• Toll Free: (800) 869 9159
  • Customer Care
    • Contact Us
    • Help Center
  • My Account
    • Log in
    • Create an account
  • Become a Humanized+ Member

Find anything you need

logo
Log in Register View cart

FREE SHIPPING! On online orders of $74+. Use code: SHIP74
This offer is for standard shipping available in the continental U.S.
Cannot be combined with any other offers.

Brands
Practitioner Brands Pathway Sinus Survival Klaire Labs* Kirkman Metagenics Nordic Naturals Pure Encapsulations* Thorne Research Xymogen
Top Brands Megafood Jarrow Formulas Solgar Nature's Way Garden of Life Life Extension Bluebonnet Derma E Innate Response Nutrafol
Top Brands Gaia Herbs Herb Pharm Boiron Ollois Host Defense Inika Organic Carlson Labs Enzymedica Solaray Renew Life
Pathway Supplements Categories
Health Concerns Adrenal Health Allergies & Sinus Blood Sugar Blood Pressure Bone Health Brain Health Candida Children's Health Cholesterol Detox & Elimination Digestive Health Energy Eye Health Foundational Support Hair, Skin, & Nails Healthy Aging
Health Concerns Heart Health Immune Health Joints & Muscles Liver Support Men's Health Mood & Anxiety Oral Health Pain Management Pet Health Relaxation & Sleep Support Respiratory Health Stress Support Thyroid Support Weight Management Women's Health
Product Type Antioxidants Calcium CoQ10 Enzymes Fiber Fish Oil Greens Gifts Herbs Homeopathic Magnesium Masks & Sanitizer Multivitamin Mushrooms
Product Type Omega 3 Personal Care Prenatal Probiotics Protein Sports Nutrition Sunscreen Trace Minerals Vitamin A Vitamin B Vitamin C Vitamin D Vitamin E Zinc
Consultations Resources
Lab Testing
Ask the Expert
Help Center
Pharmacy & Compounding
Medication Disposal Progam
Healthy Pets
Green Initiatives
Practitioner Brands
Reviews
My Account
Create an Account
Education
Blog
Humanized - Your Health Personalized
Articles & Health Info
Radio Show Archive
  • Become a Humanized+ Member
logo
Brands
Practitioner Brands
Pathway
Sinus Survival
Designs for Health*
Klaire Labs*
Kirkman
Metagenics
Nordic Naturals
Pure Encapsulations*
Thorne Research
Xymogen
Top Brands
Megafood
Jarrow Formulas
Solgar
Nature's Way
Garden of Life
Life Extension
Bluebonnet
Derma E
Innate Response
Nutrafol
Top Brands
Gaia Herbs
Herb Pharm
Boiron
Ollois
Host Defense
Inika Organic
Carlson Labs
Enzymedica
Solaray
Renew Life
Pathway Supplements Categories
Health Concerns
Adrenal Health
Allergies & Sinus
Blood Sugar
Blood Pressure
Bone Health
Brain Health
Candida
Children's Health
Cholesterol
Detox & Elimination
Digestive Health
Energy
Eye Health
Foundational Support
Hair, Skin, & Nails
Healthy Aging
Health Concerns
Heart Health
Immune Health
Joints & Muscles
Liver Support
Men's Health
Mood & Anxiety
Oral Health
Pain Management
Pet Health
Relaxation & Sleep Support
Respiratory Health
Stress Support
Thyroid Support
Weight Management
Women's Health
Product Type
Antioxidants
Calcium
CoQ10
Enzymes
Fiber
Fish Oil
Greens
Gifts
Herbs
Homeopathic
Magnesium
Masks & Sanitizer
Multivitamin
Mushrooms
Product Type
Omega 3
Personal Care
Prenatal
Probiotics
Protein
Sports Nutrition
Sunscreen
Trace Minerals
Vitamin A
Vitamin B
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Zinc
Consultations Resources
Lab Testing
Ask the Expert
Help Center
Pharmacy & Compounding
Medication Disposal Progam
Healthy Pets
Green Initiatives
Practitioner Brands
Reviews
My Account
Create an Account
Education
Blog
Humanized - Your Health Personalized
Articles & Health Info
Radio Show Archive
Log in Register
Item added to cart!
%title% %variant%

You have %itemCount% in your cart.
Total being %total%

View cart Checkout
Access Denied
IMPORTANT! If you’re a store owner, please make sure you have Customer accounts enabled in your Store Admin, as you have customer based locks set up with EasyLockdown app. Enable Customer Accounts

Tips to Help with Blue Monday

Paula Gallagher on 01/16/2023
Shorter winter days can lead to depressed mood, or SAD.

Today is known as Blue Monday, because it is supposed to be the saddest day of the year. After the high of the of the holiday season, credit card statements start rolling in and the struggle to complete those New Year's resolutions combines with long, dark and gloomy winter days, and you have a recipe for the “blues.”

Blue Monday, which falls on the third Monday in January, sits right in the middle of this January depression. In fact, it's supposed to be one day of the year when people feel the most depressed.

Winter Blues

For many, the winter blues aren't just limited to one day. SAD, or seasonal affective disorder, is a type of depression that affects people in the winter months because of the darkness from shorter days and grayer skies. Less natural sunlight, together with shorter days and colder weather, can really affect your mood. It has been estimated that as many as 9% of U.S. adults experience symptoms of SAD. It is more common in women than men, and in the north than the south.

Symptoms of SAD can be low energy, anxiety attacks, weight gain, sleeping too much, and decreased libido, all of which typically begin in the late fall and alleviate in the spring.

What Can Help?

Here is the good news. People with SAD often respond very well to light therapy (phototherapy) and vitamin D supplementation, as well as other forms of natural medicine. Be sure to talk to your doctor about symptoms you are experiencing, for a proper diagnosis.

Vitamin D

Start taking a vitamin D supplement now. Even better, have your levels assessed at your doctor's office using a simple blood test known as serum 25OHD. Vitamin D3 is now known to be useful for not only bone health, but also immune system health, inflammation, against all forms of cancer, and of course mood.

Light Therapy

People with SAD have higher levels of melatonin, the brain chemical that induces sleep. Light therapy is helpful for SAD because full-spectrum lighting regulates the production of melatonin. Melatonin regulates daily patterns. Full-spectrum light bulbs and light boxes are available to help supplement the amount of light you're getting, especially in the darker months.

Regular Outdoor Exercise

Don't let the cold stop you. Dress appropriately and enjoy the outdoors. Snowshoeing, skiing, skating, making snowmen and other outdoor activities expose you to some sun and get you moving. Just going for a daily walk is a great thing to do.

Proper Rest

Go to bed at the same time every night and wake up around the same time every morning. Establishing good sleep habits is very important to feeling rested.

Enjoyable Mental Activities

Read a challenging book (or any book!), do a crossword puzzle, or play scrabble! Or how about Wordle or Sudoku?

Deal With Stress in Positive Ways

For instance, being social can lift your spirits. The key is to get your attention and thoughts away from yourself. Go for a walk with a friend, share your feelings and don't keep things bottled up.

Dietary Approaches

Treating SAD nutritionally begins by an assessment of nutritional status and toxin levels. Nutritional deficiencies can alter the functioning of the nervous system. B vitamins are known as the "stress vitamins." Taking a complete B-complex formula can help both your brain and your adrenal glands function effectively; the adrenal glands produce hormones that enable our bodies to fight stress. B vitamins are also needed to optimize neurotransmitter production – in particular, vitamin B6. Stable blood sugar levels can also play a role in maintaining a positive mood because fluctuations can aggravate SAD. Avoid caffeinated drinks, alcohol, tobacco, saturated fats, artificial sweeteners, wheat, refined flour products, refined sugar products, and any foods for which you have a sensitivity. Eat a whole foods diet, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains (especially oats) and nutritional yeast.

If you continue to experience “down days” at the same time every year, or they persist for days at a time, please see your doctor or health care provider. It’s important that we all look after our mental health and well-being.

Categories

  • Body Care & Beauty
  • Diet
  • Exercise
  • Green Living
  • Health Concerns
  • Healthy Recipes
  • Lab Testing
  • Nutritional Supplements
  • Pharmacy & Compounding
  • Stress Management & Lifestyle
  • Village Green News

Humanized Health - NEW!

Learn about personalized health from top experts! Check out our fascinating new shows every week, available as videos, podcasts and transcripts.:

  • How to Never Die of Heart Disease
  • Strategies to Improve Your Brain Health

Our Bloggers

  • Paula Gallagher
    Paula Gallagher
    Paula is a highly qualified and experienced nutrition counselor on the staff at Village Green.
    read more..
  • Margo Gladding
    Margo Gladding
    Margo's impressive knowledge base is the result of a unique blend of educational and professional experience.
    read more..
  • Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Neal Barnard
    Dr. Barnard leads programs advocating for preventive medicine, good nutrition, and higher ethical standards in research.
    read more..
  • Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno
    Dr. Joseph Pizzorno, ND is a pioneer of integrative medicine and a leading authority on science-based natural medicine.
    read more..
  • Debi Silber
    Debi Silber
    Debi is a registered dietitian with a master’s degree in nutrition, a personal trainer, and whole health coach.
    read more..
  • Teri Cochrane
    Teri Cochrane
    Teri is a is a Certified Coach Practitioner with extensive certifications and experience in holistic medicinal practices.
    read more..
  • Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker
    Dr. Rav Ivker is a holistic family physician, health educator, and best-selling author.
    read more..
  • Susan Levin
    Susan Levin
    Susan writes about the connection between plant-based diets and a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
    read more..
  • Rob Brown
    Dr. Rob Brown
    Dr. Brown's blended perspective of healthcare includes a deeply rooted passion for wellness and spiritual exploration.
    read more..

Other Contributors

Caroline Blazovsky
Heather Gunn
Jared Rice
Ellen Kittredge
Naz Amini
Carmen Ugas
Steve Stillwater
Farzin Farid
Joe Ailts
Scott O’Dell
James Brodsky, MD
Christine M. Gonzales
Beth Ritchie
Jim Fox

← Older Post Newer Post →
Invalid password
Enter
Learning Resources Consultations Green Initiatives Pharmacy/Compounding Humanized Health Village Green Blog
Customer Care Help Center Return Policy Best Price Guarantee Privacy Policy Leave a Review
General Information Curbside Pick-Up Contact Us About Us Job Opportunities
stay connected

Village Green Apothecary
5415 W Cedar Ln
Bethesda, Maryland, 20814
(301) 530-0800
Toll Free: (800) 869-9159

© 2021 Village Green Apothecary - All Rights Reserved. The information provided on this site is not intended to be a substitute for advice or treatment from a qualified physician, nor is it intended to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Consult your physician prior to starting any new health program or if you any questions regarding a medical condition.

This site requires cookies in order to provide all of its functionality.