Most of us know the feeling of fall & winter fatigue — the clocks are set back, the cold weather starts to creep in, and all you want to do is crawl into bed and get cozy. You need some natural ways to boost energy!
This isn’t just your imagination making you feel more tired. It’s actually your body and brain reacting to the changing season.
When it’s darker outside thanks to the position of the sun and our changing clocks, our bodies produce more of a hormone called melatonin, which is what makes us feel drowsy & sleepy [1].
This change in the season and our hormone levels can also affect mood and overall energy levels, making you feel lethargic during the day and impact your sleep patterns at night.
Short of chugging caffeine or energy drinks loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients, what can you do to gain some of that energy back this fall and winter?
In this post, we’re going over three natural ways to boost energy. Let’s get started!
1. Hydration
Did you know that one of the first signs of dehydration is fatigue?
About 50 to 60 percent of our entire body weight is water — that’s how important it is! We use water to absorb & use nutrients, aid in cell & organ function, carry out processes like sweating, urination, and even breathing [2].
So, when we are dehydrated, our body feels weaker & fatigued because it can’t perform everything it needs to without a proper supply of water. Combine this with the fall & winter fatigue and you have a recipe for disrupted sleep patterns and lethargy.
Especially since when the weather isn’t as hot and humid like it is during the summer, many people find that they’re not drinking as much water. In fact, it’s estimated that our thirst response is decreased by 40 percent in the winter months (even if we’re dehydrated!), making it even easier to become dehydrated [3].
That’s why it’s so important to hydrate! On average, adults should be drinking between 2.7 and 3.7 liters of water each day [4].
Avoid food and drinks that can cause further dehydration like coffee, caffeinated tea, soda, alcohol, salty foods, and energy drinks.
That being said, you don’t have to limit yourself to plain water, either! Caffeine-free teas (like our all-natural & organic mushroom teas) are great hydrators with awesome nutrient-packed mushrooms built right in. A nice warm drink is the perfect boost on a cold fall morning, too.
2. Medicinal Mushrooms
Speaking of mushrooms…
Medicinal mushrooms have been used for thousands of years for their amazing nutrients, adaptogens, and, yes, their energy boosting qualities!
Chaga mushroom, in particular, is highly revered as a natural energy booster. One lab study found that chaga mushrooms boost both energy and endurance, thus identifying chaga as a folk remedy to naturally combat physical fatigue [5].
As the seasons change, this makes mushrooms a great way to ground yourself and handle the change in temperature, sunlight, and season.
Many medicinal mushrooms, including chaga, reishi, and lion’s mane, have been shown to help support immune system function thanks to their high concentrations of vitamins, antioxidants, and adaptogens [6 and 7]. An immune system boost via medicinal mushrooms can give you a little pick-me-up to feel stronger and more energized. Learn more about mushroom tea benefits here!
3. B & D Vitamins
Another result of the reduced sunlight exposure during the fall and winter months is vitamin D deficiency. Anywhere between 50 to 90 percent of vitamin D is absorbed through sunlight [7].
Reduced sunlight, therefore, can often lead to vitamin D deficiency that, you guessed it, can lead to lethargy, fatigue, and weakness [8]. With over one billion people vitamin D deficient worldwide, it’s a common problem for many [9].
Taking a vitamin D supplement or multivitamin can help you get your levels back on track and boost your energy. Foods containing high amounts of vitamin D include eggs, fish, and fortified dairy or plant milk.
Mushroom tea is a great option for boosting your vitamin D levels, especially mushroom teas containing chaga mushroom, as many medicinal mushrooms are packed with vitamin D. When you source quality, local and organic medicinal mushrooms that are sun-dried, the presence and our ability to naturally absorb and benefit from the vitamin D also increases.
Vitamin B is another one to pay attention to. B vitamins have been shown to help boost energy levels and reduce fatigue; having low amounts of B vitamins is also linked to lower energy levels and increased fatigue [10].
Consuming foods and drinks with high levels of B vitamins is another great way to get that energy boost. Some options include:
- Dark green vegetables (kale, broccoli, etc)
- Whole grains
- Beans & lentils
- Nuts & seeds
- Maitake mushroom
- Chaga mushroom tea
Natural Ways to Boost Your Energy This Fall & Winter — Bottom Line
As the seasons change, so do the needs of our bodies. Using a few of these natural ways to boost your energy is a great way to listen to your body, understand what it needs, and supply it with healthy & natural energy that will benefit you all season long.
The studies above point to how the amazing medicinal mushrooms used in our teas contain the vitamins and nutrients that may boost energy, immune system, and more (for example, cite 1).
Our mushroom teas are also 100% organic, caffeine-free, and free of any additives, ensuring you really are getting a natural energy boost in line with the true tradition of medicinal mushroom tea.
