Are you sick of all this snow? Does all this white stuff have you feeling blue? Are you green with envy that your friends are heading somewhere warm?
An area psychologist says after not one, not two, not three, but four snow storms this season, it's not surprising that people are a little edgy.
Dr. Linda Welsh of the Anxiety and Agoraphobia Treatment Center in Bala Cynwyd says many people's routines are disrupted and some people may even be feeling financial strain because of missed days at work, but, she says to remember that the snow will eventually stop and spring will come.
In the meantime, she does have some suggestion on what we can do to cope with the winter blues.
Dr. Welsh says if you are snowed in try to relax and enjoy the day instead of running around, treat it like a vacation day. Take a bubble bath, read a book you've been wanting to get to or watch an old movie.
She also suggests using the time to get things accomplished. We always seem to be complaining that there’s never enough time to get things done. A snow day is the perfect time to clean out your closet, organize your photos or bake a batch of cookies.
Dr. Welsh feels that happiness is a state of mind and it's all in how we look at the situation. Focusing on the positive will help us weather the storm of anxiety that sometimes comes with too many snowstorms in one season.
As for all the moms out there who might be going crazy because of yet another snow day, Dr. Welsh says try to prepare in advance -- if you can -- and have projects ready to pull out that the kids can do while they are home. She suggests everything from arts and crafts, to helping around the house, to cleaning out the kids' closets and donating unwanted toys and clothes to charity.
Good luck and remember spring is only 23 days away!
