Why do November and December suck sometimes?

Do you tend to notice that your mood dips a bit this time of year? Do you feel sleepier? Less motivated? Let's talk about that.

Here in Iowa, we start getting a lot less sunlight once November rolls around. This causes Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is necessary for the creation of your “happy hormones” like seratonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. If Vitamin D supply is low, so is your supply of these. This makes you feel sluggish, less motivated, and a little depressed. In more extreme cases, it can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder, or S.A.D.

You can combat this by taking Vitamin D supplements, using light therapy lamps, and getting more frequent adjustments. Vitamin D supplements directly replace the lost supply. Light therapy lamps cue our bodies to turn the Vitamin D in your body into the “happy hormones”. Adjustments allow your brain to have more accurate measure of the levels of Vitamin D and hormones in your body and use the Vitamin D you have more efficiently. As a house-call chiropractor, I'm here to help you fit those adjustments in to your schedule and budget. I can also help you check your Vitamin D levels and recommend some light therapy lamps.

What about the holidays? “It's the most wonderful time of the year”, right? I love Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are hands down my favorite holidays. I Am A Christmas Girlie, OK? Not everyone is though. Families are complicated. You may be grieving a loss. Gifts and baking treats can be a strain on tight budgets. It is ok if you struggle with pulling off the “perfect” holiday for whatever reason. Again, adjustments can help make sure your brain is as healthy as possible to help combat this. The best way to combat this is to give yourself grace. Don't compare yourself to others. However you celebrate is perfect.

If you are living your best life right now, relish this time. Soak up every second. If you are struggling a little, I see you. It's ok. You are doing great!