It's Not Just The Weather
I can feel winter coming.
And if I’m honest, I don't always welcome it.
My body loves warmth. Long days, the ocean, the heat, being outside without thinking about it.
Then suddenly, the seasons shift almost overnight, and we’re grabbing extra layers, chasing patches of sun during the day, and getting home in the dark.
I know there’s a natural rhythm to it all, but I still find the adjustment hard because our routines start to shift without us really noticing. It’s easy to blame the weather, the cold, the rain, the grey skies.
But the truth is, winter doesn’t just change our environment. It rewires our biology, our habits and behaviour all at once.
Brain Chemistry Shifts
One of the biggest changes happens behind the scenes.
With less sunlight, our bodies produce less serotonin, the chemical that helps regulate mood, calmness, and a general sense of wellbeing. At the same time, melatonin increases, which makes you feel more sleepy.
So if you’re feeling a bit flatter or slower, it’s not just in your head.
Your body is responding to the season.
You Move Less Without Realising It
In summer, movement happens naturally.
You walk more, get outside more, and generally feel more active.
In winter, that starts to disappear.
Not because you’ve suddenly become lazy, but it’s colder, it’s darker and everything feels like more effort.
Less movement means lower dopamine, which affects motivation and mood. And that creates a subtle loop:
less movement → lower mood → even less movement
You’re Indoors More Than You Think
Winter naturally pulls us inside.
We spend more time under artificial light or on screens. We get less fresh air, less natural light on our skin and in our eyes. We spend more time sitting down, and even though these shifts feel normal, they impact our focus, our sleep quality, and our overall energy.
It’s a subtle drain that builds over time because cold, wind, and rain don’t just affect our mood, they affect our behaviour.
The things we found simple in the summer months, like leaving the house, going for a walk or visitIng the gym, now come with added friction.
Your Body Might Be Slowing You Down on Purpose
There’s a deeper layer to this.
Humans didn't evolve in climate-controlled comfort with supermarkets, electric lights, and year-round productivity demands.
Colder, darker seasons meant conserving energy. Resting more. Eating more warming, nutrient-dense foods. Moving differently.
Modern life doesn’t pause for winter, but your biology still leans in that direction.
Part of you is trying to slow down.
That doesn’t mean we give up on movement, discipline, or looking after ourselves. It means we stop pretending winter is summer with a jacket on.
Winter asks for a different rhythm.
So Why Do You Feel Worse?
Because winter isn’t one problem.
It’s a stack of small changes:
Biological.
Behavioural.
Environmental.
Each one on its own is manageable. But together, they change how you feel day to day.
Once you understand that, you can start preparing properly.
How I'm Approaching Winter This Year
For me, this year is about anticipating the change, rather than resisting it. Getting prepared in ways that actually make winter feel good.
Pulling out the merino gloves and hats. Investing in warm layers that make being outside easier.
Stocking the freezer with slow-cooked cuts of meat. Planning meals I can throw on in the morning and come home to at night.
Getting daylight when I can, especially in the morning.
Making sure I’m maintaining my nutrition with simple, nutrient-dense food and my organ supplements that keep me feeling steady.
Incorporating movement, even when it’s short and imperfect.
Finding things to look forward to, maybe even a ski trip with friends, leaning into what winter does offer instead of wishing it away.
Because maybe the shift isn’t something to fight. Maybe it’s something to work with.
Winter changes the conditions. So this year, I’m changing the way I support myself through it.
