Amherst winters aren’t just cold—they’re relentless. Between lake-effect snow, gray skies, and limited daylight from November through March, it’s common to feel your energy dip, your mood shift, and your motivation fade. For some Western New Yorkers, that seasonal slump becomes something heavier, like seasonal affective disorder (SAD), anxiety, or depression.
At Spurback Family Chiropractic in Amherst, we see how closely mental wellness and physical function can be connected—especially through the nervous system. While chiropractic care isn’t a replacement for mental health support, it can be a valuable part of a holistic plan to help your body feel more balanced during the darkest months of the year.
Why Western New Yorkers Feel Winter More Deeply
When the sun disappears for weeks at a time, the body can start to respond as if it’s under constant stress. Less sunlight may affect sleep cycles, energy levels, and mood-related hormones. Add in icy roads, cancelled plans, and being stuck indoors, and it’s easy to see why winter can feel isolating and heavy.
But there’s another layer people don’t always consider: how the body holds stress physically. Tight shoulders, shallow breathing, headaches, poor posture, and fatigue can all feed into how you feel emotionally.
The Mind-Body Connection Starts With the Nervous System
Your brain and spinal cord act as the command center for your entire body—including how you respond to stress and regulate mood. When the spine isn’t moving or aligning well, it may interfere with how the nervous system communicates.
How Chiropractic Care Can Support Emotional Balance
When your nervous system has a clearer pathway to function, many patients report improvements that go beyond aches and pains. They may feel:
- Less tension in the body
- Improved posture and breathing
- Better sleep quality
- A calmer baseline during stressful seasons
At Spurback Family Chiropractic, Dr Jodi Spurback and Dr Marin Collins take the time to understand what you’re experiencing. Your first visit includes a thorough evaluation, which may include X-rays and INSIGHT™ scans, so we can better understand how your spine and nervous system are functioning and what support might be helpful.
Coping Strategies That Help Beyond Light Therapy
Light therapy can be helpful, but it’s not the only tool. If winter tends to hit you hard, these small shifts may support your mood and resilience:
- Prioritize morning movement (even a 10-minute walk, if safe)
- Keep a consistent sleep and wake time
- Get outdoors during midday when possible
- Stay socially connected (even short plans count)
- Support posture and breathing with gentle stretching
If your body feels stuck in “fight or flight” all winter, supporting the nervous system may be a missing piece.
A Hopeful Reminder for the Winter Season
If you’ve been feeling low, tense, or emotionally drained every winter, you’re not alone—and you don’t have to push through it without support. Caring for your nervous system is one way to help your body feel steadier and more resilient through the season.
Ready for support this winter? Book a visit with Spurback Family Chiropractic in Amherst today and let’s help your body find better balance—inside and out.
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