Therapies for Winter Recovery

Restore Hyper Wellness Writer
Restore Hyper Wellness Writer
7 minute read
January 29, 2025
Man tries Infrared Sauna for winter recovery at Restore Hyper Wellness


The winter months usually mean colder weather, shorter days and less sunlight. All of these seasonal changes can impact mood, energy levels and even emotional well-being.

Whether you’re feeling like you have a case of the winter blues or have been diagnosed with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), prioritizing your well-being by incorporating science-backed therapies into your winter routine can help build physical and emotional resilience.

What is Seasonal Affective Disorder?

It’s not unusual to feel a case of the “winter blues” as the days get shorter, but when symptoms are more serious and last for several weeks or months, this is referred to as SAD, a form of depression that affects between 1- 10% of people around the world. 

Common symptoms of SAD include: 

  • Changes in appetite or weight
  • Sleep problems
  • Feeling sad, anxious or agitated 
  • Low energy
  • Trouble concentrating 
  • Physical aches and pains

While there is no exact “cause” of seasonal affective disorder, studies have found that those who experience it may have lower levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which is responsible for mood regulation. Serotonin levels are also affected by sunlight, so lack of sun exposure and shorter days may reduce serotonin levels. 

Vitamin D—which helps to promote serotonin activity—is produced when exposed to sunlight, so less light during the winter months may lower Vitamin D levels and serotonin production. The combination of these hormonal shifts during the winter months may affect your mood, sleep patterns and energy levels

Science-Backed Therapies for Winter Recovery

If you’re experiencing the winter blues or SAD, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider and practice healthy lifestyle habits. Along with a nutritious diet and regular exercise, there are also science-backed therapies that can help reduce symptoms and improve your overall well-being. 

Red Light Therapy

Woman getting red light therapy at Restore Hype Wellness
Red Light Therapy

Red Light Therapy uses low levels of red and near-infrared light, absorbed by the mitochondria in your body, the “powerhouse” of your cells responsible for many important processes in your day-to-day health.

Along with improving skin health, promoting healing, reducing inflammation and boosting energy levels, Red Light Therapy has also been found to reduce the incidence and severity of SAD and has been shown to effectively boost serotonin levels and ease depression symptoms

Infrared Sauna

Regular Infrared Sauna sessions can help improve circulation, muscle recovery, stress reduction and relaxation, pain treatment, strengthened immunity and better sleep.

This therapy has also been found to help reduce depression symptoms and improve overall mental well-being. Whereas traditional saunas rely on higher temperatures for surface heat, Infrared Saunas expose your skin to infrared light waves that increase air temperature and heat your body. This allows you to sweat without overheating at lower temperatures and may help you naturally detox.

Vitamin D IM Shots

One of the most important nutrients to focus on during the winter months—and throughout the year—is Vitamin D due to its key role in fighting infections, calcium absorption and energy levels.

Did you know that because Vitamin D is created from sunlight, many people are deficient? This can lead to an increase in depression symptoms, and studies have shown that supplementing with Vitamin D can improve both depressive symptoms and your quality of life.

One of the most effective ways to supplement Vitamin D is through Intramuscular (IM) Shots at Restore Hyper Wellness. IM Shots work by delivering 70%-90% bioavailable nutrients like Vitamin D directly to the muscle tissue. This nutrient is quickly and efficiently absorbed into the bloodstream and carried to various tissues and organs. Each session takes just five minutes, making it a convenient addition to your health and wellness routine. 

Don't like needles? You can get a free Whole Body Cryotherapy session before your injection to help ease any discomfort from your IM Shot!

IV Drip Therapy 

Woman receiving IV Drip Therapy at Restore Hyper Wellness
IV Drip Therapy

Vitamin D isn’t the only nutrient scientifically proven to be effective. Along with IM Shots, IV Drip Therapy delivers an extensive menu of essential nutrients directly into your bloodstream, which allows your body to quickly absorb those nutrients with 100% bioavailability. While an IM Shot session takes only five minutes, IV Drip Therapy takes around 60-90 minutes, and both therapies can include the supplements below

Magnesium 

Along with supporting cardiovascular function, improving skin health, aiding muscle relaxation and recovery and promoting better sleep, Magnesium has also been proven to reduce depression symptoms. And a Magnesium deficiency—which may result in fatigue, high blood pressure and muscle twitching—is found to be linked to an increase in depression.

N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC)

NAC is an antioxidant that helps make and replenish Glutathione, supports heart health and eases depression symptoms. Supplementation may also work to regulate neurotransmitters like dopamine and glutamate, which play a role in various mental health conditions. 

B Vitamins

B Vitamins support cardiovascular function, immunity, skin health and energy and also work to regulate certain neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine--which are directly linked to mental health. Deficiencies in Vitamin B12 specifically have been found to increase the risk of depression, and supplementation can be an effective method to greatly reduce and even prevent those symptoms--along with the use of Vitamins B6 and B3, which are part of what’s known as B Complex vitamins

Zinc

Vital for strong immunity, healthy skin, healing and protein and DNA synthesis and brain health, a Zinc deficiency has been shown to increase the risk and severity of depressive symptoms. However, a recent study found that Zinc supplementation can reduce that risk—and even possibly help to alleviate the symptoms. 

Find Winter Relief with Restore

The winter months can be a great time to start a routine with science-backed therapies. From IV Drip Therapy and IM Shots to Red Light Therapy and Infrared Saunas, Restore is here to help improve your health and how you feel, no matter the season!

Book your Restore services today.

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