How do you cope with the winter blues?

Katelyn - posted on 02/03/2011

I live in western PA, so I know the weather/ winter blues all too well...my son is 17months and all he wants to do is run, run and run. Most of this winter has been like negative temps and he gets ear infections, bronchitis, and sinus infections really quickly, as do I. So I try to keep him inside unless its somewhat warm (for being winter).

I feel bad because I know my son is getting just as bored with the walls as I am. So I've tried changing things up for him like rotating out his toys. Ill leave his favorite ones out, but the toys at the bottom of the toy box that he didnt even know he had ill bring those ones out and he can play with those for a couple days, and then ill swap the other ones back for a couple days. it's like christmas to him. Then there is finger paints get some poster bored and let them finger paint and even get their feet in it and run all over the poster bored (if you have an area to do it in). umm...coloring, I've recently started taking him to do laundry with me. When he was younger I didn't take him to do laundry with me because it was in the basement with a cement floor and just a horrible idea lol...but now that he puts his hands out when he falls or takes a digger he lifts his head a little bit so it doesn't smack off the floor ill take him and he loves helping putting the clothes from the washer into the dryer. Also change the area that she plays in if possible...in our house we have a finished off room in the basement, the living room and his bedroom where he has toys at. Most of the time he bounces between the living room and his bedroom (they are on the same floor) but ill leave the door open to his bedroom and the light on and he will play with toys but i can tell when he is bored so we will go down into the basement and its a new environment so he likes it and gets excited.

I know these are all ideas for the babies, but if they are entertained or excited then there are more smiles and that brightens the day also it makes the day go quicker.

Trust me I am going nuts and crazy from being stuck in my house, but these are things that I've done to just get through it. Like someone else already said Ill bundle him up and we'll walk to the mailbox and back which turns into a half our affair because my driveway is rather long and he runs this way and splats then he gets back up and does it all over again...(haha when we get close to the road of course i am holding him)

Katherine - posted on 02/03/2011

I live in a rural town of about 1000 people. we only have a gas station, general store a library and a park. lots of snow around this time. I dont ever get the winter blues. We play in the snow, go for walks, go for drives, we have 4 wheel vehicles because we are an outdooor family, hunting fishing hiking walking. I get out in the cold and we still carry on with life. On really cold days when its snowing we get our coats on and have a snow ball fight with our 4 dogs and each other. make snow man, angels. we do alot of baking, normal house work. arts n crafts. I really dont put mylife on hold becaues of the cold. Never have so i dont understand the winter blues. I hope you find a way to cope with it. i should also mention that I have not always lived in cold ,snow climates either. i was born and raised in Vegas so the snow covered and Ice covered yards n roads are knew to me, but i dont let it get to me. we get out and have fun in all seasons.

Erin - posted on 02/03/2011

Hi Deana,
I went through PPD and every once in a while I'll get bluish and moody. I do find it's worse when I'm getting menstrual though, so I can usually prepare for when it's happening. I live in rural south saskatchewan and definitely know what you're talking about as far as weather goes. I started Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and that seems to be helping with confidence as I too have a 1 1/2 year old girl. I've been watching what I've been eating and taking pride in when I've had a good day for what I put in my mouth. Eating well helps. I started drinking my coffee black and I find that I'm not having the highs and lows I would get with the sugar and cream in there. Taking a multi vitamin and a vitamin D supplement helps too with energy. I went to a natural health foods store in town and the pharmacist started me on a omega 3 6 complex for emotional health. I'm really bad for taking pills though, but when I am taking them they make me feel a lot better after only a few days. I think also when you take a proactive approach to your physical and emotional health it has a great impact altogether.
As far as being stressed, take a B vitamin complex, it does help when you take them regularly. Unfortunately, as mothers we'll always be stressed, especially if it's the first time around. Every new thing your daughter does is exciting and stressful at the same time. It goes hand in hand. I find that working out helps. But I am a smoker so I tend to use that as a crutch in stressful situations (slap my hand :)) I try to do things that I enjoy though, like reading and sewing and crafty things, but I find I have little time to do them. So when I feel overwhelmed by house work, and cooking and my children I just stop and say " I'm home with my children, this is my dream job! I'm so lucky! They're are so many people who would do anything to be there for everything their child does, but can't. I am truly blessed!" Doing this makes me feel grattitude for the life I have and take pride in my home, and when I have that pride, the hours in the day couldn't be long enough for me. Not to get the house work, or cooking done, but just to spend time with my family and enjoy them in our home. As mothers we want to give them the best of everything, and we really can as long as we're emotionally available to them for their growth. I hope this helped. Just writting this makes me want to get the day started! Good luck!

Linda - posted on 02/02/2011

Hi Deana,
If you can't get outside, atleast sit by the window to get some sun! Good Nutrition and exercise are KEY for helping to alleviate depression and stress. Maybe you could put on some fun music and just dance around the living room with your little girl...work up a sweat! Make sure you are taking the time to fix nutritious meals with a lean protein, a complex carb and a healthy fat. Try to cut out the junk food...it does a number on your brain chemistry. Maybe take a few minutes each day to write in a gratitude journal...when we focus on all the positive stuff, the rest doesn't seem so bad. I also found that if you have a goal to work towards and focus on, it helps.(I started my own home based business for that very reason.) Keep your chin up, spring will be here in no time!
Have a fabulous week!
Linda
PS. If you think you may be seriously depressed, make an appointment with your Doctor...some women have Post Partum depression after giving birth and even though they may start to feel a little better as time goes on, they never get back "up" to where they were. I'm speaking from experience. I didn't want to take medication, so my Doctor recommended this Nutritional Cleanse, it helped balance out my brain chemistry and body, I felt a lot better!

Elfrieda - posted on 02/02/2011

Try to go outside every day, even if it's just to the end of the driveway to the mailbox with the baby in the sled. I find that fresh air helps.

Mary - posted on 02/02/2011

Hi Deana, I am also a SAHM that lives in a cold climate.
I like to open all my blinds and let in as much sunlight as possible, we set up picnics in the livingroom, and small play pool in the kitchen. I try and make it feel like summer in my house. it makes a huge mess, but the kids love it, we laugh a lot, and sometimes we invite friends over to join us.
Hope this helps