Winter can be a difficult time for many children, teens, adults and families. If you are in Southern Ontario like me, then you know how long and dark the winter can feel, especially by the end of February!
Every February I see the impact of winter on my counselling clients. Children’s aggressive behaviours increase because they’ve spent so much time inside. They’ve missed recesses due to bad weather and are in serious need of some grass to burn some energy on! This time of year, teens seem to be at an all time low in mood and an all time high in stress. Parents and teachers are feeling exhausted and ready for the summer. I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I am feeling ready for some sunshine! It can be hard to endure this last stretch of cold days, so here are my tips for helping your kids and teens make it through to spring.
1. Get Outside – I know this hard when the weather is terrible, but as often as you can, try to get your kids outside. Fresh air and active play are so important for mental health. Take advantage of any sunshine you can to give your kids an extra boost of Vitamin D. Playing outside can help burn off some excess energy which can improve your child’s sleep, improve their mood, and reduce aggressive behaviours.
2. Find Ways to Stay Active Inside – This one can be especially tough for teens who would rather play video games than run around, but helping your children or teens find ways to stay active inside can be so helpful for those bad weather days. Hit the indoor pool, enroll your kids and teens in regular indoor activities, go rock climbing, check out classes at your local community centre, or just go walk around the mall. Staying active is one of the most important factors in supporting mental health and is important for children of all ages (and their parents!).
3. Ramp up the Healthy Foods – In winter months we don’t get a lot of sunshine which reduces our intake of Vitamin D. Colds are flying around and the added stress of school can negatively impact the immune system. During the winter it seems like all factors are working against our immune systems, making it more difficult to stay healthy. We now know that there is a clear connection between physical health and mental health, so to keep your kids mentally healthy, they have to stay physically healthy as well. Ramp up the healthy food at home, or talk to a registered nutritionist about other ways to help your kids get the essential vitamins they need.
4. Look out for Signs of Depression – The winter months can seriously impact mental health. I see many teens in my practice who experience a negative dip in their mood over the winter. Watch out for signs of depression or seasonal affective disorder in your teens, such as a change in appetite, change in sleep habits, persistent low mood, loss of interest in activities, and/or trouble concentrating or remembering. If you have concerns, talk to your doctor or trusted mental health professional to get your teen the support they need.
5. Increase the Fun – Kids and Teens are really feeling the pressure at school this time of year. They are not quite in the home stretch yet and it feels like the school year and the winter weather will never end! Finding ways to have fun as a family can help relieve stress and give kids and teens something fun to look forward to.
I know these last few weeks of winter can be tough, but with some healthy choices and fun activities we can help kids and teens make it through.
Until next time,
Meg
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