Episode 87: Winter Wellness Reset – Beating Seasonal Blues and Staying Energized Through the Dark Months

In Episode 87 of Doctor’s Wealth and Wellness, host Norm Wright tackles the mid-January 2026 winter blues that disproportionately affect shift-working physicians, citing a 2026 AMA survey showing 55% report heightened fatigue, irritability, and low mood due to reduced sunlight and circadian disruption. He presents three accessible, evidence-backed resets: light therapy via 10,000-lux boxes or dawn simulators (hospitalist Dr. Nadia’s affordable clock cutting morning fog and boosting focus, with Harvard data confirming 35% SAD symptom reduction); vitamin D testing and supplementation (ER doc Dr. Raj rebounding energy and immunity after addressing deficiency, supported by Johns Hopkins findings of 28% less fatigue); and mood-elevating micro-movements like short yoga or stretches bundled with rewards (surgeon Dr. Sam shifting slumps to sharper afternoons, per Mayo Clinic trials showing 32% blues reduction). Wright underscores how these tactics safeguard mental sharpness for patient care, family presence, and smarter financial decisions, challenging listeners to adopt one daily for seven days while journaling shifts and emailing [email protected] for personalized tips. Examples in this episode are hypothetical and not representative of a specific individual.