BEAT THE WINTER BLUES (Herbal Help for Winter Blues, Low Energy, & Anxiety)
By Jhoane Robinson, Co-Founder, Herbalist & Health Educator
Winter days are short, while the nights are long. The excitement of the holidays has been replaced with the quiet of January. Most of our time is spent indoors with florescent and LED lights. Many of us notice subtle (or not-so-subtle) shifts in how we feel. Motivation can dip, anxiousness and worry may increase, and energy levels may be low, even after a whole night’s sleep.
During the winter, it’s common to experience a mild bout of “winter blues,” especially after the excitement and pressures (and stresses) of the holiday season. For some, though, the emotional weight feels more profound and more persistent and is often linked to seasonal patterns, sometimes referred to as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Note: If these issues become overwhelming, don’t go it alone. Consult a qualified health provider.
There are gentle, supportive ways to care for yourself through this new year season, and herbs can be a true partner in the winter months.
Signs Your Body & Mind Are Feeling the Winter Shift
Here are some shifts to watch for:
Emotional & Mental Changes
- Feeling low, flat, or emotionally heavy
- Increased anxiousness or feeling on edge
- Racing thoughts or difficulty winding down
- Less interest in activities you usually enjoy
- Trouble focusing or feeling mentally foggy
Physical & Energy Shifts
- Low energy or motivation, especially in the morning
- Sleeping longer but still feeling tired
- Cravings for carbs or sweets
- Reduced desire to move or exercise
Lifestyle Patterns
- Wanting to stay in and isolate more
- Difficulty keeping routines that felt easy in warmer months
- Feeling overwhelmed by everyday stress
These responses are often the body’s natural reactions to less light, colder weather, changes in seasonal rhythms, reduced exercise, and post-holiday letdown.
Wintertime naturally calls for more rest, reflection, and nourishment. Supporting your mood, energy, and emotional balance during winter isn’t about fixing yourself—it’s about listening and responding with care.
Gentle herbal support, combined with light exposure, nourishing food, movement, connection, and sleep, can help you feel more grounded and supported until the days grow longer again. Make sure you are drinking plenty of pure water and consider getting lab tests done to see if you need to add Vitamin D supplements to your daily healthcare routine.
Herbal Support for Winter Blues & Seasonal Anxiousness
Supporting Yourself Through Winter
Herbs have long been used to support emotional balance, calm the nervous system, and help the body adapt to seasonal shifts. During the winter months, the goal is not stimulation alone but steady energy, emotional resilience, and restorative rest. Make herbs part of your broader winter wellness approach that includes rest, nourishment, and self-compassion.
Calm the Nervous System
Winter stress often shows up as tension, worry, or restlessness. Supporting calm doesn’t mean shutting down emotions—it means helping your nervous system feel safe and steady.
Herbal allies traditionally used for relaxation and calming include Chamomile, California Poppy, and Kava Kava, all valued for promoting ease when the mind feels busy or the body feels tight.
Kava Calm and Chamomile Relaxer, formulas by Cedar Bear®, help you feel calmer without feeling dulled or disconnected—especially helpful during emotionally charged winter days, and can be a great sleep support. For families, Chamomile Calmer for Kids offers gentle support for little ones who may also feel unsettled by changes in routine and light.
Support Mood & Emotional Balance
Seasonal emotional dips are common, especially when daylight is limited. Certain herbs have a long tradition of use to support emotional steadiness and resilience during these times.
St. John’s Wort has traditionally been used to support a brighter outlook during seasons of low mood.
Ashwagandha root is an adaptogenic herb that helps the body respond more calmly to ongoing stress, promoting balance, resilience, and a calmer nervous system during prolonged seasonal stress.
Restore Restful Sleep
Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for emotional balance—but winter can disrupt sleep rhythms, even when you’re exhausted. Establishing a calming evening routine and promoting relaxation before bed can make a meaningful difference.
Herbs traditionally used for nighttime support help quiet mental chatter and encourage the body to settle naturally.
Sleep & Calming for Women is designed with this in mind, offering gentle nighttime support during seasons when stress and reduced light interfere with deep rest.
Chamomile Relaxer and Chamomile Calmer for Kids are effective herbal formulas that support sleep and mood.
Rebuild Energy—Without Overstimulation
Winter fatigue is common—but energy support should feel nourishing rather than overstimulating. When energy is depleted, herbs traditionally used for vitality and endurance can help restore balance. Cedar Bear’s nourishing herbal blends help counter seasonal sluggishness without the spikes and crashes.
Energy & Stamina supports sustained energy and vitality, helping counter seasonal sluggishness without relying on quick-acting stimulants. (This formula contains low levels of natural caffeine from herbal sources.)
Ginseng Vitality – Ginseng is well known for supporting stamina and resilience, and Ginseng Vitality helps promote physical and mental endurance, steady vitality, and resilience during times of increased demand or low seasonal energy.
Mental Clarity & Cognitive Support
Short days and long nights can leave the mind feeling dull or scattered. When concentration and motivation dip, gentle cognitive support can help you feel more present and mentally clear.
Brain Booster is formulated to support mental clarity and focus—especially helpful during the winter months when motivation and sharpness may be harder to access.
A Thoughtful Seasonal Approach
Winter wellness is not about forcing productivity or constant positivity. Herbal support works best when combined with rest, nourishment, light exposure, gentle movement, and emotional care. Used consistently, these formulas and single herbs can be valuable allies in promoting calm, clarity, energy, and emotional balance throughout the winter.
A Gentle Invitation This Winter
If you’re feeling the weight of winter—low energy, anxiousness, restless sleep, or emotional heaviness—consider this a reminder to slow down and care for yourself with intention. You don’t have to do everything at once. Small, consistent support can make a meaningful difference.
Explore gentle herbal options from Cedar Bear® that align with your body, your season, and your needs. Whether you’re seeking calm, emotional balance, restful sleep, or steady energy, Cedar Bear® formulas are designed to support you through winter—and beyond—with care and integrity.
Listen to what your body is asking for. Choose support that feels nourishing. Allow yourself the grace to move through this season gently, knowing brighter days are ahead.
Gentle herbal support from Cedar Bear®, paired with light exposure, nourishing food, movement, connection, and sleep, can help you feel more grounded and supported until the days grow longer again.
Cedar Bear® Herbs to Support a Lifetime of Wellness
When choosing herbal support, quality matters—especially for long-term wellness. Cedar Bear® formulas are crafted using our unique, alcohol-free TincTract® process that gently extracts both water-soluble and fat-soluble plant compounds. This preserves the herbs' natural balance, making the formulas easy to take, well-tolerated, and suitable for those who prefer to avoid alcohol-based extracts. They also taste good!
Cedar Bear® products are crafted with a whole-body, whole-season approach. Rather than pushing the body or masking discomfort, the formulas are designed to support balance, nourishment, and resilience—especially during times of stress, fatigue, and seasonal change. For those of us navigating busy lives, emotional demands, and shifting energy through winter, Cedar Bear® offers herbal support that feels steady, thoughtful, and gentle enough for daily use.
