Depression can happen to anyone, especially parents. Seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, affects many people, and if you have it, it can be a challenge. However, there is hope. If you have seasonal depression, here’s how you can still be a great parent. Here’s some advice from FamilyHype.com.
Symptoms
Do you have SAD? While you should be diagnosed by a professional to rule anything else out, here are some symptoms to help you see if you may have it.
- You may feel fatigued.
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- You may sleep more or have insomnia.
- Needing to be alone.
- Larger or little appetite.
- Feeling worthless or upset.
- Irritability.
- Difficulty concentrating.
If you have any of these symptoms, see a doctor. If you do have it, here’s how you can improve your depression while being a good parent to your child. Sometimes you may want to spend money, as well, such as on https://www.familyhype.com/parents/products/the-best-designer-handbags-for-moms-with-kids.html and you may not have the wherewithal to do so, which isn’t healthy either.
Remind Your Kid That It Isn’t Them
If your child sees the parent depressed or uninterested, the may feel as if they’re responsible. Perhaps it’s a good time to sit your kid down and tell them about depression. Explain that some people get sad for a while, and this is okay. Your child is sure to understand.
Exercise Together
One great way to combat depression is to exercise. It releases feel-good chemicals in your brain, and it just feels good to work out. Take a walk outside with your children. Too cold? Do some activities indoors such as stretching or running in place to some good music. It’s never too early to teach your child healthy habits, and never too late for you to learn them.
Catch Up On Sleep
Depression can be a cycle. It can cause insomnia, and the lack of sleep can worsen your depression. Take some time to sleep more. Have your kid have a night with their grandparents and relax. Take some melatonin and make sure to practice good sleep hygiene. Of course, don’t focus too much on getting good sleep; this can make your insomnia worse. Instead, you should sleep when you feel truly ready.
Keep a Routine
When you’re depressed, you may fly out of your routine. The best way to treat your depression is to stick to a routine. Sometimes, it can feel challenging to stay on a routine, but it’s worth it to do so. One way you can stick to your routine is to write down a schedule and follow it strictly.
Prepare Healthy Meals
One way to combat depression is to eat healthy. Eating healthy can also encourage your children to eat healthy as well. Cook a good meal and then have your kids eat it with you. You can improve how you feel immensely if you do this.
Try a New Hobby That Your Kid Will Enjoy
One symptom of depression is that things no longer interest you. Sometimes, you may need to take on a new hobby that catches your interest. Bonus points if your kid can participate. For example, you can build a model ship and have your kid participate if they’re old enough. This can teach your child valuable life skills, and plus, it’s easy for them to bond with you that way.
Find the Cause of Your Depression
Your depression may be due to the season, or it may be because of a situation. For example, you may be stressed over your child’s well-being or because of finances. If that’s the case, why not sit down and figure out how you can fix that? One way is to realize that some things can’t be changed. However, if you’re worried about finances, taking some time to budget can help.
See a Professional
If you’re still depressed, you may want to seek the help of a professional counselor or a therapist. There may be more to it than just the winter blues or the summertime blues. What you should do is talk to a professional and they can help teach you personalized coping techniques to help you get back on your feet. In addition, they may be able to help you get access to medicine that can help with the symptoms in the meantime.
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