New Series: Surviving the Seasons - Virginia Edition

Mar 11

Getting Through to Spring: 5 Tips for Keeping Your Mood Up

By East Asian standards, we’re in early spring (aka Second Winter). I know—it’s sleeting, there’s snow on the ground, and it doesn’t feel like spring. But underground, plants are stirring, bugs are coming to life, and animals are becoming more active. Maybe you’re feeling that energy, too.

In East Asian Medicine, spring is the Wood season—growth, direction, and renewal. But we aren’t quite there yet. Right now, we’re in that awkward dance between the stasis of winter and the movement of spring. This transition can actually make your mood worse before it gets better, a rough time for people who experience seasonal depression. Maybe you’re feeling crankier, colder, more lethargic—or just fully blah.

Here are some simple ways to make it through:

☀️ Get Some Vitamin D

Lay in the sun like a cat. Vitamin D levels tend to drop during the dark months, so soaking up some sunshine can help. You can also boost your levels with foods like eggs, tuna, oily fish, and fortified dairy or non-dairy products (look for “with Vitamin D” on the label). Not sure if you’re low? Zac offers lab tests to check if supplementation would be a good fit.

😎 Forget the Sunglasses (Sometimes)

Take advantage of natural light—open the blinds, get outside when you can, and skip the sunglasses when possible. Sunlight in your eyes boosts serotonin, the neurotransmitter responsible for mood regulation.

🚶‍♀️ Gentle Movement

Get that energy moving in your system, not stagnating and making you cranky. On nicer days, take a 20-minute walk and combine tips #1 & #2. Try some gentle yoga (No classes with “power,” “hot,” or “bootcamp” in the title). Yoga with Adriene on YouTube is a great home-practice option. And if you still want to cocoon on the couch afterward? That’s fine, too.

🧣 Stay Cozy

Even as it starts to warm up, don’t rush to ditch your jacket. It is not shorts weather yet. A light jacket or scarf can help keep your circulation strong and your body warm during this transition.

🌬️ Breathe & Tune In

We can’t flip a switch from winter to spring—nature slowly awakens, and so do we. On tough days, remind yourself: This isn’t forever. A simple way to check in is to pause, take a deep breath in and release slowly, and ask: What do I need right now? Then honor that, whether it’s rest, movement, or something else.

And if you need extra support, the team at AIH is here to help:

See Beth for a Classic Revive IV Cocktail packed with B vitamins to lift your energy.
Work with Zac to address any underlying deficiencies through holistic wellness visits.
Try acupuncture with Alex—there are treatments designed specifically for this seasonal transition.