Baked Goods Winter Self-Care Part II: Tips to Improve Mood

Winter can disrupt our daily lives with physical and mental changes! This is a two-part series from Baked Goods on keeping yourself healthy and happy during the snowy season. 

In our previous Baked Goods blog post, we discussed battling joint pain in the wintertime. Another thing we must prioritize for self-care is our mental health.

If you’ve been struggling with low mood this winter, keep in mind that the lack of sunshine can affect mood and stress levels. Some scientists theorize that low serotonin levels can potentially trigger mood swings; coincidentally, vitamin D deficiency is linked to low amounts of serotonin. In fact, “The long winters in Canada and lack of exposure to the sun contribute to lower levels of [vitamin D insufficiency] among Canadians in late winter and spring,” says a Canadian Family Physician article.

If you can’t seem to shake off the winter blues or handle stress lately, here are some tips:

• Consider purchasing a light therapy lamp. “In people who respond well to light therapy, depression symptoms usually start improving within a week, and the side effects, which include eye strain and headaches, are uncommon and mild,” confirms Harvard Health Publishing.
• Look into vitamin D supplementation. Regular exposure to sunshine helps the body produce vitamin D. Your local pharmacist or health store can recommend suitable supplementation in the form of tablets, capsules, or liquid.
• Explore the benefits of CBD. It’s posited that CBD-dominant products might reduce inflammation encompassing the brain and nerves, which could decline anxiety levels. If you’re new to CBD, click here to read our beginner’s guide. 
• Arrange for social activities. Being isolated can lower your mood and cause stress. So why not invite some friends over or make weekly arrangements? You can exercise as a group in the gym, host a paint night, or cook a nutritious meal together!

If you need further help with your mood, we urge you to speak to a healthcare provider to address underlying issues. And if you’re interested in taking CBD or other supplements, please discuss this with your doctor or pharmacist to avoid medication interactions.

Do you want to learn how other people use CBD? Click here to meet some of our Baked Goods CBD customers – then head to our online shop to place an order!

NOTE: This article is not an alternative to formal medical advice and should not be relied on for diagnosing or treating your health condition or concerns. This post is published solely for the purpose of education. Please see your healthcare provider if you have concerns about your wellness or visit a nearby hospital if you require emergency help. 

Sources

https://www.colorado.edu/today/2024/02/27/cbd-shown-ease-anxiety-without-risks-can-come-thc

https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-D

Bidwell LC, Martin-Willett R, Skrzynski C, Lisano J, Ortiz Torres M, Giordano G, Hutchison KE, Bryan AD. Acute and Extended Anxiolytic Effects of Cannabidiol in Cannabis Flower: A Quasi-Experimental ad libitum Use Study. Cannabis Cannabinoid Res. 2024 Aug;9(4):1015-1027. doi: 10.1089/can.2023.0187. Epub 2024 Jan 22. PMID: 38252547; PMCID: PMC11392455.

Melas, P. A., Scherma, M., Fratta, W., Cifani, C., & Fadda, P. (2021). Cannabidiol as a Potential Treatment for Anxiety and Mood Disorders: Molecular Targets and Epigenetic Insights from Preclinical Research. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 22(4), 1863. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22041863

Schwalfenberg, G. (2007). Not enough vitamin D: Health consequences for Canadians. Canadian Family Physician, 53(5), 841. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1949171/

Wang, J., Wei, Z., Yao, N., Li, C., & Sun, L. (2023). Association Between Sunlight Exposure and Mental Health: Evidence from a Special Population Without Sunlight in Work. Risk Management and Healthcare Policy, 16, 1049. https://doi.org/10.2147/RMHP.S420018