![]() There are also plenty of at-home activities that will get your heart pumping, too. (Try snowshoeing, cross-country or downhill skiing, ice skating/hockey, snowboarding, etc.) If indoor activities are more up your alley try hitting a gym or other indoor venues for swimming, gymnastics/ tumbling (for the kids), rock wall climbing, roller skating, laser tag, etc. If you like outdoor winter sports, then you and your family can easily combine steps 1 & 2. Plus, the increased amount of endorphins from exercise can put everyone in a cheerier mood. But, it is necessary to increase your body’s abilities to remain alert and focused and to help your kids work out their increased levels of cortisol (which is making them bounce off the walls). When you’d really rather pull the covers over your head or put on a good movie, this one can be tough. And, of course, don’t forget about making snow angels. You could even have a snowball fight or build snow people/animals with your kids. So, take a brisk 30-minute walk, lace up your ice skates and take several laps on an outdoor rink, or take a few runs down a sledding hill. And, there’s more good news: you don’t have to be outside all day to reap the benefits. This means you will feel more energized all day long and your kids will feel (and act!) calmer. But, exposure to sunlight (even if it’s through a cloud cover) is one of the best ways to get Vitamin D, which is a natural stimulant and antidepressant. ![]() I know, it’s likely the last thing you want to do on a chilly winter’s day. If cabin fever is occurring with gusto at your home, consider following these three steps to help you and your family combat the winter blues and rediscover your sunny dispositions. So, while you’re “settling in for a long winter’s nap,” your children are ready to climb the walls, furniture, light fixtures, and anything else they can find. It turns out that the shorter days have messed with our Circadian Rhythms, or the body’s natural behavioral response to light and dark (having to wake up when it’s still dark staying awake after the sun has set), and adults and kids have completely different responses to it. But, where adults are fighting off the desire to stay in their PJs and cuddle up with a blanket to read a book or take a nap, kids are dealing with the winter blues by going totally bonkers with pent up energy. If this happens to you, you can bet the next sunny winter day that it’s happening to your kids, too. Like much of nature, I just want to hibernate. The excitement of the holidays and first snowfall has passed leaving us with the reality of less daylight, cold temperatures, and, in some areas, snow and ice on the ground.
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