Seasonal Depression aka SAD // What are we dealing with here?

By Elizabeth Woodard | Culinary Director of Nest

The days are getting shorter, it's getting dark faster, and Daylight Savings is just around the corner on November 7. This can lead to an overall lack of energy, feelings of depression and helplessness, lessened interest, and a feeling of social isolation. On a biochemical level, these responses come from an imbalance in the brain of serotonin, dopamine, melatonin, and CRH (corticotropin releasing hormone). Throw in stress and cortisol during the holidays and you may just want to call it quits and sleep through the winter.

When there is less exposure to sunlight during the winter, our brain produces melatonin sooner and our serotonin levels drop. It’s hard to help yourself out of these moods when they are being stimulated internally and you cant see them. It’s like trying to fight an army with a blindfold on. But, don’t worry - all of us at Nurture and Nest are here to help!

Nest’s new Pumpkin Pie Smoothie not only elevates your mood with the holiday flavor (and let's face it, who doesn't want to have pie all the tim?e) but we have also added Rhodiola, a root clinically proven to help fight depression. The smoothie also contains cinnamon and nutmeg to help balance blood sugar, which mitigates anxiety, and it contains pecans, which are a great source of healthy fat for the brain!