Beating the Winter Blahs: Tips for Mom’s Survival

Daily Truth: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.”  Genesis 8:22

I love the winter in the sense of what it represents such as snow, fireplaces, hot chocolate, sweaters, etc.  You get the idea.

I actually even like the winter cold.  Hats off to my New England blood.

However, driving the kids to school in -8 degree weather is beyond even the cold I can handle.

It is about this time of year that I experience the winter blahs.  The Christmas tree is down, it’s dark when you get up and it’s dark by 6 in the evening.

Lately, the kids haven’t been able to go outside and play.  So, the sibling rivalry has increased considerably.

When you do go outside, the winter wind takes your breath away.

So, here are some tips to help you beat the winter blahs.

1.  Exercise.  I know it’s hard to get outside, but even if you can do a little bit you will feel more energized.  Go to a gym if you can.  Child care is usually included in memberships and even a 1/2 hour of biking, walking, or treadmilling will do wonders for you and honestly for your kids. Today I biked and listened to my devotions on my IPhone. If the gym isn’t an option, there are lots of workout videos online. Find one and just do it.  The kids may even find it fun to jump around with mom.

2.  Read/ Listen the Psalms. The Psalms are such a source of comfort and can help you beat the winter blahs by reminding us of God’s promises.  Download an app that will read them for you.  Plug in and listen to a few chapters.

3.  Listen to Music. Calming music has an amazing affect on the soul.  We all know what upbeat music does to our kids.  (You know what I mean – the dancing like crazy that happens in the store thanks to the “wonderful” music being piped in.) The opposite affect will occur with calming music.  Pandora is often played in our house through these months.

4.  Take a hot bath. This is my favorite winter blah breaker.  After the kids are in bed, fill up your tub with sudsy water, light the candles, and sit and soak with a hot cup of coffee.  Nothing like it.

5.  Try to have a friend over. If you have a friend with kids similar ages to yours this is a wonderful break from the winter blahs.  The kids to get to enjoy a play date and you and your friend can catch up. (Don’t worry about a messy house.  If she is a true friend she won’t even notice.)

Mom’s are naturally busy.  We often get so busy taking care of everybody else, that we forget that we need time to rejuvenate our souls and minds so that we can be the best mom’s and wives for our families.

Even Christ needed time away from His disciples.  He often went into the wilderness alone.

The wonderful thing about winter is that it soon will pass. God has given us the promise of the seasons.  Psalms 74:17 states that God made the summer and the winter.

Hang in there.  The winter blahs will soon pass too.

Until Next week,

Rebekah