{"id":36745,"date":"2025-12-12T14:17:48","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T19:17:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/whatsgood.vitaminshoppe.com\/?p=36745"},"modified":"2025-12-16T14:23:36","modified_gmt":"2025-12-16T19:23:36","slug":"winter-cravings-and-habits-explained","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/winter-cravings-and-habits-explained\/","title":{"rendered":"This Is Why You Crave Cuddles And Comfort Food In The Winter\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As soon as the temperatures drop and the sun goes down well before your day is done, something predictable happens: You crave carbs, cozy blankets, early bedtimes, and the people you love most. The internet dubs this time of year \u201ccuffing season,\u201d and there\u2019s actually a very real physiological shift happening behind the scenes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When daylight gets shorter, your brain doesn\u2019t just notice\u2014it actually recalibrates, explains <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Brittany Michels<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., C.P.T., a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and nutritionist for The Vitamin Shoppe. \u201cOur bodies react to both environmental and hormonal cues, and when sunlight drops, the neurotransmitters that regulate mood and energy get less stimulation,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So no, it\u2019s not your imagination; you really are sleepier, hungrier, and feeling more <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cplease hug me and bring me soup\u201d<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> than usual.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There\u2019s also an evolutionary component at play here. For much of human history, winter meant fewer food sources and lower temperatures, so rich meals and social closeness were required for survival. \u201cHeavier, calorie-dense foods were of benefit during colder months, providing energy stores to maintain body temperature when food was scarcer,\u201d Michels says. Today, those instincts show up as cravings for mac and cheese and hot chocolate, and nights spent burrowed under a blanket with someone you love.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a closer look at exactly what\u2019s happening in your body during winter, why the pull toward comfort is biologically hardwired, and science-backed ways to maintain your energy, stay grounded, and feel emotionally steady through the dark months.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em style=\"font-family: 'Josefin Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.875rem; font-weight: bold; text-transform: uppercase;\"><strong>ABOUT OUR EXPERTS:<\/strong><\/em><em><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/lp\/nutritionists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brittany Michels<\/a>, M.S., R.D.N., L.D.N., C.P.T., is a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and nutritionist for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/lp\/nutritionists\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Vitamin Shoppe.<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ccfmed.com\/about\/sunjya-schweig\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sunjya Schweig<\/a>, M.D., is an integrative family physician and founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine. Tansy Rodgers, F.N.T.P., is a functional nutritional therapy practitioner.<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><strong>Winter Weather Shifts Your Physiology<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ever wonder why winter seems to flip a switch in your brain? You can thank shifts in daylight for that.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhen daylight hits your eyes, it sends signals to your brain\u2019s internal clock, which then sets off a cascade that affects everything from cortisol to body temperature,\u201d says <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunjya Schweig<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, M.D., an integrative family physician and founder of the California Center for Functional Medicine<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cShorter days essentially tell that clock, \u2018It\u2019s winter now,\u2019 and your whole system responds accordingly.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For starters, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nimh.nih.gov\/health\/publications\/seasonal-affective-disorder\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">serotonin<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the \u201cfeel-good\u201d neurotransmitter that helps keep you upbeat, naturally dips as the days get shorter and there\u2019s less sunlight. Serotonin is made from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamins-supplements\/supplements\/amino-acids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">amino acid<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamins-supplements\/supplements\/amino-acids\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">tryptophan<\/a>, so when levels fall, your body instinctively seeks out meals that will boost tryptophan and help bring serotonin back up, Michels says. In particular, you may crave rich, cozy protein-carb combos, like turkey and stuffing, pot roast with potatoes, or even warm toast with melty peanut butter.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamins-supplements\/letter-vitamins\/vitamin-d\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Vitamin D<\/a> is also involved here. \u201cVitamin D receptors live in areas of the brain that regulate emotion, and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9863845\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">research<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> suggests low levels can amplify carb cravings as your body looks for quick ways to boost serotonin,\u201d says Michels. \u201cWhen vitamin D dips, it becomes even harder for your brain to regulate tryptophan-to-serotonin conversion, making comfort foods feel especially irresistible.\u201d Obviously, levels of the sunshine vitamin trend lower during winter, leaving you with changes in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9468237\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mood, cravings, and energy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3819153\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dopamine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, your brain\u2019s reward-and-motivation messenger, also tends to drop. When it slides, so does your drive, which is why you suddenly care a lot less about productivity and a lot more about whatever feels good <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">right now<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201cWinter can alter both dopamine activity and how sensitive your receptors are,\u201d says Schweig. \u201cThat combination explains why tasks feel harder, and rewards like food, scrolling, or cozy downtime can feel even more compelling.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/healthy-ways-to-boost-dopamine\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">5 Healthy Ways To Trigger A Dopamine Rush<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unsurprisingly, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/herbs-natural-remedies\/popular-herbs\/melatonin\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">melatonin<\/a>, the hormone responsible for helping you fall and stay asleep (among other things), is also impacted by the change in season. When it gets dark earlier, levels of the sleep hormone rise earlier in the evening, hence why you might suddenly feel ready for bed the minute you finish dinner, Schweig suggests.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And now the part we don\u2019t talk about enough: Our modern Western way of life kind of sets us up to struggle here. Even though our biology is wired to shift with the seasons, many areas of society expect us to feel, perform, and behave the same 365 days a year. In other words, we keep the same work hours and routines, and expect the same productivity, despite our internal clocks pulling us toward slower, more comforting rhythms, shares Schweig.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>How to Support Your Mood and Energy in the Winter<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winter cravings and sluggishness aren\u2019t signs that your willpower is out the window; they\u2019re a totally normal response to a new season. It\u2019s totally okay (and even healthy) to lean into some of these seasonal shifts, says Schweig. Still, the right support can help keep you from sliding into the winter blues or full-blown <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/adaa.org\/understanding-anxiety\/depression\/SAD?gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=21784584432&amp;gbraid=0AAAAADOzZllBaN27bk6geK5T0cuwtfeDD&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAxJXJBhD_ARIsAH_JGjjWkZreqxVKLQLdKnARe4ot-uS1dM8TCCfi49OICeq2NRlLjD88xRYaApTOEALw_wcB\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might not be able to change the shorter days or colder temps, but you can give your body the inputs it needs using these science-backed tips.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>1. Maximize Your Exposure to Sunlight<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Wintertime indeed means less sunlight throughout the day, but that doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t get your fair share. In fact, even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/health.clevelandclinic.org\/how-much-sunshine-you-need-daily\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10 to 30 minutes outside<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (even when it\u2019s cloudy) is enough to help regulate serotonin and melatonin levels, according to Michels. Schweig recommends aiming for bright light exposure within an hour of waking, because this is when your brain\u2019s clock is most responsive and you\u2019ll get the biggest payoff in alertness and mood.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you live somewhere with limited winter sunlight or you\u2019re often indoors, Michels suggests using a light therapy lamp, which can mimic the benefits of the actual sun.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>2. Prioritize Tryptophan-Rich Protein And Healthy Carbs<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foods like lean meats, eggs, dairy, beans, nuts, and seeds all contain tryptophan, the amino acid your body can\u2019t make but relies on to produce serotonin, Michels explains.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Turns out, the carbs you crave actually help tryptophan get to work in your brain. \u201cPairing tryptophan-rich foods with slower-burning carbs like sweet potatoes, whole grains, or root veggies triggers a small rise in insulin that helps tryptophan cross the blood-brain barrier more easily,\u201d explains functional nutritional therapy practitioner Tansy Rodgers, F.N.T.P. \u201cThis allows your brain to convert tryptophan into serotonin.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Read More: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/reasons-for-winter-weight-gain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The Real Reasons For Winter Weight Gain<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rodgers recommends cozy, winter-friendly meals like meat- and bean-based chili, roasted veggie and quinoa bowls, or eggs with whole-grain toast to support both mood and energy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>3. Add in Omega-3 Fatty Acids<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamins-supplements\/supplements\/fish-oil-omegas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Omega-3s<\/a>\u2014found in foods like fatty fish, pastured dairy, walnuts, flaxseeds, and eggs\u2014have been shown to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC3976923\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">help with mood, focus, and even cravings<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> triggered by low sunlight exposure. \u201cThey support those feel-good serotonin and dopamine pathways that tend to dip in the winter,\u201d says Michels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If salmon and sardines aren\u2019t your thing, opt for a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/c\/vitamins-supplements\/supplements\/fish-oil-omegas\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">high-quality omega-3 supplement<\/a> instead. Michels suggests aiming for around 1,000 milligrams of combined EPA and DHA daily, taken with food, to support mood, concentration, and overall brain function during the darker months.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>4. Move Your Body Regularly<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You don\u2019t need a color-coded training schedule or hour-long workouts to cash in on the mood-boosting benefits of movement. In fact, even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apa.org\/monitor\/2022\/11\/defeating-depression-naturally\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">small, consistent bursts of activity<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can have a powerful impact on your winter chemistry. Brisk indoor walks, 10-minute strength circuits, yoga flows, or a quick mobility session between meetings all stimulate the same key neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine that tend to dip when daylight disappears, according to Michels.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nature.com\/articles\/s41598-023-33063-9\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Movement also increases blood flow to the brain<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, which helps you think more clearly when winter sluggishness tries to set in, adds Rodgers. Plus, it helps <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/35777076\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">keep the stress hormone cortisol at bay<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, leaving you more grounded and less reactive (a very welcome shift during the darker, busier months).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>5. Tap Into Your Social Connections<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winter doesn\u2019t just make you want more closeness\u2014it biologically nudges you toward it. When daylight drops and serotonin dips, your body looks for other ways to create that \u201csteady and safe\u201d feeling, explains Michels. \u201cPhysical touch, warm beverages, and social interactions stimulate oxytocin and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/ways-to-boost-endorphins\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">endorphin release<\/a>,\u201d she says. Simple acts like sharing a warm meal with friends offer a two-for-one benefit, providing emotional satisfaction and the nourishment your feel-good hormones require.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>6. Support Your Nervous System in Small Ways<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it\u2019s darker and colder outside, and your brain is running on lower serotonin and higher melatonin, your nervous system naturally feels a bit more overwhelmed, explains Rodgers. The comfort food cravings that result are often truly cravings for regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news? You can get the same grounding effect from simple daily practices that don\u2019t involve standing in front of the pantry. \u201cTools like body scans, gentle stretching, journaling, or a few minutes of intentional breathing can start to give you that same feeling,\u201d she says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Science backs this up: One 2024 study published in the journal <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.lww.com\/ccejournal\/fulltext\/2024\/11000\/mindfulness_exercises_reduce_acute_physiologic.1.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Critical Care Explorations <\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">found that brief mindfulness exercises (think slow breathing or a short body scan) lowered stress-related physiological markers and improved emotional regulation.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Bottom Line<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So now you know that those cravings and behavior tendencies you have during winter are far from some personal failing\u2014they\u2019re wired into your biology. In other words, your body\u2019s doing exactly what it\u2019s designed to do when your world gets darker and colder. With a little strategy (and a lot of compassion), you can work with those shifts instead of fighting them so you can feel your best through \u2018til springtime.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As soon as the temperatures drop and the sun goes down well before your day is done, something predictable happens: You crave carbs, cozy blankets, early bedtimes, and the people you love most. The internet dubs this time of year \u201ccuffing season,\u201d and there\u2019s actually a very real physiological shift happening behind the scenes. When<a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.vitaminshoppe.com\/blog\/winter-cravings-and-habits-explained\/\">Read More <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">This Is Why You Crave Cuddles And Comfort Food In The Winter\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":78,"featured_media":36749,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5,9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-the-latest"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v23.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>This Is Why You Crave Cuddles And Comfort Food In The Winter\u00a0 | What\u2019s Good blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"If you feel like different in the winter than the summer...you are! 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