Let’s call it what it is. Winter doesn’t just bring cold fingers and (In some cases) questionable outfit choices — it can quietly hijack your mood, energy, libido, motivation, and sense of joy.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) isn’t about being “dramatic” or “bad at winter”. It’s a real, biological response to reduced daylight, disrupted circadian rhythms, and nervous system dysregulation. And if you feel flatter, foggier, more irritable, or like you’re moving through treacle from November to March — you’re not broken.
You’re human.
Welcome to the magic of not giving a flying f**k, so ignore everything you think you know and treat your mood like the sacred ritual it is.
What Is SAD, Really? At its core, SAD is linked to:
· Reduced exposure to natural daylight
· Lower serotonin (your feel-good neurotransmitter)
· Disrupted melatonin (your sleep hormone)
· Vitamin D depletion
· A nervous system stuck in low-power mode
Translation? Your body is struggling to remember that life is still liveable when the sun clocks off at 3:57pm. But here’s the thing — you can work with your biology, not against it.
Step One: Light Is Medicine (Yes, Really)
Red Light Therapy: Your Winter Sun Substitute
Red and near-infrared light therapy has quietly become a modern wellness essential and for good reason.
Why it works:
· Stimulates mitochondria (aka your cellular energy factories)
· Supports serotonin production
· Helps regulate circadian rhythm
· Can improve mood, energy, sleep and skin (we love a multitasker)
Unlike harsh overhead lighting or doom-scrolling in bed, red light signals safety to your nervous system.
How to use it:
· Morning exposure (5–15 minutes) to anchor your day
· Or early evening to gently support mood without wrecking sleep
· Consistency > intensity
Think of it as your sunlight substitute till mid-march. Interested in RLT? Red Light Therapy Use code LAURA for 15% off.
Step Two: Scent Your Way Back to Yourself
Aromatherapy as a Mood Intervention. Smell is the fastest way to change how you feel — no affirmations required.
Essential oils work directly on the limbic system, the part of the brain responsible for mood, memory and emotion. Which means aromatherapy isn’t “woo” — it’s neuroscience in a glass bottle.
Mood-boosting heroes:
· Bergamot – uplifting, anxiety-soothing, emotionally warming
· Sweet Orange – joyful, playful, serotonin-supportive
· Frankincense – grounding, centring, nervous system calming
· Rose – emotionally regulating, heart-opening, deeply comforting
· Black Spruce or Fir – restorative, confidence-boosting, winter forest energy
Our recommendation would be our AM & PM concept oil set ELEVATE & SERENE, the ultimate combination to uplift your mood from AM to PM this winter.
Ritual > routine:
· Diffuse in the morning while getting ready.
· Inhale deeply before work.
· Scent your evening wind-down like you mean it.
· This is self-regulation that feels indulgent, not clinical.
Step Three: Supplement Strategically (Not Randomly)
We’re not here for supplement roulette. If winter hits your mood, energy or motivation, these are the science-backed mood supporters worth knowing about:
Mood stacking, The Modern Hedonist way. Lets start by saying, the below may not be for YOU. Always seek your doctor’s advice, or take the initiative, get a blood test for potential deficiencies and always remember, if you don’t know enough, do not take it. We want all our modern hedonist to be their best selves, so just be responsible for what you put in your body and do it the right way, not what click bate suggests. Yes, I went there, YOU ARE WELCOME.
· Vitamin D3 + K2
Essential for mood, immunity and hormone health — especially in darker months.
· Magnesium (Glycinate or Threonate)
Calms the nervous system, supports sleep and reduces anxiety-driven fatigue.
· Omega-3s (EPA/DHA)
Linked to improved mood, reduced inflammation and brain health.
· B-Complex (especially B6 & B12)
Supports energy production and neurotransmitter synthesis.
· Adaptogens (Ashwagandha, Rhodiola)
Help the body cope with stress and emotional load — choose based on whether you feel wired or wiped.
Step Four: Romance the Nervous System
SAD isn’t just about light — it’s about safety.
Winter can push us into survival mode: rushing, isolating, numbing out. The antidote? Small, consistent signals that tell your body you are held.
Try:
· Morning light + scent before checking your phone
· Walking outdoors even when it’s grey (nature still counts)
· Warm meals, warm baths, warm lighting
· Music that feels expansive, not aggressive
· Saying no sooner, resting earlier, wanting more
This is not laziness. This is regulation.
Final Thought: You’re Not Meant to White-Knuckle Winter.
The modern world asks us to perform at the same speed, output and brightness year-round — but your nervous system didn’t get that memo. Seasonal shifts are natural. Suffering through them is not.
Light, scent, nourishment and ritual aren’t luxuries — they’re tools. And taking enjoyment in those isn’t a distraction from healing. It’s often the doorway.
This winter, don’t just survive, THRIVE.
Love Laura x
