With a crisp chill in the air and shorter days ahead, we’ve left the vibrant end of summer behind. Brisk winds and cozy nights are just around the corner. While some might enjoy all the whimsy of the winter season, it’s no secret that our bodies need some extra care during the colder months. Taking time for selfcare will give you the whole body support you need to thrive throughout the season. Check out these tips for keeping your energy up, even when it’s gloomy out.

Tips for fighting occasional cold weather fatigue

Get more sunlight

When the days are shorter, one of the main reasons for the wintery blues is less sunshine exposure, which can easily disrupt your sleep cycle. In addition, the drop in vitamin D allows your brain to increase melatonin production, which makes us feel groggy and tired during waking hours. One simple way to promote feeling energized and awake is to get more sunlight; at least 10-20 minutes a day of morning sunlight is best. So, open your curtains bright and early and take your #hotgirlwalk first thing in the morning when you wake up.

Exercise

This is your sign to move every day! When it gets dark early, and the weather is cold, our bodies may naturally want to cozy up under a blanket. However, hibernating inside can cause us to start feeling more tired than usual. Instead, enjoy the fresh air while taking a walk, do some restorative yoga, or simply do a light workout at home.

Exercise delivers a boost of oxygen to your lungs and helps keep the heart healthy. When your heart and lung health improve, you have more energy throughout the day. Aim for 30 minutes a day. You can be active in the mornings or try the afternoon to beat a midday energy dip.

Focus on your diet

By no surprise, the food we eat has a huge impact on our energy levels. So during the hibernating season, focus on whole-body nutrition and mindful eating throughout the winter months to increase your energy. Try snacking on nutrient-rich foods like grains, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, radish, berries, and nuts. Keeping your body well-nourished will give you the energy you need while supporting your immune system. Another protip — try eating the rainbow, which means making sure you see an assortment of colors like heirloom tomatoes, mixed greens, blueberries, and beets on your plate.

Don’t skip breakfast

Since we’re talking about food, don’t forget the most important meal of the day! A well-balanced breakfast with a mix of protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats is key to replenishing energy levels after a night’s sleep. Think something simple like avocado on whole grain toast with a poached egg. If you’re in a rush, try a smoothie that balances protein and fats instead of something like a sugary breakfast cereal. That’s just going to give you a sugar crash shortly afterward rather than give you energy all day.

Take a probiotic

If you often experience tiredness, you may have an imbalanced gut flora. Probiotics can help promote digestive function and help you feel more energized. Your gut flora is connected to your mood health, weight management, and immune function. All of this essentially means you need to keep your good gut bacteria happy and balanced. To keep gut health in top shape, try eating foods with probiotics like yogurt, sauerkraut, or kimchi. You can also try Hair La Vie’s Foundation Collagen Elixir. The refreshing honeydew-flavored drink mix provides a much-needed dose of immunity-supporting vitamin C, blue spirulina, nourishing ginger, rejuvenating collagen, and gut-balancing, revitalizing prebiotics.

Stay hydrated

When it’s chilly, you’ll naturally be drawn to a warm beverage like coffee or tea, but don’t forget it’s important to drink plenty of water throughout the day — even on cold days. Your body needs to be properly hydrated to function. Dehydration can often be the culprit behind everyday brain fog and common headaches, and our body can feel sluggish and fatigued. For a quick charge of energy, skip the third coffee and drink water.

Sometimes chugging plain water all day long can feel boring, so swap one glass of water with Hair La Vie’s Foundation Collagen Elixir. It’ll hydrate you and add a quick dose of healthy and energizing nutrients. You can also stay hydrated by eating fruits with high water content, like melon and celery, adding coconut water to your smoothies, and using a humidifier in your home.

Try light therapy

Light therapy, sometimes referred to as a sun lamp, is used to boost your mood and energy levels. The winter blues can be more dramatic for those in the northern hemisphere, and they’re brought on by a lack of exposure to natural light during the shorter, darker days of fall or winter. The sun lamp works by giving you a dose of artificial light that mimics the effects of longer, sunnier days. Just 20-30 minutes of diffused light can be beneficial.

Get a good night’s sleep

Most people need around seven to nine hours of sleep every night. However, with our busy lives, that can be hard to come by. So, what can you do? One thing you can do is create a rest routine. Keep the bedroom quiet, dark, and cool. Try to avoid scrolling through your blue light devices, which can disrupt sleepiness. It's best to stick to the same bedtime and waking schedule to avoid sleep debt at the end of the week. Make sure you get your beauty rest, and you’ll wake up renewed.

Take away

Just because you turn back the clocks doesn’t mean your energy levels have to fall backward. The cozy times of the year can be great excuses to hibernate and be less active, but you need lasting energy to thrive and be your best self. By keeping these lifestyle habits in check, you’ll be empowered and charged to take on anything that comes your way this season.