I know plenty of Stay-At-Home
Moms can agree, things can get a little tough during those long, cold, winter
days. When you are stuck indoors with a bunch of little kids running around it
can feel a little overwhelming. I know I for one have to be intentional about
being productive throughout the winter months, mainly because it just helps me
to be in a better mood. I am excited to have one of Healthline’s writers stop
by the blog today to share about ways Stay-At-Home Moms can fight off the
dragging feeling of the winter blues.
It’s
easy to experience winter blues, especially when it’s freezing outside and
you’re stuck at home. Boredom and lethargy usually kick in during this time,
triggering seasonal depression. The prevalence of this condition is dependent
on geographical location; however, statistics show that 10% of adults in the
United States are affected by this disorder.
easy to experience winter blues, especially when it’s freezing outside and
you’re stuck at home. Boredom and lethargy usually kick in during this time,
triggering seasonal depression. The prevalence of this condition is dependent
on geographical location; however, statistics show that 10% of adults in the
United States are affected by this disorder.
Seasonal
affective disorder, also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a recurrent
condition characterized by anxiety, daytime weariness, lethargy, fatigue and
depression. The specific root cause of this condition is still unknown;
however, it has long been associated with inadequate sunlight and low vitamin D
levels. Here are some ways that can boost mood even on the darkest of chilly
days.
affective disorder, also known as winter depression or winter blues, is a recurrent
condition characterized by anxiety, daytime weariness, lethargy, fatigue and
depression. The specific root cause of this condition is still unknown;
however, it has long been associated with inadequate sunlight and low vitamin D
levels. Here are some ways that can boost mood even on the darkest of chilly
days.
Start the day right
Beginning
the day with activities can help get that blood and serotonin flowing. A cup of
coffee and a hearty breakfast is also a great way to kick-start your day. It
helps in keeping the morning blues away by giving you that much needed energy
even before starting any of your planned activities. Keep yourself busy as much
as possible, and it is best to plan your activities ahead.
the day with activities can help get that blood and serotonin flowing. A cup of
coffee and a hearty breakfast is also a great way to kick-start your day. It
helps in keeping the morning blues away by giving you that much needed energy
even before starting any of your planned activities. Keep yourself busy as much
as possible, and it is best to plan your activities ahead.
Get out as much as you can
Take in
sunlight and fresh air as much as possible. Natural sunlight can brighten the
mood, while fresh air helps clear your mind. Sunlight also provides the right
amount of vitamin D, which triggers our body to release endorphins that give us
the feeling of happiness and euphoria. Even if it’s too cold for a walk
outside, there are many places you can visit to keep the winter blues at bay.
Shopping malls can be a great place to enjoy leisurely walks while running
errands. Visits to museums are also great opportunities to have fun with the
kids and learn at the same time.
sunlight and fresh air as much as possible. Natural sunlight can brighten the
mood, while fresh air helps clear your mind. Sunlight also provides the right
amount of vitamin D, which triggers our body to release endorphins that give us
the feeling of happiness and euphoria. Even if it’s too cold for a walk
outside, there are many places you can visit to keep the winter blues at bay.
Shopping malls can be a great place to enjoy leisurely walks while running
errands. Visits to museums are also great opportunities to have fun with the
kids and learn at the same time.
Classes
Signing
up for a class is a great way to get out of the house and meet other people. It
allows you to learn and enjoy new things. There are also several classes that
offer activities for both mom and kids, which can be a great opportunity to
strengthen the family bond and connection. Online classes are also being
offered by different universities and organizations. It can be as serious as
taking an online degree program or taking a class to develop your hobbies such
as cooking, gardening and handcrafting.
up for a class is a great way to get out of the house and meet other people. It
allows you to learn and enjoy new things. There are also several classes that
offer activities for both mom and kids, which can be a great opportunity to
strengthen the family bond and connection. Online classes are also being
offered by different universities and organizations. It can be as serious as
taking an online degree program or taking a class to develop your hobbies such
as cooking, gardening and handcrafting.
Exercise
Aside
from the numerous health benefits it provides, exercise is also a great way to
keep yourself moving, especially during the winter. Physical activities or
exercises not only strengthen the body, but they also help release powerful
chemicals known as endorphins, which are responsible for lifting our moods. It
may seem impossible to work out during winter, but there are several ways that
can help you sweat during the cold months, and with minimal or no cost. Online or streaming workout videos and DVD’s
can be easily done at home. Dancing can also be an enjoyable workout, even with
kids. Meditation and breathing exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, are also
found to be effective in relieving seasonal depression. These particular
exercises work by modulating the stress response system, resulting in a reduced
heart rate, easy respiration and lower blood pressure. Yoga is also found to be
effective in improving focus and concentration.
from the numerous health benefits it provides, exercise is also a great way to
keep yourself moving, especially during the winter. Physical activities or
exercises not only strengthen the body, but they also help release powerful
chemicals known as endorphins, which are responsible for lifting our moods. It
may seem impossible to work out during winter, but there are several ways that
can help you sweat during the cold months, and with minimal or no cost. Online or streaming workout videos and DVD’s
can be easily done at home. Dancing can also be an enjoyable workout, even with
kids. Meditation and breathing exercises, such as yoga and tai chi, are also
found to be effective in relieving seasonal depression. These particular
exercises work by modulating the stress response system, resulting in a reduced
heart rate, easy respiration and lower blood pressure. Yoga is also found to be
effective in improving focus and concentration.
Show off your creativity
Being a
stay-at-home mom gives you the power to plan your whole day. You can use some
of your free time to practice or develop your creativity through arts and
crafts. Several studies show that art is a great way to improve
self-confidence, enhance coping skills and manage stress. Creativity is also
known to be associated with positive mood and happiness, which is very much
needed in overcoming winter blues.
stay-at-home mom gives you the power to plan your whole day. You can use some
of your free time to practice or develop your creativity through arts and
crafts. Several studies show that art is a great way to improve
self-confidence, enhance coping skills and manage stress. Creativity is also
known to be associated with positive mood and happiness, which is very much
needed in overcoming winter blues.
Socialize
Research
shows that seasonal depression is more common to those who stay at home for
longer hours and without any social connections. Spending time with family and
friends can help in keeping the spirits up. Try to plan social gatherings as
often as you can. It can be regular dates with your spouse, dining out with the
whole family or lunch out with friends. Planning these activities can be
enjoyable as well as provide you with something to look forward to.
shows that seasonal depression is more common to those who stay at home for
longer hours and without any social connections. Spending time with family and
friends can help in keeping the spirits up. Try to plan social gatherings as
often as you can. It can be regular dates with your spouse, dining out with the
whole family or lunch out with friends. Planning these activities can be
enjoyable as well as provide you with something to look forward to.
Have a healthy diet
Winter
can trigger your cravings for comfort foods, which are mostly high in calories,
and contain saturated fat and a lot of salt. Try to substitute unhealthy
comfort foods for healthier ones, or modify the recipes by choosing healthier
ingredients such as low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, whole-wheat flour,
reduced-fat soups and lean meats.
can trigger your cravings for comfort foods, which are mostly high in calories,
and contain saturated fat and a lot of salt. Try to substitute unhealthy
comfort foods for healthier ones, or modify the recipes by choosing healthier
ingredients such as low-fat milk, low-fat cheese, whole-wheat flour,
reduced-fat soups and lean meats.
Consult your doctor
It is
always best to consult your doctor or therapist if symptoms remain persistent.
There are several treatments available for seasonal affective disorder such as
light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, medication and
vitamin supplementation. A specialist can help in assessing the nature and
severity of your depressive disorder before recommending a suitable treatment.
always best to consult your doctor or therapist if symptoms remain persistent.
There are several treatments available for seasonal affective disorder such as
light therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, holistic therapy, medication and
vitamin supplementation. A specialist can help in assessing the nature and
severity of your depressive disorder before recommending a suitable treatment.
David Novak’s byline has appeared in
newspapers and magazines around the world.
He’s an avid health enthusiast, and frequently is featured in regional
and national health publications. He is also a weekly writer for Healthline. To visit his other stories on Healthline,
visit http://www.healthline.com/.
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