Feeling melancholy in the winter, and don't know why? Seasonal Affective Disorder is a common issue. A type of depression that comes and goes in a seasonal cycle, often in winter, SAD symptoms can include a persistent low mood along with lethargy, food cravings and increased irritability.
Some experts believe it's the changes in our body's internal clock that causes SAD to occur around the same time each year, while others believe it's a a lack of the sunshine vitamin D, which is harder to get through the skin in the winter. Either way, it's a problem for many men and women the world over.
SAD, like any mental health problem, is a tough battle. However, we can adjust our diets to give ourselves a fighting chance.
Harvard University (opens in new tab) found omega-3 fatty acids, which are common in oily fish, can help us battle mental health disorders and boost our mood. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to work on two fronts, reducing inflammation and interacting with the molecules in our brain that control mood, to help us feel better. This is why oily fish like tuna and salmon are known as "brain food".
An extra helping of dietary vitamin D, which we're not getting enough of through sunlight, can also help balance our mood. A study of diabetic women in the Journal of Diabetes Research (opens in new tab) found participants who took vitamin D supplements reported a significant decrease in the symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Vitamin D can be found in egg yolks, oily fish, and red meat. You can also artificially enrich mushrooms with vitamin D by leaving them on the windowsill for a few hours, where they will soak in the sun's rays and transfer those benefits to you.
“Mushrooms are neglected at our peril in the fruit and veg rainbow we are encouraged to eat," says author and nutritionist Amelia Freer (opens in new tab).
"High in antioxidants, they’re commonly overlooked as a significant source of the sunshine vitamin D. If you can’t get your hands on already vitamin D-enriched mushrooms and can only find regular mushrooms, here’s a little tip: place them on the window sill on a sunny day and in as little as an hour or two they become a rich source of vitamin D - magic.”
Gut health can also play a big role in mental health. High-fibre foods, such as whole grain breads, rolled oats, nuts and seeds, play a role alongside prebiotic and probiotic foods such as yoghurts and fermented foods like sourdough bread, kimchi cabbage and kombucha tea. These are all essential for encouraging a healthy gut, according to BMI Healthcare (opens in new tab).
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