Get 14 ideas for how to combat the winter blues. Thrive rather than survive during the long, cold winter months.
Winter can be a magical time of year, filled with cozy nights by the fire, hot chocolate, and holiday celebrations. However, as the days grow shorter, the cold sets in, and the sunshine becomes scarce, both kids and parents can sometimes experience the winter blues. We love living where there is winter, but winter can definitely get very LONG. Whether it’s due to the lack of outdoor activities or the general sluggishness that comes with chilly days, it’s essential to take steps to combat those wintertime funks.
Ideas to Combat Winter Blues
Here are some practical tips to help both kids and parents stay happy and healthy during the colder months.
1. Create a Cozy and Inviting Home Environment
When it’s cold outside, make your home a warm haven. Set up cozy reading corners, soft lighting, and comfortable blankets. A warm, inviting space can do wonders for everyone’s mood. Encourage your kids to read books, do crafts, or play games in these areas. For parents, try setting up a cozy spot to unwind, allowing some peace amid the winter hustle.
2. Get Daylight Lightbulbs
With all of that said, one of the best things we ever did was get daylight lightbulbs. When the sun rises close to 8:00 AM goes down by 4:30 PM, you have limited daylight hours. This can lead to depression. Daylight lightbulbs allow you to have things as bright as a sunny summer day and can really lift your mood! Create the cozy feel with your lamps, but use daylight lighting in your overhead lights.
3. Keep Active, Even Indoors
It’s easy for everyone to feel sluggish when it’s cold outside, but staying active can be a major mood booster. Try indoor activities like dancing to music, yoga, or setting up obstacle courses in the living room. You can also make use of fitness apps and family-friendly workout videos to get everyone moving. When the weather allows, bundling up for outdoor playtime can help too. A brisk walk, a game of tag, or a short run can work wonders. People often say there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. Bundle up and get outside each day if you can. Take up a winter sport if you can, such as ice skating, skiing, or snowmobiling. Go snowshoeing or cross-country skiing. Go sledding.
>>>Read: The Best Snow Clothes and Gear for Kids
4. Set Up a Routine (But Leave Room for Fun)
Winter can disrupt family routines, especially with early sunsets and unpredictable weather. To help combat the winter blues, try to establish a daily routine that includes activities everyone enjoys—whether that’s meal planning, reading, or crafting. But don’t forget to leave room for spontaneity and fun, too! Unexpected dance parties in the kitchen or impromptu indoor picnics can bring some joy to the day.
5. Spend Time in Nature (When Possible)
While it can be tempting to stay inside all day, exposure to natural light is essential for regulating mood. Even if it’s just a quick walk in the park or some time spent on the porch, getting outside helps to elevate serotonin levels and can improve overall well-being. Try to embrace the winter landscape with activities like sledding, ice skating, or building a snowman. Even on dreary days, just a few minutes in the fresh air can make a huge difference.
6. Stay Connected
Winter can feel isolating when everyone is stuck indoors. It’s important for both kids and parents to stay socially connected. Schedule playdates, have a movie night with friends, or plan meet-ups. For parents, carving out time for a quick chat with a friend or family member can be a great way to lift spirits. For the parents, you can also plan to go out to dinner with friends or have friends over for a night of visiting.
7. Encourage Healthy Eating
The foods we eat play a significant role in how we feel. In the winter months, try to focus on comfort foods that are both nourishing and uplifting. Incorporate foods rich in vitamin D (like eggs, salmon, and fortified cereals) and try to include a variety of fruits and vegetables to boost everyone’s immune systems. Warm soups, stews, and homemade baked goods are also great for warming up and bringing the family together. This can be a great time to teach your kids how to make something new in the kitchen!
8. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
When it feels like winter is dragging on, try practicing some simple mindfulness exercises. Encourage your kids to take deep breaths when they feel frustrated or bored, or guide them through a calming visualization exercise. For parents, meditation, journaling, or even just a few quiet moments can help to reset your mind and reduce feelings of stress. In our modern day and lifestyle, we rarely leave time for silence in our day. We can always have a podcast, music, or show streaming. Having even just a few minutes of silence each day is such good practice. If you are religious, have daily scripture study, also.
9. Focus on Family Bonding
Winter can be the perfect time to slow down and spend quality time as a family. Board games, puzzles, movie nights, or cooking together in the kitchen create opportunities for connection and laughter. These moments not only help to combat the winter blues, but they also create lasting memories.
10. Get Creative with Indoor Activities
When it’s too cold or wet to play outside, get creative with indoor projects. Build forts out of blankets, bake cookies together, or start a DIY craft project. Indoor activities can bring a sense of adventure even when you’re stuck inside. Plus, they help to break up the monotony that can come with long winter days.
>>>Read: Helping Kids Stay Sane When Stuck Indoors
11. Deep Clean and Organize
I find the winter months to be a great time to deep clean and really organize. It lifts the mind and clears the mind of clutter. You get endorphins for accomplishing tasks, so it helps in that way, also! Deep cleaning and organizing can be overwhelming. I just pick one item a day, and that item can be as small as one drawer. I remove everything from that space. I clean the space (so dust and clean out the drawer, shelf, closet, etc). Then I put stuff back. As you put things back, you will have things you realize you never use and don’t need.
12. Take Vitamin D
For many (if not all) people living where there is winter, we can’t get the Vitamin D we need from the sun during winter months. Some studies suggest that Vitamin D supplements can help with mild seasonal depression and lift mood. I always take D3 in the winter.
13. Get Out of Town
If it is at all possible, get out of town for at least a weekend at some point. For us, a 6 hour drive south gets us to a much warmer and sunnier climate. Head somewhere warmer and sunnier. If that isn’t possible, just somewhere different than home can do a lot to lift your mood. We can really become homebodies the more we ar in our houses.
14. Seek Professional Help if Needed
Finally, if the winter blues persist and begin to affect daily life, it’s essential to talk to a professional. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is real, and it can impact both children and adults. A healthcare provider can offer support and suggest treatment options, including light therapy or therapy sessions.
Conclusion
Winter doesn’t have to bring on a sense of gloom and boredom. By creating a cozy home, staying active, and making time for family connection, both kids and parents can find joy and energy during the colder months. A little planning, creativity, and a positive mindset can go a long way in keeping the winter blues at bay. Embrace the season with intention and warmth, and remember that the brighter days are just around the corner!
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