Manchester, N.H. winters are great for providing that snow kissed scenery everyone imagines when they envision what winter looks like, but for many stay-at-home-moms (SAHMs), it can feel like a prison sentence. The freezing temperatures and lack of sunlight on top of taking care of your children can leave you feeling lethargic and desperate for sunny beaches. Thankfully, there are simple solutions to avoid cabin fever during these chilly months.
Keep a Daily Routine
You don’t have to plan out every moment of your day, but having a rough schedule of when you (and your children) get up, eat meals and snacks, play, do chores and relax provides predictability that will cause less stress for you and your little ones. While routines help make your days predictable, don’t stress if you have to change things up a little bit. In an article for Parenting.com, Paula Spencer notes that a good approach to keeping your youngest ones on a good routine is to just go with the flow and not think about it too much. Trusting your instincts will help you and baby stay happy and relaxed.
Make Time For Yourself
Let your partner take care of the kids while you take a long bath, read a book or go shopping for yourself. It’s important to take time for yourself to get your mind off nap time and teaching your toddler the A-B-Cs. This includes making time to spend alone with your partner. It’s important to have time alone to reconnect and remember why you care for one another so much.
Exercise
With children in toe, it’s not hard to get your daily dose of exercise in. Playing with your kids, running errands, carrying groceries and backpacks up the stairs, going for walks and playing hide and seek are all simple ways exercise can fit into your daily routine. Regular exercise helps keep you healthy, sets a good example for your kids, and can help reduce stress. The Mayo Clinic website notes that exercise helps you to manage your weight, keep you in a good mood and give you more energy. Regular exercise isn’t just important for mom, it’s important for dad to stay healthy too. In a February 2011 issue of Harvard Men’s Health Watch, one report found that aerobic exercise helps not only your heart health, but also helps you fight off depression.
Enjoy Warm Weather and Playgroups
Make use of warmer winter days by making snow men with your kids, going for a walk through the woods. When the weather is cold, go to a local mommy-and-me event or play group so you and your child can socialize with others who share your interests.
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