Winter can be a challenging time. In many areas, it’s too cold to take your child outside for long periods, and they may get bored or upset with being confined indoors all the time. You may see a connection between winter and mental health for kids, just as it can negatively affect adults. Prioritizing your child’s psychological and physical health is immensely important during these chilly months. In this post, I’m sharing how to look after your child’s mental and physical health this winter.
These winter mental health tips help you support your child through what might be a difficult season.
1. Work Out Together
The first way to beat the depressive season is to boost your mental health through physical activity. Exercise is an excellent tool to promote mental health and ward off depression. Encourage your child to get active however they can. When playing outside isn’t feasible, find some way for them to get busy indoors.
You can turn chores into a race, but this might not be enough movement for your child. In that case, find some fun, kid-friendly exercises for free online. You can work together to complete these activities and consider them a bonding moment for you and your kid.
2. Go Somewhere Fun
Spending too much time inside could negatively affect your child’s mental health. They don’t have much to interact with indoors and can’t explore the outside for very long in the cold. Choosing somewhere indoors that can occupy, excite and maybe even educate your child is one of the best opportunities you can come by. Check in with your local museums or trampoline parks.
If the weather isn’t too bad, you can visit a fun landmark in your area, such as one of the 32 sites with national historical significance in Kentucky. History buffs will enjoy Camp Nelson Civil War Heritage Park in Jessamine County. Make sure you dress warmly if you plan to be outside for a while.
3. Ask Them How They Feel
One of the best ways to understand the effects of winter and mental health for kids is to sit with them and talk to them about how they feel. Ask them if they’ve felt sad or empty recently.
Make sure mental health is not a taboo topic in your house. If your child needs help, you want to do everything in your power to show them you care and get them what they need to feel better. Having discussions with your kid about their emotions can teach them that they can trust and be honest with you, now and in the future.
4. Wear Warm Clothing
Winter can be particularly cold on some days, so you must ensure your child is warm enough in the chilly weather. Dressing warmly can also ease joint pain. Encouraging your child to wear weather-appropriate clothing can help them regulate their blood flow, which will soothe any pain they may have from a past sports injury or accident. The right garments can help decrease the likelihood of frostbite and other weather-related ailments.
5. Get Sunlight
One of the best winter mental health tips you can receive is to ensure you and your child get enough sunlight. Since the sun isn’t out for as long in the winter, people might be more prone to depression. Without the right amount of light, your child might experience disruptions to their circadian rhythm, which regulates their sleep and wake cycles. The best remedy for not getting enough sunlight is to take part in light therapy.
Light therapy can be as simple as getting more outdoor time. Make sure your child bundles up and enjoys the sunlight during the short hours it’s out. Otherwise, you can get a special light for indoors. You can keep it turned on while your child works at a desk or plays quietly. While it isn’t a replacement for the sun, artificial light can help boost mental health.
6. Encourage Good Hygiene
Your child should know how to protect themselves in all areas of life. When they’re away from home, whether at school or day care, they must wash their hands frequently and keep them to themselves. Teach them about germs and staying healthy when away from home. Then, they can protect themselves even when you’re not with them.
7. Eat Well
People can be more susceptible to sickness in the winter, so you may want to boost your child’s health in every area of your life. Eating foods rich in vitamin A can keep your respiratory system strong, while the vitamin C you’ll find in many fruits can help you form more antibodies. Try to keep your children on a healthy diet at all times of the year, not just in winter. You could also boost their immune systems with probiotics and daily vitamin supplements.
Follow Winter Mental Health Tips for Best Results
You never know how winter and mental health for kids will mix until you go through the season with them. They may dislike how little light there is and how they can’t spend as much time outside. They could always benefit from general health tips during this season, too.
Sit down with your child and help them brainstorm the best ways to follow these winter mental health tips to keep them happy and healthy throughout the cold, dark winter months.
