Let’s face it: for many people, January is a dark month. Literally and metaphorically! For those in the US, January days are the shortest and coldest of the year. Meteorologically speaking, temps on average hit their winter lows around January 19, and the sun rises late and sets early. Reduced light exposure can lead to irritability, loss of focus, and even the blues. Enter “SAD,” or “seasonal affective disorder,” a serious depressive condition exacerbated by reduced daylight.
And of course, we also have the “holiday hangover” hitting us in January: the parties are over, work has kicked into gear, and all those holiday bills are starting to hit. It can make for a perfect storm for a less-than-perfect month.
So, if you’re struggling to maintain energy, focus, and mood this month, you’re not alone. And it’s not just you. We all NEED sunlight, and a healthy amount is between 10 and 30 minutes a few times a week (this rule of thumb varies by age, health history, genetics and predisposition to burns/spots, and your skin tone, and of course, you should always wear sunscreen).
In addition to elevating our mood, sunshine is a natural and vital source of vitamin D. Too, it may:
- Improve sleep quality
- Strengthen bones
- Kill bacteria
- Reduce high blood pressure
And if you’re looking to add a little more sunshine to your day (especially in January, when we need the lift the most), look to an energy supplement. We love the PerX line of nootropic energy drinks because they’re convenient, sugar-free, gluten-free, vegan, and in addition to energy, they deliver the benefits you need to power through dark days. PerX also includes our Detox Matrix: echinacea, milk thistle seed extract, and diatomaceous earth, plus amino acids and collagen peptides your body needs. It’s sunshine in a cup (and tastes great, too), with a noticeable lift without the crash.
Jumpstart your January with a brisk walk in the winter sunshine a few days a week plus a lively lift of energy from PerX—currently available in our classic Berry Blast flavor and our limited-time-only flavor Blue Breeze!
