Overcome the Winter Blahs

Written by Claudia and David Arp, MSW

It’s still a couple of weeks until spring and the weather can still sometimes be depressing. The kids may be bored and your relationships may be suffering. What can you do to beat the winter blahs and energize your marriage and family? Consider the following:

1. Go fitness walking at a local mall before the stores open.

2. Have a picnic on the living room floor. Gather your indoor plants, spread a table cloth or blanket and pretend you’re outside.

3. If you have a fireplace, make a fire and roast hot dogs or marshmallows.

4. Try a new recipe and at dinner let each share something you’re looking forward to this spring.

5. Call or write someone you haven’t contacted for a long time.

6. Have a dinnertime shuffle. Everyone sits at someone else’s place and acts like that person.

7. Take a picnic lunch to work with a checkered tablecloth. Add some colored eggs.

8. Visit a nursing home or a friend in a hospital.

9. Have a window shopping date with a twist. Look for all the things you already have!

10. In case of snow, be the first to organize a neighborhood snowball fight.

And remember spring is just around the corner! Invest time now in your marriage and family and you can begin the new season with healthy relationships!

If you’re feeling depressed, it may not just be the weather. Depression is often caused by low self-esteem. If you would like to speak with someone privately & confidentially, please contact us to talk.