Nourish Your Mood This Season

As the days shorten and the light fades earlier, many people notice their energy and mood start to shift. It is easy to find ourselves reaching for comfort food.  Those warm, heavy meals and sweet treats that seem to make the darker evenings a little easier.

There is nothing wrong with comfort, but the problem comes when it becomes our default. Shorter days and less sunlight can lower serotonin, the hormone that helps lift mood. Quick fix foods like biscuits, pastries and refined carbs give a short burst of energy, but often leave us more tired and flat afterwards.

Rather than cutting things out completely, it helps to think about how to build comfort in a way that supports both body and mind. Warm soups, slow cooked meals, roasted vegetables and balanced plates with enough protein and colour can still feel nourishing, but they give a steadier energy and a more even mood.

Sometimes food becomes a way of coping with tiredness or stress, rather than true hunger. Noticing those patterns can make a big difference. Getting out into the daylight, even just 10mins every morning can make a big difference to our mood.  Keeping up with our exercise routines is important, and with everything , something is better than nothing. A short at home 10min workout can do wonders for making you feeling more energised , less sluggish and less in need of comfort food. 

As the season changes, the goal is not perfection,  it is awareness. Choosing foods that nourish rather than numb helps the body adapt to the darker months and keeps energy and mood steadier. Maintaining movement and exercise to keep us active and lifting our mood. A little care with what is on the plate, and keeping active can make the winter months feel calmer, lighter and more balanced