Goodbye winter blues, hello spring! Do you have a bad case of the winter blues? Don’t worry, you are not alone. The seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects more than 1 in 3 people a year in Australia. 35% of people say they feel more down and depressed in winter than in the warmer months. Luckily, spring has arrived and has been voted Australia's favourite season. So, we have put together our five top tips on how to get out of your winter slump and say hello to spring! 

 

1. Eat Well

Statistics tell us that 47% of Australians suffer an increased tendency to overeat in winter, with more than 2 in 5 experiencing a craving for carbohydrates (43%) and sweet foods (43%). We believe your body deserves to be nourished with real, whole foods because food is fuel and what’s inside matters. This spring, swap out foods with high carbohydrates with foods containing high protein to prevent sugar and cravings later in the day. 

Looking for foods high in protein? We recommend trying our delicious  Korean Sesame Chicken and Broccoli meal (45g of protein in a large meal!), our home-cooked tasting Off The Bone Lamb Shanks (43g of protein in a large meal!), or our mouth-watering Pulled Barbeque Brisket (a whopping 48g of protein in a large meal!). 

Why choose Nourish’d high protein meals? Not only do they taste DELICIOUS, but they can also increase muscle mass and aid in training recovery, boost metabolism and increase fat burning, help to lower blood pressure and maintain weight, and are great for both health and strength!

We also recommend foods high in vitamin D such as milk, orange juice, yogurt, and cereal. Are you dairy free? Instead of consuming foods containing dairy, we recommend trying to increase your time outside in the sun (P.S. don’t forget to slip, slap, and slop!) Research shows that people with low vitamin D levels are more susceptible to depression than those with high vitamin D levels.

 

2. Move Your Body 

Have you ever hugged a puppy and instantly felt warm, happy, and fuzzy inside? That my friend is called oxytocin. Oxytocin is known as a happy hormone that is released by the pituitary gland. Oxytocin is most noted to be released during actions like hugging, kissing, and cuddling. However, what if we told you that you could get that same feeling from exercising? 

Exercise such as running has been found to lead to a rapid increase in oxytocin, not to mention all the other physical and mental health benefits you will reap from exercising! So next time you are dreading going to the gym or that group fitness class, just remember how good you will feel afterwards! Going outside, even for just a few minutes, can make a world of difference in your mood! 

 

3. Surround Yourself with Good People 

During winter, it's very common for us to experience a reduced social life and participate in fewer interactions which may then lead to seasonal affective disorder or depression. We suggest surrounding yourself with good people this spring! Doing small things from talking on the phone with a friend, grabbing a cup of coffee with a co-worker, or having a concert in the car with your kids can all increase your mood. 

 

4. Manage Your Screen Time

Put that phone down! We don’t want to scare you, but have you ever checked your screen time on your phone? Go check it now, you’ll thank us later. Australians aged 25-34 spend roughly 7.5 hours per day on their mobile device. 7.5 HOURS!

That is 7.5 hours of your life that you will never get back. Instead of scrolling through TikTok or Facebook on your phone, we recommend spending time with your loved ones, exercising, and just living your best life! Trust me, your best life is not flicking through the Gram. 

 

5. Get Fresh Air + Sunshine 

Last, but certainly not least, go outside and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine! Being in the sunshine helps balance serotonin levels, increases melanin production, balances your circadian rhythm, and increases vitamin D levels. Now what are you waiting for, go outside!

 

How Nourish'd Can Help!

We hope that our five tips help you get over that winter slump! If you are looking to fuel your body the way it deserves, check out our 100% preservative and gluten-free menu filled with meals containing no hidden nasties, leaving you feeling energised and ready to be the best version of yourself this spring! Our 60+ rotating menu can be found here. Orders close at 5 pm AEST every Thursday. Your future self will thank you later!