Does the Cold Weather Have You Down?

Are you feeling stressed while stuck inside during this never-ending cold snap?  A recent survey suggests you are not alone! The number of people experiencing stress and anxiety is on the rise, particularly, young parents in Saskatchewan during the winter months. 

Residents of Saskatchewan were more likely to agree that their mental health is in bad shape during the 2021 winter. Younger Canadians (18-34) report being particularly affected, as are Canadians with kids at home, compared to those without. —COVID Continue to Take Heavy Toll on Canadians’ Mental Health. Ipsos

How can you tell if your stress or anxiety is on the rise?

You might notice:  

• Increased difficulty managing day-to-day problems
• Interactions with the people you care about may feel more challenging
• Changes in sleep and/or appetite
• Body aches, headaches, and tension

During times of high stress always remember you are not alone. Stress and anxiety can be “invisible” which makes it so difficult to know what is happening for others. Don’t forget to be compassionate to yourself.

A few tips for coping with stress during the winter months:

• Be kind to yourself:
  • Self-care is crucial, eat well, rest, take breaks, and do something fun or relaxing.
• Know your limits, don’t immediately rush back to work or chores when your child is:
  • safe by themselves (for example, napping)
  • being looked after by an alternate caregiver
• Take a moment to yourself and recharge. It will help you:
  • be in better shape to respond to your child’s cues
  • reduce your stress and therefore your child’s anxiety
• Connect with others:
  • Talk about your feelings and concerns with family and friends. This can help to relieve stress and respond to, process and address your emotions better.
• Recompose yourself by practicing a 1-minute mindfulness activity, notice:
  • your thoughts
  • how you feel emotionally
  • if your feelings are happy or not
  • how your body feels
  • anything that hurts or is tense
  • This will help you relax and feel grounded

Source: COVID-19 resources for parents and children – Canada.ca

Remember – you can reach out for help before things become too overwhelming. Support is a phone call or email away. Taking care of yourself is going to help you to feel more equipped and prepared to take on day to day parenting challenges. Parents and caregivers can take better care of their children with they invest time into taking care of themselves.