How To Cope As A Family During Winter

Winter can be a hard time for families. Not only is there every possibility you’ll get snowed in, it can also be difficult to have fun. You can’t exactly go to the park for a picnic in the snow, can you? Here are some ideas that will help you to cope as a family when the weather outside is frightful. Enjoy!

Keep Spirits High

In winter, it’s so important to keep spirits high in your family. Some people really hate winter, as it’s so cold and dark. Some people are even susceptible to things like Seasonal Affective Disorder, which can get worse if it isn’t sorted out early on. There are a number of ways you can keep spirits high in your family. Try making the most of the light you do get by keeping the curtains open. Speak positively and take the lead when it comes to being happy too – your kids and everybody else should follow. If you do suspect SAD, light therapy can work wonders. By using a light box, you can trick your body into thinking that it’s had plenty of sunlight, which will put you in a better mood, and can have many other benefits too.

Get Everyone Involved In Winter Chores

Winter chores don’t have to be a chore. Try getting the whole family involved, and even make a game out of it. You’ll all get everything done faster this way. You could even invest in a snow blower, just like this. It’s definitely worth investing in some winter tools that will help you to get jobs done faster, so you can all focus on having fun together and spending quality time instead.

Come Up With Plenty Of Ideas For Fun At Home

There are so many fun things you can do at home. Winter can sometimes be so bad that it means we get stuck in the house. But fear not! There are lots of things you can try. You and your kids could try baking, and you could even let them help you cook dinner. If you like picnics during summer, how about having one indoors? You can also get a few board games and films and snuggle up for the day/night. Reading is a brilliant winter activity, and if you all do it together it makes it way more fun. If you can go outside, try filling squeezy bottles with water and food coloring and making pictures in the snow. There’s also the traditional winter activities, like building a snowman.

Invest In Some High Quality Winter Gear

You’ll need to go outside together at some point, so invest in some high quality winter gear so you’re all warm and comfortable. You could look at snow boots, thermal items, and fuzzy coats, hats, and gloves. There’s nothing worse than being cold during winter, especially if you’re all going to be taking an expedition out in the snow.

Stay On Top of Your Health

It’s all too easy to let your health slide during winter. Staying on top of your health is crucial if you all want to go into summer feeling great. Make sure you all don’t just sit around eating junk and watching TV. Go for a walk in the snow and get some fresh air into your lungs. Better yet, join a class at a local gym that both you and your kids can get involved in. It’s natural to want to hibernate, but you shouldn’t! Keeping up your good habits is crucial. It’s also really important for everybody to stay hydrated. Many people don’t feel as thirsty during winter, and it stops them from drinking as much water as they should be drinking. Make sure you’re still drinking water and encouraging everybody in your family to do so. Carry bottles wherever you go. Don’t forget to visit your family doctor either, as it could be a good idea to have a flu shot. Lastly, remember how important it is to take care of your skin, even during winter. The sun can still shine brightly, and this can still cause damage. Make sure you still apply SPF to yourself and your family before heading outside. Just because it isn’t hot doesn’t mean you can let your skin care routine slip!

Try Out Some Winter Sports

Winter sports are a brilliant way to beat boredom and stay fit. You could try skiing, snowboard, ice skating – the list goes on. Try them all out until you find one you all love. If you’re all brave, you could even get into the routine of going for winter hikes together. Doing something like this just once a week will be so much fun and you’ll all still get to bond.  By the end of winter, you could all have a new skill to show off. Who knows, you might even feel compelled to book a winter skiing holiday!

Cook Some Comforting Winter Meals

Although you should still make sure you’re all getting your vegetables and nutrients, try cooking some comforting winter meals. You could make stews, hot pots, casseroles, pies, and other yummy winter foods. You can make them more healthy by making smart choices when it comes to the ingredients. For instance, using lean meats rather than the fatty stuff, and plenty of vegetables. Plan your meals in advance to make it easier, and you’ll be able to come up with so many different ideas. Soups are full of vegetables and nutrients, warm our bellies up in winter, and they are so healthy too.

Hopefully, these tips help you to cope as a family during winter. It’s only a few months out of the year (depending on where you’re from), so make the most of it rather than hating it. Use the time to try out active winter activities, eat healthy but comforting foods, and spend time together at home. If you have any tips of your own that you swear by, make sure you leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!

Samantha

Samantha hails from Virginia and is a proud wife to a retired Deputy Sheriff and mother to two amazing little boys named Jack & William. A veteran product reviewer; Samantha has been reviewing products for 8 years and offers high quality product reviews with original photography.