Not sure how to add vitamin C to your winter rhythm? Try these cozy habits to naturally brighten your mood and boost cellular health.
We think of topical vitamin C as a natural brightening agent for our skin, and it is.
But it’s a natural brightening agent for our mood, too.
Want to beat the winter blues? Turn to nature’s remedy in the form of oranges, lemons, and raw kale. Vitamin C isn’t a standalone treatment for clinical mood disorders (better leave that to the pros), but it could help you slight-edge your way out of seasonal gloom.
Let’s Talk Ascorbic Acid vs. Whole Food Vitamin C
By now, you know we’re team whole foods, even in skincare. The vitamin C supplements and drink packets you see in the drugstore aisles typically don’t come from real foods; they come from a lab.
Ascorbic acid is a synthetic version of vitamin C that’s likely harder on our bodies and less bioavailable. So keep in mind, when we talk about the benefits of vitamin C, we’re talking about the real stuff, taken from whole foods.
Here’s How to Use Vitamin C to Beat the Winter Blues
Isn’t it interesting that peak harvest season for citrus fruits happens in February?
Nature knows we need an extra mood and immune boost in the middle of winter.
Sometimes called “the glow vitamin,” vitamin C is our cellular defense against winter blues, premature aging, and so much more. Here are some cozy ways to make it part of your routine.
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Pair vitamin C foods with your morning supplements
Want to know vitamin C’s best kept secret? It helps with the absorption of other vitamins and minerals. Particularly, iron tends to harmonize with the body when it’s paired with vitamin C-rich foods. If you have a morning supplement routine, it’s time to harmonize the benefits by adding vitamin C-rich foods, like kale, broccoli, kiwi, mango, grapefruit, oranges, and other citrus fruits.
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Make orange juice in the sun
Homemade orange juice is superior to store bought. You’ll know when you taste it. There are no preservatives and no fillers, just antioxidant-rich citrus and whatever else you add to your juice blend. So if you’re feeling the winter blues, make your own juice for ultimate benefits. For best results, pair this habit with some morning sunshine (vitamin D) and earthing.
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Add topical vitamin C to your skincare routine
If you suffer from winter blues, you might struggle to keep up with your skincare routine altogether. That’s why you should think of your vitamin C serum as more than just skincare. It’s your insurance policy against winter blues. It’s the do-it-all face serum that stands in the gap when a multi-step routine feels out of reach. When you apply your vitamin C serum, take your time. Breathe in the scent, enjoy a gua sha massage, and say affirmations to yourself in the mirror.
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Drink lemon tea with breakfast
Actually, if you can, prioritize a lemon drink before any other foods or beverages. This is great for your liver, but it also comes with the mood-boosting benefits of vitamin C. Add lemon tea (or warm lemon water!) to your breakfast for a cozy morning routine. You can even make your own lemon juice and then freeze it in ice cube trays.
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Scent your home with bergamot and orange
When you watch old Christmas movies, the dried orange garland paired with pine branches is no coincidence. The gentle scent of citrus can support a positive mood and so can the bright colors strung across dull spaces. You can create your own dried orange garland, make a holiday simmer pot with bergamot, use citrus-scented skincare, or diffuse bergamot essential oils for stress relief.
Winter Blues Are Temporary, but Quality Skincare Doesn’t Have to Be
Vitamin C is a great rescue remedy for the winter blues. Ideally, though, it doesn’t have to swoop in when you’re feeling down. Vitamin C should be part of your routine every day, for every season. It’s best used as an insurance policy or protective agent that keeps you from experiencing the winter blues altogether.
Ready to Make Vitamin C Serum a Daily Habit?