10 Ways to Beat Those Winter Blues

UGH!  I’ve had enough of the yucky slush and icy sidewalks.  Enough of taking what feels like a half hour every time I need to bundle the kids to get out of the house (or for that matter, coming back in and trudging slushy boot marks all over before feverishly reminding them that they take off their shoes)!  Enough of feeling like blah with these layers and puffy winter jackets...Enough of the constant runny noses and this cough that has taken a liking to me for the last month!  Enough of not being able to run outdoors because it’s below zero with the wind chill...ENOUGH.  Just, ENOUGH.

I’m quite aware that I’m going through my annual winter blues.  I’m making light of it here, but for many it is an actual condition known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder), a depression caused by changing seasons.  Kids can suffer from this as well.  So...let’s talk about some ways we can combat some of these sad feelings and make it to….the Spring!!!

Here are 10 ideas:
​

1. Get Some Sun!  OK, it might be cold - but if we’re not in an artic blast let’s put on those layers and get out.  The feel of the warm sun on our skin can do tremendous things for our state of mind.  Go for a walk or be brave and take the kids to the playground (we all know the cold doesn’t phase them)!  Being outdoors can reduce stress and help us regain focus.
2. Play Your Favorite Music, and Often.  Sometimes nothing can be a better pick-me-up than blasting your favorite songs.  Get the kids involved, have a dance-off.  Choose music that is more upbeat.  I like to blast “Groove is in the Heart”, that’s my jam. This can be a total mood changer!
3. Eat Healthy.  This is an obvious one, but when we eat healthier, we feel happier.  Biggest thing is to limit sugar intake as those sugar crashes can be intense.  Solution:  eat some dark chocolate (high cocoa content is key) when that craving comes.  You’ll get some antioxidants in addition to the chocolate yumminess.
4. Help Others.  For me, nothing feels better than when I’m helping someone in need.  Get involved with a charity.  Share your time with a friend who needs you.   Do a random act of kindness.  Make someone smile, it’s totally contagious.
5. Plan Something to Look Forward To.  Winter can seriously feel endless.  Plan something that you can get excited about.  How about a girls weekend?  A vacation somewhere WARM.  Even a special night out with your significant other.  Planning fun things can help us get through these dreary days!
6. Keep Social.  Sometimes, especially with the teeny ones, we can feel trapped in our 4 walls.  It’s easy just to stay indoors all day and not be motivated to get out.  As we all know this can lead to feeling down.  MAKE PLANS to see friends and family.  Get out there.
7. Exercise:  Motivation on these colder days is tough.  Maybe a solution is one of those workout videos on demand if you can’t get out.  Lucky enough to have a gym in your apartment building?  So jealous of you, I miss that.  Those walks are tremendous - do it when the sun’s out and feel your mood improve immediately.  Release those endorphins!
8. Sleep:  This might be hard to come by for those of us with babies, but this is an important one.  Get to bed earlier.  Make this a priority.  Sneak in a nap if you need!
9. Be Silly and Play:  I personally think this is one to live by.  Laugh, join in with our kids when they are doing imaginative play.  In my house this means I’m Teacher Harriet (Daniel Tiger reference) and my daughter has lined up all of her stuffed animals on the couch and she tells me the lesson of the day.  Seeing her happy makes me happy!  This can also mean joining my 2 year old doing the “tushy dance”. Don’t ask.
10. Set Goals:  Feeling accomplished is always a good feeling.  Maybe this goal is to redecorate a room, purge (my favorite thing) and create a more minimalist lifestyle.  Maybe your goal is to learn a new language or read 1 book a month.  Train for a 5k. Whatever your goal is, set it and DO IT.

If your feelings of sadness are super intense, you should seek help.  Hopefully, by practicing some of these things and whatever else makes you happy - you can beat the winter doldrums and rest assured, Spring is on the way!!!  Just 2 more months left….

​