"During winter in clinic I often notice the same pattern. People coming in saying they've caught every bug going around, but when we dig deeper, the real issue is rarely just their immune system. More often it's stress, poor sleep, digestive issues, nutrient depletion, or simply running on empty".
Here are 5 common reasons contributing to why so many people feel their health is worse during the winter months.
Running On Empty From Stress
Family responsibilities, financial stress, work pressures and general demands from modern life can quietly drain your body's resources long before winter arrives.
You may notice-
More frequent colds and infections, it takes longer to recover from illness, you find it hard to fall and stay asleep all night, you feel fatigued during the day and you may experience brain fog and difficulty concentrating.
What can help-
Spending some of your day outside, even on cloudy days. Gentle exercise and movement. Creating moments in your day for rest and recovery and eating nourishing meals. Herbs can also support the body's stress response and help with improving energy levels and focus. Some examples of this are ashwagandha, rhodiola and holy basil (Tulsi).
2. Your Vitamin D Level May Be Low
In winter many of us go to work and return home in the dark and generally don't spend as much time outside even on our weekends. Vitamin D from sunshine and food is important for supporting your immune system, mood and overall health.
You may notice-
Feeling low in mood, fatigue, more frequent illnesses, a lack of motivation, feeling flat or generally lacking in energy.
What can help-
Enjoying some time outside (on your lunchbreak, between jobs), exercising regularly, eating vitamin D rich foods (salmon, sardines, egg yolks, specific mushrooms, liver), and considering if it's appropriate to get you vitamin D level tested. Herbs that can help support how you feel emotionally include lemon balm, chamomile and lavender.
3. Your Gut Health May be Affecting More Than Just Your Digestion
A large portion of your immune system is associated with your gut, making your digestion an important part of winter wellness. We often eat more comfort food in winter, less fresh fruit and vegetables and are less physically active.
You may notice-
Bloating, changes in your bowel habits, sensitivities to certain foods, more frequent illnesses and stomach pains.
What can help-
Eating more fibre (fruits, vegetables and grains), eating some fermented foods such as sauerkraut, drinking enough water, reducing processed foods and learning some stress management techniques (eg. deep breathing). Herbs used to help your digestion include ginger, peppermint, fennel and chamomile.
4. Changes In Your Daily Habits During Winter
Subtle changes to be aware of in the darker and cooler months include less socialising, eating more for comfort, being outside less and moving less. These can all impact your mood, energy, sleep and immune system.
What can help-
Prioritising a daily walk, try to get out in the morning sunlight, be aware of your changing seasonal routines and how you can be more consistent with getting outside, meal planning, making a point of socialising more (my favourite is catching up with a friend whilst walking in the hills). Herbs that can be warming and comforting in winter include ginger, cinnamon and turmeric.
5. Excisting Imbalances In Your Body
Winter can often expose health issues that have been quietly developing throughout the year. For example you may be struggling with low nutrient levels, chronic stress, poor sleep quality, regular upset stomach or ongoing inflammation. Winter can make it harder to cope with these imbalances.
Rather than pushing through the winter, ask yourself-
Do I get sick every winter?
Am I always exhausted by July or August?
Do my digestive problems get worse in winter?
Is my mood lower in winter?
Rather than focussing just on winter symptoms, during a consultation with me, we would look at the underlying factors contributing to your concerns. We would focus on supporting your body as a whole, uncovering factors including your diet, lifestlye, stress levels, sleep and digestion that may be impacting your health.
Please email, message or call me if you'd like to find out more about how I can help you.