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Overcoming Winter Blues

This post is by regular contributor Catherine Oehlman aka Squigglemum.

Winter has arrived with a vengeance this year, and the weather is getting me down.  Nothing serious, just a case of the blues.  It’s possible I’m prone to SAD, although it could also be PMS or just a BHD.  Everyone gets down sometimes!  As parents it’s important we take care of ourselves and our health, so that we can take good care of our kids. The question is, what is ‘normal’ and when do the winter blues become something more serious?

MDD – Major Depressive Disorder
“Depression is a mental state of altered mood characterised by feelings of sadness, despair, and discouragement.  Clinical depression (Major Depressive Disorder) is characterized by the occurrence of one or more major depressive episodes.” Depression is complex, wide spread and still largely misunderstood.  Depression can range from mild to severe, and affects both men and women.  Help is readily available, your GP can recommend a psychologist in your area.

SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder
Although the term is widely overused, many people really do suffer with winter blues!  “Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is depression with fatigue, lethargy, oversleeping, overeating, and carbohydrate craving recurring cyclically during specific seasons, most commonly the winter months.” Treatment is usually a combination of medication and light therapy. See your doctor if you are concerned about SAD.

PND – Post Natal Depression
Adjusting to life with a newborn is always tricky, but for some women there is no light at the end of the tunnel.  “Post natal depression (also called postpartum depression or PPD) is a form of clinical depression which can affect women, and less frequently men, after childbirth.” It is serious, and requires medical attention.  PND is not the same as the “Baby Blues” which often occur a few days after giving birth, but which passes quickly.

PMS – Pre Menstrual Syndrome
Few women escape the effects of monthly hormones, except during pregnancy (which has its own share of hormonal hassles!)  “Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) refers to symptoms that occur between ovulation and the onset of menstruation. The symptoms include both physical symptoms, such as breast tenderness, back pain, abdominal cramps, headache, and changes in appetite, as well as psychological symptoms of anxiety, depression, and unrest.” Your GP may prescribe medication or recommend natural remedies to help ease symptoms.

BHD – Bad Hair Day
Nobody is exempt from bad days! The odd down-day here and there is perfectly normal, and not necessarily anything to worry about.  Recommended remedies include chocolate, deep breaths, and phoning a friend 😉

Of course, there are many other causes for “the blues” and this list is only a starting point.  Anyone can be affected, at any time.

Helpful Strategies for Parents

  • Don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor!  When you’re concerned about your child’s health, you book an appointment without a second thought. Take care of yourself too.
  • Be honest with your partner, and keep the lines of communication open.
  • Resource yourself. Information is readily available online. Beyond Blue is an excellent place to start.
  • Talk to your kids about it in age appropriate ways. For example, “Daddy feels sad today. Everyone feels sad sometimes.” Or “Mum needs to see the doctor to help her be healthy after having the baby.”
  • Get some exercise to release endorphins. Try a spontaneous walk around the block with the pram, or a trip to the park with the kids.  A regular mums’n’bubs work out class, zumba or dance lessons, or team sport can help too.
  • Try a change of scenery. Sometimes getting out of the house works wonders.
  • Phone a friend. Don’t go it alone!  Make sure you have at least three people you can call on a bad day. Talking to another adult often makes you feel less isolated and gives renewed perspective.

Dealing with even a mild case of the blues is a challenge when you have a baby waking through the night, toddlers under your feet, or kids to taxi around.  If you are struggling, don’t pretend everything is ok.  Prioritise your own health, and seek help when you need it – for your children’s sake, and for your own.

How do you cope with the Winter blues?

Medical definitions (in italics) sourced from http://medical-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com

{Image source}

Catherine Oehlman (aka SquiggleMum) is a mother, teacher, writer, picture book lover, outdoor play advocate, coffee drinker and self confessed bird-nerd.  She still climbs trees and eats fairy bread – with or without her two young kids!  You can find Cath squiggling about topics close to her heart online and in print, or catch her weekly on Brisbane radio.

Filed Under: Family Health, Parenthood Tagged With: parenting

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Read the comments or scroll down to add your own:

  1. Mandy says

    June 29, 2011 at 6:52 AM

    Can I just say I think I suffer from BHD more days than I don't. Great post.
    • SquiggleMum says

      June 29, 2011 at 7:00 PM

      LOL Mandy... you and me both ;-)
  2. Georgina says

    June 29, 2011 at 8:49 AM

    I recently went through a 'bad time' due to nothing in particular, I was just down about, myself, my husband, my kids, my house. I was getting angry about the stupidest things, no one was going to 'save me' but me, everyone was keeping clear. On a clear thinking day I decided to put what I wanted first above all else (of course without sacrificing the safety and well being of the kids). The best thing I did was join the gym, dragged myself out of bed at 6am and rode my bike the 10 mins to the gym spend an hour there doing my program and riding home (when the weather was warmer). I lost the momentum a little while ago because of the cold, a holiday, sickness etc but have now started pilates and am heading back to the gym again. Exercise is an amazing medicine to depression (the BHD/SAD kind - Im not sure about the rest). I started feeling better about myself, the house was mostly tidy and the kids started behaving better. Sometimes I think that a Mum sacrifices so much me time thinking that the kids, house, husband are better off but with just a little bit of me time sprinkled in the mix everyone does so much better. Well thats my experience and completely non-expert opinion anyway. Thanks for all the great posts, love reading them.
    • SquiggleMum says

      June 29, 2011 at 7:02 PM

      Hi Georgina. It's so hard to prioritise ourselves as mums, isn't it? Thanks for sharing your experience and what works for you. Much appreciated!
  3. Shae says

    June 29, 2011 at 9:55 AM

    I suffer with SAD and find mid winter very difficult. When PMS is added in there are a few days each moth where I can feel quite overwhelmed. Sometimes I get anxiety as well. I remind myself that skipping the kids ballet class or cancelling a playdate is OK to do if I'm feeling overwhelmed. Missing a few activities here and there is OK and sometimes necessary for my emotional health-which means I can be a better Mum. I try to get outside every day. Even if it's to the park for half an hour. And I've found some natural remedies can be helpful as well as speaking to my GP.
    • SquiggleMum says

      June 29, 2011 at 7:03 PM

      Hey Shae. Sounds like you have some good strategies in place to help you deal with SAD. I hope this winter is kind to you, and sunshine breaks through. xx
  4. Bronnie says

    June 29, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    I've had a MDD and still battle anxiety and depression, though it's pretty much managed now with counselling and medication. Every now and then it gets on top of me, but I find reaching out to a friend and/or seeing my shrink or psychologist helps; also some kind of exercise always cheers me up; spending time with my kids and/or pets; doing something nice for someone else; living Mindfully; if I can afford it a massage or something nice for myself; if no $ a hot bath or good book is lovely. xo
    • SquiggleMum says

      June 29, 2011 at 7:07 PM

      Some great tips and advice Bronnie. Thanks so much for sharing your story.
  5. Deb Wild Hope says

    June 29, 2011 at 10:49 AM

    I think I'm suffering from 4 out of 5 on your list. I've sought help but the answers the medical professionals give haven't been helpful. What would really help is if someone minds my kids while I go for a walk to release those endorphins. It's sad that it's that simple yet so hard to achieve.
    • SquiggleMum says

      June 29, 2011 at 7:14 PM

      I hear you Deb. I have so few babysitters, and try to only lean on them when I need to for an appointment, or the odd date night with my hubby! I hope you can find a way to fit a walk into your day.
  6. frog goose & bear (emma) says

    June 29, 2011 at 12:25 PM

    Thank goodness for some sunshine here in Melbourne today so we can all get outside and release some of those endorphins! Great post - motherhood can be really really tough sometimes and it is so important to be strong enough to ask for help. I find developing a strong support system around me can make the world of difference.
  7. A Farmer's Wife says

    June 29, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I honestly think it is braver to face what is going on than to continue to "tough it out". There is so much help out there but it is not going to find you - you have to find it. Although I think we are all stuck with bad hair days - some days the hair gods just aren't on my side!
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