Gloom to Glow: How to Thrive in the Dark Days of Winter

The shops have taken down their bright and festive window displays, lights are coming down around your neighborhood, the parties have ended…and the weather forecast is never-ending gloom.

January is notorious for seasonal depression—but YOU don’t have to choose the winter blues. 

The old adage, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make makes you,” is especially true regarding mental health in the dark days of winter.

While you can’t choose if the sun will shine, you CAN choose to bring sunshine into your body, mind, and CELLS.

Yes, I do mean cells because mental health is actually a CELLUAR issue.

Here’s why: your mitochondria (cells) use oxygen and nutrients to create the fuel needed to be healthy. Healthy cells can adapt to stress, fight off mental and physical illness, and generally function well.  

On the flip side, damaging your mitochondria happens when you stuff glucose and glutamine (AKA processed foods, sugars, etc.) in your body and let CORTISOL from chronic stress take over. Please read this blog post for a deeper dive into mental health and your cells.

Which is why January comes at the worst time. You just spent December in splurging and stress mode—and now you are plopped right into a dark, cold, boring time of year with a body crying for help.

Luckily, I know several practical and realistic things to help you turn January into a month of joy, growth, and GLOW!

Dr. Daryl’s January Happiness Perscription

It may take some extra work, but it will be worth it. Binge eating and scrolling may be enjoyable at the moment, but using it to mask seasonal depression only sends you deeper into doomland.

No matter how cold it is outside, following this formula can help you feel warm in your body, mind, and soul. The prescription below is general advice; please talk to your doctor about specific recommendations if you need more support.

Ten drops of Acid-Kicking Vitamin D first thing in the morning. Vitamin D is literal drops of warm sunshine for your body. It boosts serotonin, the hormone responsible for happiness, intestinal movements, mood, hunger, and sleep. Low levels drop your mood and send your body/mind on a scavenger hunt for more. This leads to craving unhealthy things just to get an artificial boost of serotonin. Instead, start your body with Acid-Kicking Vitamin D and take it as needed.

The darkest days of winter don’t have to automatically dim your light. By prioritizing your mental and cellular health, you can rewrite January from a season of gloom to a time of renewal, glow, and JOY!

Remember, happiness is a choice that starts in your CELLS. Every small action brings you closer to a brighter, healthier you!