Don’t Let “Winter Blues” Be A Thief To Your Child’s Joy: Tips To Boost Your Little One’s Mood

The shorter days, longer nights, and unfavorable winter weather often hinder outside playtime, adversely impacting children’s mood. Hence, kids often struggle to stay optimistic and active during the colder months.

Many adults experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)—a kind of depression that sets in and sets off following a seasonal pattern. Although SAD commonly affects adults, it is not unusual for children to experience it too. As a parent, you can try the following activities with your little ones to keep winter blues at bay.

Allow your children to play in the sun.

The chilly season may limit your child’s outdoor playtime. However, you should consider allowing your kids to run and play in the sun regularly. Exposure to sunlight and fresh air can comfort your child and help boost their mood. Light therapy can combat winter blues. Keep all the curtains open in the house to let sunlight in. Make your child sit closer to the window for at least fifteen minutes every day.

Model a positive idea of winter.

If you talk negatively about the colder months, your children might also start dreading the short, chilly days—adversely impacting their perception of winter. Try to model a delightful and positive idea about winter. Get your little ones excited about all the fun activities and festivities they can enjoy when winter sets in.

Maintain a proper sleep schedule.

The winter blues can impact your child’s mood in different ways, like causing irritability, loss of energy, or fatigue. It becomes especially important during winter months to ensure that your kids are getting adequate sleep at night. Maintaining a consistent bedtime routine for your children will help them get 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep, which is essential to help regulate their mood.

Make your kids wear bright colors.

The winter season may be gloomy, dark, and murky, but your children don’t need to complement the gray mood! Bid farewell to winter blues with bright-colored garments and woolens that can naturally uplift your kid's mood.

Get social and enjoy some hearty laughter.

Laughter is like a medicine that can drive away winter blues. It can help minimize stress hormones and instantly uplift your mood. Manage time to watch funny films with your kids, play their favorite board games, or arrange a playdate for them at home. You can also cook their comfort food to delight them on a very chilly and windy day when playing outdoor games may not be the best idea.

Help your little one enjoy the best of the winter season with these simple activities, and do not allow winter blues to be a thief to their joy.