Avoiding the Winter Blues

Winter can be a depressing season, but there are ways to help the whole family keep moving and stay upbeat.

FOX’s Lisa Brady reports in this week’s ‘FOX on Family’:

It’s so tempting in the winter to just hibernate:

(Berges): “Our lighting changes, right, so it gets shorter days, we’re leaving the office or school when it’s getting dark, playtime is changed for kids.”

Licensed clinical psychologist Ashley Berges says the winter blahs can be seasonal affective disorder. Exercise is one good way to fight it, and it doesn’t have to be cost money or be outside:

(Berges): “One thing that I’ve actually helped some families with where they’re like what do I do with my kids and it’s like let’s put some music on and dance, also just a little bit of yoga in the house.”

She says parents can also take the lead in not letting screen time creep up:

(Berges): “Just focusing on spending time with your kids for a few hours where there is no technology allowed.”

The more time you spend together, the easier it might be to catch red flags, if cabin fever becomes something more serious:

(Berges): “When we’re depressed we really want to cut out the outside world.”

Self-isolation and changes in behavior that could signal depression.

With FOX on Family, I’m Lisa Brady.

Ashley Berges is a licensed clinical psychologist, author, blogger and life coach based in Texas. You can find her at AshleyBerges.com.