Beating the Winter Blues: Tips for Staying Positive During the Holidays

Understanding the Winter Blues

• ❄️ The holiday season, while joyful for many, can also trigger feelings of the winter blues or seasonal depression.
• 💡 The shift in daylight, with darkness arriving as early as 5:00 PM after daylight savings, can be disorienting and contribute to low moods.

Strategies for Youth and Adults

• ☀️ A sunshine corner with warm light can help lift moods, especially on cloudy days, and is beneficial for both children and adults.
• 🧠 For teenagers, the 555 reset technique involves taking five deep breaths, five deep stretches, and five minutes of changing scenery to shift brain chemistry and boost mood.
• 📱 Parents are encouraged to lean into technology rather than restrict it, using devices for quick video check-ins, shared playlists, or collaborative games to connect with their youth.

Communities in Schools' Mission

• 🏫 Communities in Schools is a local nonprofit founded in 1985, dedicated to supporting K-12 campuses for 40 years.
• 🎯 They provide programs on campuses with trained individuals to assist students with the highest needs in academics, behavior, attendance, and basic needs, aiming to keep kids in school.

Holiday Drive for Student Support

• 🎁 The organization runs an annual winter drive to ensure students have necessary items for the season, enabling them to learn and show up as their best selves.
• 🧥 Donations collected help purchase essential items like coats, scarves, hats, socks, and hygiene kits, which are crucial for student success throughout the year.
• 💻 Viewers can support the winter drive by donating through the CISVAL.org website.