Top 5 Cures for Winter Depression

TOP 5 Cures for Winter Depression 
#1 Eat protein before noon. 
Researchers believe that keeping seratonin at healthy levels can alleviate depression, as well as obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, panic, and even excess anger.  Eating protein in the moring ensures that our bodies have the building blocks needed to make the amino acid tryptophan, a precursor to serotonin.  Tryptophan works best when consumed in conjunction with a small bit of carbohydrate, such as a scoop of quinoa, a handful of nuts, or a few tablespoons of vegetables.   High protein breakfast ideas.
#2 Supplement vitamin D-3, magnesium, B-complex, and fish oil.  Adding these supplements to your routine in the dark months of winter can do much to alleviate symptoms of depression.  Exposuring skin to the sun throughout the winter in northern climates is nearly impossible.  Vitamin D3 is a fat-soluable vitamin that requires a synthesis from exposure to sunlight as well as intake from the diet.  Salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna and eggs are good sources of vitamin D3, as are beef and liver.  Vegetarians are more prone to D3 deficiency. 

#3 Drink sunny tea & take herbs. Drinking a daily tea of flowers can bring a little sunshine into your home in the winter.  I recommend making a tea blend of equal parts of chamomile, lemon balm, and linden.  Steep four tablespoons of the blend in a quart of hot water, cover, and set aside for 20-30 minutes.  Strain and drinking warm flower tea throughout the day.  Following this method is an excellent way to improve sleep, reduce stress, and uplift your mood throughout the winter months.  Herbs such as St. John's Wort (see below) and Albizzia flower are also benefitial for low-level depression.  Learn more about natural support for depression, anxiety, or sleep issues.

#4 Learn to love outdoor exercise.  Fresh air and exercise have both been shown to improve symptoms of minor depression.  Combine the two with outdoor exercise.  Hike Oaks Botton or Forest Park, climb Mt. Tabor, walk to a yoga class, ride your bike to the grocery store, run the stairs up to your home, or take your dog out for a game of frisbee.  If you already exercise at a health club, make a point to take a few laps around the block as a warm up for your class or work out.  Most of all, get outside, breath deeply, have fun, and dress for the weather!

#5 Practice gratitude.  Studies from practice of positive psychology show that there is a huge benefit to keeping a journal by your bed and recording what you are grateful for every night.  Doing this for a week can cause improvement of mood for six months!  There are two parts to this practice: feeling grateful and expressing it.  What are you grateful for?        (From Daily Nectar)