<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-3228" src="https://northshorechiro.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/North-Shore-Chiro-blog-winter-wellness-tips-good-mental-health.png" alt="North Shore Chiro blog - winter wellness tips good mental health" width="1200" height="630">
Winter can be a hard time to maintain good mental health. We don't get a lot of sun, and what's worse, the cold weather is keeping us indoors for the whole time.

It's no wonder why many people suffer symptoms like anxiety, depression and fatigue during these long winter months.
As we continue through July and August, it's a good idea to think about the simple things we can do to look after our mental health, and how to make our bodies adjust better to the dark and cold winter days.

Here are some tips that might help:

<b>Take vitamin D3 Supplements</b>

As we have decreased exposure to sunlight in winter, there's a high chance that we will be deficient in Vitamin D. Having low levels is often associated with poor mood and anxiety. Therefore, maintaining sufficient levels can give you the opposite effect. Aside from giving you a happier mood, taking Vitamin D will boost your immune system and keep you energized throughout the day.

<b>Don't forget to exercise</b>

Exercise increases the levels of serotonin and endorphins in our body which leads to better mood and overall sense of well-being. It helps relieve stress, improve your appetite and regulate sleep cycles. While it's understandable that many people prefer to stay indoors during these chilly months, remember that there are many ways to keep active while staying indoors.

Related Article: <a href="https://norwestchiro.co.nz/how-to-stay-active-during-winter-months">How to stay active during winter months</a>

<b>Cut down on fats and sugar&nbsp;</b>

When we are feeling stressed, it's easy to find ourselves chomping on foods high in fats or sugars. But doing so will not actually improve our mood or fatigue, rather, consuming them can actually increase our energy slump. It's better to stick to healthier choices such as fruits, vegetables and lean protein that will give you the energy you need to stay active during the winter months without the unhealthy weight gain.

<b>Keep a regular sleep schedule</b>

For some, fewer hours of daylight in the winter can disrupt a person's sleep-wake cycle, causing a negative impact on sleep quality and quantity. This means more anxiety, fatigue and stress the next day when you wake up. To keep a regular sleep-wake cycle, make sure you go to sleep and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends.

If following these tips does not help much at all, make sure you consult our chiropractor. Chiropractic's ability to correct spinal misalignment can have numerous benefits with regards to mental health. This can include pain alleviation, stress reduction, posture correction, and more. Chiropractic adjustments may also increase the level of endorphins in the bloodstream, which is a vital key to improving your mood and overall health.

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