The winter weather can have significant effects on our mood and daily routine. It is hard to feel positive and stay motivated as the sun is setting sooner and the days are colder. Mothers are always putting others first. The daily struggles of raising a family can feel even more daunting when our mood is affected by the winter weather. At this time more than ever, it is important to stick to a routine, get outside and take care of yourself. Follow along for some tips to make this season less of a struggle.

Finding Ways to Get Outside

Even in the change of seasons, fresh air will never lose its benefits. Obviously, you can not spend nearly as much time outdoors as you can in other seasons, but taking advantage of the little bits of sunshine is still important for your overall wellness. Fresh air in your lungs and some sunshine on your face can go a long way to boosting your mood.

Playing in the snow with your kids or walking your dog can make a huge impact on how you feel throughout the day. Not only will getting outside be a healthy routine in your day, but it also will improve your mental health. Getting outside can help us avoid the cabin fever many of us have currently as well. Here are some more ideas if you are looking for more ways to get outside during the winter.

Beating the Darkness

Winter has the shortest days of the year. Yes, it is still 24 hours, however with the shortest amount of sunlight of the year, it can feel like the days go by way too fast. As it gets dark earlier in the day, it can drain all the energy out of you and make you feel unmotivated. The seasonal change and lack of daylight can even affect your sleep patterns. Your biological clock is out of sync due to the time changes, and together with your routines being shifted, you may feel ready for bed right after dinner time. As a mother, you are not only in charge of your schedule but your family as well, so it is important that you do not let your normal routines be changed. 

Make sure that despite the darkness outside, you are still getting out of bed and going to bed at the same time. Find something you can do for yourself in the morning that you look forward to. Whether it’s your morning cup of coffee or your favorite talk show, this will get you out of bed and start your day with a positive mentality. Also, ensure that just because it gets dark earlier, you are still doing your best to fill the day with the important tasks you need to complete.

Preventing Seasonal Depression

Seasonal affective disorder is a problem many people face during the winter. SAD shows itself as common depression, but it is caused by the chemical shift in your brain and body during this season. Ever felt as if you can’t even get out of bed in the morning, or nothing seems to get you motivated or excited? These can be typical signs of SAD and are even more common in winter as you are stuck indoors with shorter amounts of sunshine. If you are feeling these negative thoughts and emotions you might want to seek help. There are seasonal affective disorder medications you can look into for SAD that will help with this chemical imbalance and feeling of being drained and unmotivated. Check with doctors and see if they would be a good fit for you. 

Lack of sunlight can leave you feeling very lethargic and depressed. Even when you cannot find sunlight during the day, there are ways for you to still achieve the feeling of being in the sun. Light therapy lamps can replicate the feeling you receive when sitting in the sun. This will help boost your mood and can affect the chemicals within your body to decrease the feeling of seasonal depressive disorder.

Staying Healthy

Cold and flu season is in full force and the last thing you want is for your whole house to come down with a sickness. We can tell our children to wash their hands and to keep their distance at school, however, that will only go so far. As a mother, it is important that you are trying to keep both your – and their – immune systems as strong as possible. Eating nutritious meals and getting enough sleep helps bolster our immune systems so we’re ready to fight off illness when it comes. 

Another important aspect of staying healthy is making sure your body and skin are well cared for. In fact, your skin is an active immune organ. Dry skin and irritation are very common during the wintertime. This means it’s vital to clean your skin in the morning and before bed and drink plenty of water throughout the day.  Make sure you are finding moisturizers for both you and your children to use after the shower. Here are some recommended moisturizers to add to your post-shower routine. 

The winter can feel like it goes on forever, but the more you take care of yourself, the faster it will fly by. We know you have a lot on your plate as a mother, but make sure you are cognizant of your own struggles, as well as your family’s this winter, and take care of your mind and body!