light can help wake you, but using it too late can keep you up at night.

4. Give your brain a break

Winter has a special way of cranking up the stress, physically, mentally, and socially. And the more stress we build up, the higher our cortisol levels are, which can eventually dull our body’s defenses. Managing stress is a personal art, meaning we’ve all got our own grooves.

Some might be drawn to meditation or mindful breathing, while others prefer to get their calm from cooking, journaling, or time in nature. The goal is to signal to your nervous system that it’s safe to relax and to prepare yourself to respond to life’s challenges much more effectively. Start small and stay consistent, and you’ll hopefully find yourself more resilient.

Make winter wellness a reality

Winter might not ever stop feeling heavy and dark at times, but with a few intentional habits, you can view the season through a new lens. Yet sometimes, these changes are easier said (or read) than done.

Of Leaf & Light is all about providing personalized guidance to navigate your life, no matter the season. Together, we can create realistic strategies to better your everyday.

Book a virtual naturopathy consultation with Victoria today.

Chloe Rodrigues
You can see more of Chloe’s work on her website.