CLEVELAND — Most of us, even kids, experience the "winter blues" this time of year. Lack of motivation, activity and just feeling down is totally normal. That's because, as Dr. Patrick Runnels with University Hospitals explains, these cloudy and darker days causes a chemical reaction in your brain.
In today's Mom Squad, he talks with 3News' Maureen Kyle about how to get over it.
“Finding ways about being intentional with social connections. One of the tricky things about Cleveland is when it gets cloudy and cold and snowy, is that people start to isolate from their loved ones, from their friends, from their social connections and the things that bring us joy,” Runnels says. “So, finding ways to be more deliberate in those events, ensuring that you have those things in your schedule, maybe in a way that are more spontaneous in the summer, can keep those connections going to help you feel out in the world and connected and having that support network.”
Dr. Runnels admits that it was hard during the omicron variant outbreak at the holidays, so people started 2022 maybe a little more depressed.
He also stressed the importance of getting regular physical activity and getting outside in nature. If reading a book is more your thing, does that help? He says anything that brings you happiness is always a good option.
Listen to the entire conversation wherever you download your podcasts. Just search for Mom Squad Pod.
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