Winter Blues and the Stay at Home Mom

When winter sets in and the weather turns cold and dreary, many individuals suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD. The name rings true for those who are deeply affected by the dark days of winter. Even those individuals who don't technically qualify for a diagnosis of SAD are still likely to experience the winter blues. Cold, dark, rainy, windy, and snowy weather is enough to get anyone down in the dumps. If you are a stay at home mom, you are even more likely to suffer from a case of the winter blues, as you may struggle to stay active and get out of the house on a daily basis. Stay at home moms can avoid the winter blues by keeping these tips in mind as the season approaches.

Get out of the house.
When it's cold and dark out the last thing that you might want to do is bundle up the kids and go somewhere, but that may actually be the best thing for you. Getting out of the house will break up your day and expose you and the kids to more daylight. Not sure what to do or where to go? Even a trip to the grocery store for bread or a walk around the block will work.

Become a joiner.
I am not one to join groups of any kind. However, by joining local toddler groups and visiting the library's story time on a weekly basis, I am able to stay social with other moms and children. This socializing can help keep the winter blues at bay. In addition, I've found that taking one night a week for myself has helped, too. Joining knitting clubs, running clubs, and book clubs are all wonderful options for stay at home moms, especially in the winter.

Get active.
Exercise is good for you no matter the time of year. Winter, though, brings with it a list of very plausible reasons for avoiding the gym and for staying inside and watching television or eating cookie dough. Don't give excuses! Stay active. By going to the gym, taking a walk around the mall or the block, or hopping on the dusty treadmill in your basement, moms suffering from the winter blues are able to keep their energy up and their depression at bay. Thank goodness for endorphins.

See the sun every day.
This is easier said than done, especially if you live in New England or another cold and dark winter climate around the world. However, light therapy is a very affective treatment for SAD, and it works for the winter blues as well. Consider investing in a litebook or similar product. Tanning beds have also been proven to be effective for treatment of SAD.

Everyone can experience some form of the winter blues if living in a climate where winter months are cold and dark. Stay at home moms, who aren't forced to leave the house every day, can be at even more risk. By paying attention to your potential to experience SAD or the winter blues, you can adequately prepare yourself for the rough winter months.