Winter Blues Got You Down? Improving Your Gut Health Can Help!

As the days get shorter and leaves start to fall, many of us welcome the cosiness that autumn can bring. However, for some of us, this time of year brings a less inviting companion: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Turning back the clocks is a tell-tale sign that darker days are near, and with them, the potential for SAD to rear its ugly head.


The decreasing amount of daylight can significantly impact both our mental and physical well-being. Common symptoms of SAD include:

  • Low Energy: Reduced exposure to natural light can disrupt the natural changes that happens in our body over the course of the day, leading to fatigue and a general lack of energy.
  • Depression: Lack of sunlight affects serotonin production (the happy hormone). Low serotonin levels can trigger feelings of sadness and hopelessness.
  • Social Withdrawal: The desire to hibernate during the darker months can exacerbate feelings of isolation.
  • Carbohydrate Cravings: Many people find themselves reaching for comfort foods, which are often high in carbohydrates. This can lead to weight gain or worsen feelings of sluggishness.

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    Whilst these symptoms can be challenging, there are ways to help manage them. You could try:

  • Light Exposure: Light therapy boxes which emit bright light can help reset your internal clock, whilst sitting near a window can help increase your natural light exposure!
  • Vitamin D Supplementation: Evidence suggests that everyone should be taking a vitamin D supplement during the autumn and winter months as the lack of sunlight may mean we don’t create enough on our own.1
  • Spending Time Outside: Get as much natural light as possible by going for a morning or lunchtime walk.
  • Lifestyle Changes: Maintaining a regular exercise routine, eating a balanced diet, and managing stress can all help.

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    It’s also important to think about improving your gut health…

    Improving your gut health can play an important role in improving SAD. Research has shown there’s a strong gut-brain connection. A healthy gut microbiome can influence the production of mood-regulating chemicals, such as serotonin, which are essential for emotional well-being.2


    Maintaining a balanced and diverse gut microbiota can help improve mood and overall mental health in people suffering with SAD. A diet rich in fibre, prebiotics, and probiotics (like kefir) is the best way to do this. Our Biotiful Kefir is full of billions of live cultures that can help support your gut health*. Why not incorporate one of our delicious drinks or yoghurts into your autumn routine to give yourself a boost!

    *Kefir is a source of calcium, which contributes to the normal functioning of the digestive system.

    References

  • https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-d/
  • https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/gut-feelings-how-food-affects-your-mood-2018120715548
    • Sources
  •  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/overview/
  •  https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/treatment/#:~:text=A%20number%20of%20treatments%20are,and%20severity%20of%20your%20symptoms.
  • https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/seasonal-affective-disorder-sad/self-care/


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