Mood-boosting, energy-pumping vitamins and supplements

As the nights get longer and the days shorter, many of us start to feel a little low. We spend less time outside being active and may turn to more comfort food as the weather gets colder.

Neuroscientists say that reduced level of sunlight in fall and winter may cause a change in mood.  The decrease in sunlight may disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression.

Focusing on getting a good night’s sleep; some form of daily exercise and a healthy diet can be the best way to boost your mood. There are, however, several vitamins and supplements that will also benefit!

Chronic stress depletes those important eight B vitamins like crazy.  Thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12) all have unique functions.

By taking a B-complex vitamin daily over a period of time, studies have shown that it can lift your spirits, improve your cognitive performance, reduce fatigue and banish brain fog that all sit alongside stress.

Elevate your mood with a burst of vitamin C every day. This essential vitamin cannot be produced by your body; yet it has many roles and has been linked to impressive health benefits.

By adding a Vitamin C supplement to your diet you are helping your body to lower your blood pressure.  A Vitamin C supplement can also improve how your body absorbs iron which will prevent that tired achy feeling.

This mineral can improve your sleep, memory and mood.  It has long been considered as a key mineral for better brain function and is regarded as the ‘anti-stress’ mineral because it works to calm the nerves and relax the muscles so you’ll sleep like a baby.

Getting enough magnesium is vital for maintaining good health and ensuring your body functions at its optimal level.  Using a supplement is a quick way of ensuring your body maintains healthy levels of magnesium especially if your diet doesn’t include magnesium-rich foods.

Also known as the ‘sunshine vitamin’, vitamin D is created in your body when you are exposed to direct UV sunlight. Vitamin D, actually a hormone, supports adrenal health and can play a vital role in managing your stress levels and mood.

As a nation, we spend much more time indoors than our Mediterranean friends, meaning we don’t get as much sunlight as we need, so we often need to use a supplement to provide that much needed boost.

Iron is the ‘little carrier’ that transports oxygen around your body to support muscle strength and boost your energy levels. Low iron levels can leave you feeling exhausted.  When left untreated it can cause anaemia, anxiety, irritability, low mood and even affect your ability to concentrate on the littlest of tasks.

Iron supplements are a good way to regulate your iron levels and make you feel more positive and less tired. Take your iron supplement on an empty stomach with water.

Among their benefits, these anti-inflammatory fish oils can help manage mental stress and your adrenal response. These fatty acids also help keep your skin healthy, preventing premature ageing and safeguarding against sun damage. If you don’t eat a lot of oily fish, then now is the time to an omega-3 supplement to your diet.