6 Ways to Fight Winter Anxiety
Whether you’re due any day, new to parenthood, or a veteran to the world of kids, the winter is looking a little bleak right now. The sun is setting before 5:00 p.m. and despite skipping the morning commute to work, that “extra hour” of sleep everyone else got last weekend is probably a running joke at your house.
We hear you, and we’re here to help. Read on for our list of the best ways to stay positive and keep focused through this (dare we say it) unprecedented winter.
1. Reframe Your Expectations
We don’t want you to lower your expectations, but we do want you to reframe them. Despite what social media scrolling may have you believe, you do not need to cut out carbs, botox smile lines, start a side hustle, Montessori your toy room, bake cookies, drink all the water, get all the sleep, work 60 hours a week, and make crafts with your kid. The world has dramatically shifted and yet many of us still find ourselves expecting to accomplish the things we did in our pre-covid lives, with even fewer resources. Somehow the math there just doesn’t add up. Continuing to set new goals is important, but it’s the adjustment of our expectations that will allow us to release the pressure of perfection and keep moving forward.
2. Create a Routine
We know you’ve been hearing it since last March, but creating and sticking to a routine while working from home will help you normalize these not-so-normal times. Despite the dangerous thrill we all feel while hitting the “still watching” button at 11:00 p.m., our bodies crave routine, and more importantly, so do our kids. Setting a time, or even a block of time for when we get up, shower, eat, get dressed, and carry out the big tasks in our days, has been proven to help reduce insomnia, anxiety, and stress. So, while routine may feel like the last thing you want right now, it may be just what you need.
3. Exercise and Mindful Meditation
Speaking of routines, incorporating regular exercise and meditation into your week has been proven to boost happiness, increase focus, and improve sleep, while simultaneously reducing stress, anxiety, and fatigue. We know that finding the time can be hard…like, really hard, but apps like Obè Fitness and Headspace have made it easier than ever to access on-demand workouts and mindful meditations from your own home and on your own time.
4. Switch Up Your Space
As we spend more time than ever in our homes, why not invest a little more in our space? We’re not suggesting you spend a small fortune remodeling, but instead, consider minor changes that can make a significant impact! What we hear, like relaxing music or calming ocean sounds, can have a big effect on how we feel. The Google Home Mini is our go-to device for switching from day-to-night and work-to-fun at home. Similarly, the lighting and smells in our home should not be underestimated. The combination of a warm glow and a great scent will make any space feel even more inviting. We’re obsessed with using Scentsy’s wax warmers and diffusers to achieve this effect, and with holiday scents like ‘Almond Croissant,’ ‘Salted Caramel Toffee, and ‘Pretty in Plaid’ you really can’t go wrong. Ultimately, we are all creatures of comfort, so if splurging on an espresso machine does it for you, we support that too!
5. Engage with an Online Community
As the weather changes, meeting with friends and outside playdates will inevitably become harder to plan, not to mention withstand, depending on where you live! But don’t worry – we’ve got you covered! With groups ranging from ‘Instagram Moms’ to ‘DIY @ Home Learning Activities,’ Working Momkind’s online community is as versatile as it is welcoming.
6. Embrace The Feels
Some days will feel easy, and others, not so much. We’re all human. And that’s OK. Embracing a range of feelings is not only normal, but beneficial to our well-being and the people around us. While we love the idea of living in a happy bubble, finding healthy ways to express sadness, frustration, and other feelings that we often try to hide teaches those around us that it’s OK for them to have those feelings too. More importantly, that we still support and love them. So, if you’re having an incredibly hard day – cry it out, scream into a pillow, and then take a deep breath and try to reset.
If All Else Fails, Indulge a Little
Watch a holiday movie, read a book you love, light a favorite candle while eating a tube of cookie dough – whatever feels right, go for it. Just cut yourself some slack!
