Feeling Under the Weather?

by Vida Integrated Health | Health & Wellness

Feeling Under The Weather? Is It Just Seasonal Or Is There Something Wrong?

For most people, especially if you live in the Pacific Northwest, it’s no news that during the cold months of the year we tend to get a low libido, lack of energy and focus, and a decline in activity.

It is completely normal to feel any of those symptoms with the arrival of winter, especially fatigue and changes in sleep patterns, feeling lazy, hopeless, and in a bad mood.

It is also no secret sexual desire is not constant and, during winter, there are times when libido decreases drastically. There could be many factors that affect the desire to have intimate relationships, one of them has to do with your hormones during that time of the year.

You see, unlike higher temperatures, which make us generally more active, cold climates usually diminishes our libido considerably. This may also explain why during these months of the year we feel more lazy, tired and sleepy.

Here’s why you might be affected from seasonal change:

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Melatonin

During cold months, the levels of the hormone melatonin are higher than during warm months. This hormone regulates our sleep-wake cycle (circadian rhythm), which induces sleep. This explains why you might feel tired and sleepy.

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Serotonin

Less exposure to sunlight has been associated with a drop in serotonin, a hormone that boosts good mood. Low serotonin levels are associated with depression.

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Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Levels of TSH increase during winter, and raised TSH promotes bad mood, fatigue, weight gain, and brain fog.

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Vitamin D

A reduction in its levels can also negatively impact our immune system. This vitamin plays an important role in maintaining our immune system healthy to fight infections.

How To Stay Active During the Colder Months

Winter months can be challenging and can be the main reason for anyone to feel sluggish and lethargic. A little planning and few tips will help you stay active during these colder months and get past the frigid temperatures.

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Workout at Home

Create a space in your home to workout. Buy some exercise types of equipment like a yoga mat or hand weights and start exercising at home, ideally in the morning. You can also try fitness apps that will not only guide you but also keep you motivated. Our favoristes are Apple Fitness + and Peloton. Peloton is currently offering 30 days free!

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Stick to your Healthy Routine

To stay active and productive, you need to feel more energized. So, for that, you must build your healthy routine and stick to it. Start your day with water. It’s important to keep yourself hydrated even if you do not feel thirsty. It would be best if you start taking any herbal tea of your choice twice a day. Be conscious about your sleeping hours because you need to get plenty of it.

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Engage Yourself with Winter Sports

Try to get yourself out of that warm comfy couch and go outside when you can. Participate in some winter sports like snowshoeing, snowboarding, hockey, or skiing. It will destress you and is one of the fun ways to get in some physical activity. You will also be able to stay healthy and fit and enjoy the fresh cold air of the season.

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Take a Walk

For extra motivation, go for a walk around your neighborhood, local parks, or find some local trails in your area. Being outside in the sunshine and fresh air will give your body the vitamin D it needs.

Your Functional Medicine Physician can test your levels of Vitamin D, discuss your sleep habits and help support you through the winter months. Functional Medicine overlooks the whole body and understands diseases and ailments as a set of several causes. Thus, it treats the root cause, not only the symptoms.

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Feeling Under the Weather?