SAHM GUIDE TO OVERCOME THE WINTER BLUES
Stay-at-home-mom (SAHM) depression is a real thing. No matter the reason you are a SAHM, whether it was a dream come true or a necessity it is Hard AF. That does not diminish the gift and gratefulness you feel being a SAHM, but it’s just reality. It is OK to love and adore your children unconditionally but also complain about them. That makes you human.
I have struggled with winter blues even before I was a mom, but this year with the pandemic isolation winter has been much harder. Winter blues coupled with postpartum anxiety and anger has this mama feeling so the type of way. Starting this motherhood journey with a pandemic pregnancy and isolation has been a process I wish upon nobody. Now being cooped up inside with a 7-Month-Old in a winter wonderland has been challenging.
The winter blues have taken a toll on my mental and physical health, with endless days of clouds, cold, and no sun. Vitamin D is severely lacking, my mood is poor, I have no energy, and have a very short fuse. If you are feeling like this too mama, you are not alone. Although there are not many things we can do to prevent Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) there are activities we can do to boost our mood while we are experiencing the winter blues.
What are the Winter Blues
SAD can happen year-round as it a depression that is related to the changes of season. Many of us think of SAD as just the winter blues but can happen anytime during the year and so much more than feeling down. Some symptoms you can experience with SAD are:
- Feeling sad or down most days
- Low energy and feeling sluggish
- Trouble sleeping or oversleeping
- Craving carbohydrates and sugar, overeating
- Feeling isolated or alone
What causes SAD?
- Less sunlight and shorter days
- Melatonin, a sleep-related hormone, also has been linked to SAD. The body naturally makes more melatonin when it's dark.
- Vitamin D Deficit
- Negative Thoughts
- Brain chemical imbalance
7 Activities to help ease winter blues
Here are 7 mood-boosting activities that you can do with and without your babies to help combat the winter blues. Your symptoms may not ease right away but consistently working on these mood-boosting activities will help over time. Before you know it the snow will melt and the sun will shine once again.
Start the morning right
A morning routine can help set your day up for success. My ideal morning routine looks like this; Be the first to wake up, drink a warm cup of coffee, recite daily affirmations, journal, read a couple of pages of my personal development book, then exercise. Even if it is 10 minutes, besides coffee what can you do to fill your cup bright and early?
Get out
Doesn’t matter where you live the winter blues can strike at any moment especially if you live in a place that is cold and cloudy during the winter months. Some creative ways to get out of the house are walking the mall, visiting a library, grocery shopping, catching a movie, a coffee shop, or bundling up to go outside.
Exercise
Endorphins, energy, and engagement. Reconnect with your mind and body through physical activity. Even just 10 minutes a day is shown to improve mood and boost energy levels. I love to exercise while my baby is awake and playing right next to me.
Mom Tribe
One of the first things we do when we experience SAD is isolate and retreat, especially for us mamas. One of the best things you can do is surround yourself with people who will lift you up. Get togethers with other mamas, playdates, time with partner, and spending time with family.
Tackle projects
Celebrate the little wins by completing small or big projects. Freshen up paint in the living room, decorate the nursery, fix the squeaky door, complete the baby book, print your newborn photos to hang up, or anything in between. If you are stuck in your house either because of poor weather or low energy spice up your place, you are spending a lot of time there.
Take time for you
This one is usually put on the bottom of our to-do lists. Adding in even just a few minutes of “me” time makes a huge difference. Some examples are long baths, hot shower, reading, watching favorite Neflix series, exercising, going for walk alone, meditating, shopping, or even taking a nap.
Date night
When was the last time you dated your partner? Like really date them? Not just 1 night out to eat a month but on a weekly or bi-monthly basis spends alone time with your partner. Reconnecting with your partner is a great day to brush off those winter blues.
"The sun will come our tomorrow" is not always true in the winter time but it will shine again soon. In the meantime try these activities!