Seasonal moods are real!
This time of year when the summer holidays seem so far away and the winter has really set in is when moods begin to change.
Our moods adapt to temperature changes, time changes, light, and routine changes.
Autumn is traditionally a time to “start again” and put in place some new goals to achieve. It is not just January, the new moon known as the harvest moon is also a time to reflect.
HARVEST MOON?
WHY IS IT CALLED THE HARVEST MOON?
For several evenings, the moonrise comes soon after sunset.
This results in an abundance of bright moonlight early in the evening, which was a traditional aide to farmers and crews harvesting their summer-grown crops. Hence, it’s called the “Harvest” Moon!
It would give them much needed light to carry on harvesting into the night as the moon provided the lack of daylight hours.
A spiritual time to reflect on the new beginnings that are on their way.
A time to look over what you have achieved so far maybe!
A time to make changes for the winter months coming so you can thrive still!
Join the gym.
Eat healthier.
Cut down on alcohol.
Be kind to others always.
Help family and Friends.
The list goes on but we all know that paying it forward can really change your life for the better.
We all need warmth and light to survive and thrive, so how do you feel in autumn when the seasons are changing and the daylight hours become limited?
Some thrive in cooler conditions and become more active and some the opposite. As I always say, we are all individual.
I love all seasons but can be prone to the odd feeling of wanting to hibernate until spring. I guess we all have a certain amount of that feeling at some point.
Whatever your homeostasis is, below is a real disorder that I have seen people suffering from.
Seasonal affective disorder.
Mood issues commonly referred to as seasonal affective disorder (SAD)—a depression related to the change in seasons. Attends to begin in autumn and continues through the winter months.
The characteristics to look out for are moodiness, low energy, difficulty sleeping, a lack of interest in activities and relationships, feeling hopeless, and an overall sense of depression.
This is sometimes called “the winter blues,” SAD can have a significant impact on your mood and relationships.
If you are more irritable, withdrawn, or moody during the winter months, the time to plan and prepare is now.
Get a plan into action to get you through the darker days by planning weekly “You Time”
This can be a yoga class, reading at a cafe, anything that you enjoy and is for you only.
www.goodtherapy.org/blog/does-your-mood-change-with-the-seasons-0925144
What else?
Foods can improve your mood?
I am not talking chocolate cake (although that improves my mood pretty much instantly) I am talking real nutrition.
Try these meals to boost your mood.
Breakfast
Porridge made with Oat milk or Almond milk
Add Chia seeds after porridge is cooked
Add Walnuts as above
Cinnamon sprinkled on top
Add in some maple syrup if you want to but just a small amount.
Lunch
Poached organic free range eggs x 2
1/2 avocado
Handful of mushrooms
2 handfuls of washed Organic Spinach/Kale
Dinner
Salmon (Use grass-fed butter when baking or grilling)
Mixed seasonal vegetables
Seaweed
A small portion of rice
Add to that
Exercise
walking
swimming
jogging
weight training
Whatever you can do to moving more than usual will help you in the long term.
2.5 – 3 Litres of clean water
6-8 hours of quality sleep
It is not just adults that are affected, it is children too.
Do you feel your summertime, happy go lucky children have suddenly become moody, hungry beyond belief and generally hormonal?
Well if you haven’t then great but for those of you that have experienced that then check the diet. The food they are eating may have something to do with it?
Food is communication between the brain and body, work on what goes into the body first. When you fuel the body make sure you are not fuelling with short-term fixes.
For example…
Cereal and orange juice, for example, won’t fuel you for long or give you significant sustained energy.
Look for slow release foods that will give you energy longer, for example…
OATS
A great source of B-vitamins, which are needed to convert food into energy. Slow release energy and a great breakfast.
Try overnight Oats
- 1 large banana
- 45 grams rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 240 ml unsweetened soy milk/oat milk/almond milk
- 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 3 ice cubes (Optional)
- Whizz in a blender until smooth and creamy:)))))))
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TIP
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Try using different options so swap the banana for an apple and add in 2 Medjool dates instead of maple syrup.
Another great slow release lunch would be for example…
Sweet potatoes sliced and toasted a few times until browned.
Add nut butter as a spread or use avocado and pumpkin seeds as a spread.
I love soups through the autumn months so check out my Instagram page “Maria Tait Nutrition” to grab your seasonal recipes.
I also believe if you are feeling lower than usual and you are looking to gain the most from the winter months then optimise your nutrient intake via supplements.
We need to keep up the vitamin D so email me for your order today.
3 months supply of the highest quality vitamin D sent directly to you.
£23.00 for all readers quoting this blog in their email.
Alternatively…
Email direct for some more healthy food plans.
Have a great day
Friendly Family Nutrition
Maria
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