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Helping Your Kids Beat the Winter Blues
After the holiday excitement dies down, it's not unusual for children to spend the long winter days that follow feeling bored, tired and restless. If you've heard your son or daughter moan, "There's nothing to do!" one too many times, you're not alone.
Still, when the weather is bleak, the temperatures are frigid, and there's day after day with little outdoor activity, it's no wonder that kids (and adults) end up feeling down in the dumps.
The winter blues is a term commonly used to describe physical and emotional symptoms triggered by too little activity and sunshine. Symptoms include lethargy, irritability and sadness; kids also become disinterested in activities that are usually enjoyable.
Here's the good news for parents: It's easy to chase the winter blues away with a little creativity and ingenuity.
Get Outside
While chilly temperatures give the whole family reason to burrow under the covers, outdoor activity is one surefire way to combat weariness.
- Bundle up and go for a brisk walk through the neighborhood. Visit a local park, play a game of freeze tag or organize an obstacle course using playground equipment – anything to give the kids a chance to burn off excess energy.
- Plan a snow-sculpture contest with a silly theme: favorite animal, vacation destination or cartoon character. Looking for a yummy prize? Set out mugs of hot chocolate with a variety of tasty toppings.
- Hide pennies or shelled peanuts in the backyard for a quick and easy outdoor game. Or, if you're feeling inspired, design a backyard scavenger hunt to promote resourcefulness and teamwork.
Get Involved
If your children have slipped into a routine of watching television, squabbling with siblings and complaining of boredom, consider these creative ideas to energize your little family members.
- Who says picnics are only for warm summer days? As a family, whip up some favorite finger foods, pack a picnic basket, and off you go to the basement or living room. Turn the heat up a notch, and have everyone dress in a favorite summer outfit.
- Make edible treats for your neighbors. Not only will this encourage the kids to think about others, they'll also spend time outdoors hand-delivering their special surprises.
- Begin an art project. Instructions abound online. Better yet, use those piles of old catalogs, magazines and newspapers to make colorful collages. With a little glue and poster board, challenge the kids to find words and pictures, then create a masterpiece featuring their favorite finds.
Get Healthy
Along with the winter blahs come the almost inevitable onset of coughs, sore throats and runny noses. Curb your family's visits to the pediatrician with a little preventative medicine.
- Each winter, when serotonin levels drop in our brains, we tend to crave foods heavy in sugar and carbs. Experts recommend finding innovative ways to incorporate extra fruits and vegetables into snacks and meals. Keep in mind that typical comfort foods tend to drag down a kid's mood while pushing up his weight.
- If your child seems blue, take a look at her schedule. Is there enough downtime? Enough quiet play? Enough hours of sleep each night? Keep the family schedule uncluttered to avoid stress.
- Expose your child to plenty of natural light. Reduced sunlight can take a serious toll on the body, causing feelings of fatigue, sadness and tension. Arrange to have your child sit by a window while reading or doing homework to absorb any natural light. Instead of flipping on the TV after school, pull a comfortable chair near a window and pick out a favorite book to read together.
- Chances are that your child's winter blues is nothing more than a normal reaction to being cooped up indoors. But for some children – particularly adolescents – the symptoms can be much more severe. More and more children are being diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), so it's wise to watch for symptoms your son or daughter may display, and take action early on.
Finding new ways to celebrate this frosty season will give your family the boost you all need to make it through to spring. Until then, have fun focusing on your kids and learning how to liven up the winter months together.
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