Have you noticed that winter leaves a mark on your body and mind?
The heavy mornings, the long nights indoors, the craving for comfort foods — it all adds up. Many women tell me that by the time spring rolls around, they feel “stuck in second gear” … flat in mood, foggy in thought, and slower to bounce back from stress.
If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re simply feeling the biological imprint of the season. But here’s the good news: spring is your body’s natural time to reset.
Why Spring Is So Powerful for Your Brain and Mood
As a naturopath and biochemist, I often remind women that our brain chemistry is never separate from the seasons. Sunlight, fresh foods, and even the air quality influence how our neurotransmitters (such as serotonin, dopamine, and GABA) are produced and utilised.
Winter lowers our vitamin D and serotonin stores, increases melatonin (which makes us sleepier), and shifts blood sugar balance toward carb cravings. No wonder many women feel a foggy, moody slump.
When spring arrives, your body is primed to respond — if you give it the right support.
4 Science-Backed, Naturopathic Tips to Boost Mood & Clarity This Spring
1. Rebuild Your Serotonin Naturally
Instead of turning to sugar for a quick lift, focus on foods that provide tryptophan — the amino acid building block for serotonin. Pumpkin seeds, turkey, oats, and bananas are my favourites. Pair them with B-vitamin-rich greens like spinach or rocket, because B6 is needed to convert tryptophan into serotonin.
Tip: A mid-afternoon snack of pumpkin seeds + a few slices of banana is a natural serotonin booster.
2. Support Your Gut–Brain Connection
Your gut microbes produce and regulate many neurotransmitters — including GABA, which calms the nervous system. After winter comfort eating, your gut may be sluggish. Spring is the perfect time to reset digestion with fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, or kefir, and fibre-rich seasonal veg like asparagus and artichokes.
Perspective: Artichokes contain inulin, a prebiotic fibre that feeds gut bacteria and indirectly supports serotonin production.
3. Reset Your Circadian Rhythm With Morning Light
This isn’t just about “getting some sunshine.” Early spring sunlight contains a specific spectrum of blue light that signals the brain to increase serotonin and balance cortisol levels. Within minutes, your body starts shifting from melatonin (sleep hormone) dominance to cortisol–serotonin balance.
Practical Step: Step outside within 30 minutes of waking, without glasses or sunglasses, for at least 10 minutes. This single shift has a profound effect on mood, focus, and energy regulation.
4. Detox Mental Clutter Alongside Physical Detox
In naturopathy, spring is a time to support liver detoxification — but don’t forget your nervous system also needs a cleanse. Mental overload contributes to brain fog just as much as sluggish digestion.
Try a “mental declutter ritual”:
- Write down everything weighing on your mind.
- Circle what you can delegate or delay.
- Choose just one clear focus for the day.
This stops the constant dopamine drain that comes from juggling too many tabs — both on your laptop and in your brain.
A Loving Reminder as You Step Into Spring
Spring is your body’s invitation to shake off heaviness and return to lightness, joy, and clarity. By combining nutritional wisdom (such as serotonin-supportive foods), biochemistry insights (including gut–brain and circadian rhythm support), and nervous system rituals, you give yourself the best chance to thrive alongside the season.
Remember: small steps are powerful when they align with your biology.
PS: If you’d love some extra support for your spring reset…
I’ve put together a collection of simple, science-backed digital guides in my Etsy store — from energy resets to hormone-friendly nutrition. And this month only, they’re 15% off for spring.
They’re designed to be practical tools you can use right away — even on the busiest days.
Ready to kick start Gut Health? Book a Call!
This is how gut microbes can influence weight!
Probiotics can help you gain weight or lose weight by interacting with our genetics, food and metabolism.
And yes, I did say lose or gain weight……..
Firstly, let me explain that the trillions of microbes in the gut need to be varied, meaning that there should be a large variety of species. There are many different species (or breeds) of microbes, and they all have their place in aiding health — the more variety and balance, the better health results.
Back to the weight loss or weight gain issue….
Do you eat yogurt and berries for breakfast? Thinking that it’s helping you lose weight?
Well, Lactobacillus acidophilus (like the species found in yoghurt) has been connected to weight gain.
I am not saying throw your yoghurt and berries in the bin. Instead, I am suggesting looking at the overall picture. If Lactobacillus acidophilus is the predominant micro-organism of the gut, then weight gain can result.
It is about the variety of species of gut microbes. Imagine if we only have trained german shepherd guard dogs in the world. It may be a safe world, but I am sure that other breeds may be more suitable as a family pet.
While Lactobacillus acidophilus is associated with weight gain, other Lactobacillus species correlate with weight loss.
Species like Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus gasseri, and Bifidobacteria animalis have been found to support weight loss.
Want to lose weight?
Look at your gut flora to support your goal.
Tests can be performed to identify the predominant species of the gut, and specific species can be utilised to support weight changes.
Want more information about your gut health?
Or want to look at all the factors contributing to weight gain, I’d love to be able to help.
