Ways To Combat The Post-Daylight Savings Blues

There are so many wonderful things to love about fall and winter. The deliciously spiced hot beverages, cuddling under a warm blanket to watch a movie, and watching the leaves change color. However, there’s one thing that makes things a bit challenging for a lot of us: Daylight Savings Time. A lot of people, kids included, will feel more tired, less social, and just plain blah following the time change, which usually causes it to get dark much earlier in the day. Here are some ways to help ease into winter.

Take Vitamin D

As it gets darker earlier in the day and it gets colder outside, this means that most of us will be spending a lot less time in the sun, which means we’ll likely be taking in a lot less vitamin D. Consult with your doctor, who will check your vitamin D levels, and then perhaps start taking a supplement. Your doctor will recommend the dosage you might need. You can also include foods that are rich in the vitamin that kids like including eggs, milk, yogurt, and tuna fish.

Staying Active

Keeping fit is difficult in the best of times, but can be a lot harder when it gets to be this time of year. That’s why it’s important to make a plan and stick to it, because moving around and getting exercises can be a great way to boost your mood. If going to the gym isn’t your thing, try finding an activity that you do enjoy that will help get you moving. Even going for a walk can do the trick, and you can even find activities to do as a family to help motivate one another.

Make Some Plans

Of course, the most comfortable thing to do during these chillier months is to get in the house and not leave unless you have to. It can be a struggle to go out without having to for a specific reason, but this can contribute to feeling the winter blues. Try to plan activities that will get you out of the house, even for a little bit. This can be going out for a nice dinner together as a family, or heading to the movies on the weekend. It doesn’t have to be much, but it will help in a big way.

Go Outside

This is a tricky one, even for the adults in the family. However, getting outside is really important for mood levels, even if it’s only for a few minutes. Getting fresh air will almost always be a mood booster. You can combine this one with an active activity, even if it isn’t a really fun one like clearing snow. While it’s not the most fun, the fresh air and feeling of getting something done will definitely help.

Try To Stay Upbeat

It can be truly a challenge to fight off the the lethargic feeling of the winter, but that doesn’t mean we can’t try. Sometimes it just means letting yourself rest and maybe putting off some tasks that aren’t pressing until you’re feeling more rejuvenated. You can try to stay upbeat and focus on the things that you do like about winter, and remind your kids about the things that they enjoy in this time of the year. At the same time, it’s okay to recognize that these feelings are valid and take it easy.