Best Life Therapy Blogs - Grief, Anxiety, Stress & More
- posted: Dec. 08, 2025
Blog written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect children too.
Have you been feeling exhausted lately? Are you getting upset at others for no good reason and find yourself feeling down? Sometimes these things can happen when there are no obvious triggers. Shorter days and less sunlight could be leading to irritability and tiredness. If these things are persistent, it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal changes. It can happen during the summer, but SAD is most common in the winter months. Less sun exposure can impact melatonin and serotonin levels causing increased fatigue, persistent sadness and irritability. This can impact children too. As a parent, taking proactive steps to support your child can help.
Signs to Watch For
- Irritability or mood swings - big reactions that don't match the size of the problem
- Withdrawal from friends or family - refusal to go places they would normally enjoy, not wanting to socialize at all
- Changes in sleep or appetite - napping after school, sleeping in longer than usual, increased cravings for carbs
- Trouble concentrating in school - daydreaming, trouble completing work, missing assignments
- Less interest in play or favorite activities - not wanting to go outdoors, less interested in favorite toys
Parent Tips
If you suspect your child may be dealing with winter depression, talk openly about their feelings—normalize that winter can feel harder but emphasize the fact that we can do hard things. Offer therapy or counseling if symptoms persist. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CBT, can help kids explore their beliefs about the winter months. Learning to proactively plan for winter by trying new activities can help. Schedule an appointment for your child with a therapist who specializes in CBT strategies. They can learn to reframe negative thoughts about the winter months as they learn that they can do challenging things.
Increased activity can help with depression. Plan family walks or dance parties. Help them learn a new skill, a new craft or a new sport. Doing things together as a family can help. Teach them fun activities they can do during the winter months like ice skating. Encourage creative play (art, music, building projects). Keep kids active indoors with fun movement prompts. Consider using Go Noodle! A lot of children would enjoy showing parents some of the moves they have learned in school during brain breaks. Encourage outdoor play during daylight hours. Keep sleep and meal routines consistent. Encourage activity over napping after school hours. Helping kids cope and giving them the tools they need can help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Sunshine Box Activity
Sometimes putting together items that can help us feel better can help us proactively plan for those "down days." Create a family Sunshine Box filled with mood-boosting items:
- Bright-colored items (scarf, mug, toy)
- Aromatherapy, Citrus scents, scented lotion (candles, oils)
- Playlist of upbeat songs for dance breaks
- Favorite snacks (tea, dark chocolate, dried fruit)
- Gratitude Journals, paper for drawing, coloring books
- Cute animal pictures, fun family photos
- A favorite book from their younger years
- Acupressure Massage Rings
- Affirmation cards or encouraging notes
- Activity prompts (“Take a 5-minute walk,” “Do 10 jumping jacks,” "5 senses mindfulness activity")
Building the box together can be a bonding ritual and a reminder that joy can be created even in darker seasons.
Parent Reminder
Supporting your child through the winter blues can help. Scheduling an appointment with a therapist can help people of all ages learn more about SAD and they learn how to manage the symptoms. As parents, helping your children can be extra difficult when you also struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Depression can worsen when left untreated and SAD is no exception. Support your child and yourself if you also are struggling by making an appointment with a specialist to address this. At Best Life Therapy, we have many therapists available to assist you. Visit the home page on our website to reserve your initial appointment of call us at 810-771-3457.
- posted: Dec. 08, 2025
Blog written by Vicky Alvarez, Clinical Therapist and CEO
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) can affect children too.
Have you been feeling exhausted lately? Are you getting upset at others for no good reason and find yourself feeling down? Sometimes these things can happen when there are no obvious triggers. Shorter days and less sunlight could be leading to irritability and tiredness. If these things are persistent, it could be Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression linked to seasonal changes. It can happen during the summer, but SAD is most common in the winter months. Less sun exposure can impact melatonin and serotonin levels causing increased fatigue, persistent sadness and irritability. This can impact children too. As a parent, taking proactive steps to support your child can help.
Signs to Watch For
- Irritability or mood swings - big reactions that don't match the size of the problem
- Withdrawal from friends or family - refusal to go places they would normally enjoy, not wanting to socialize at all
- Changes in sleep or appetite - napping after school, sleeping in longer than usual, increased cravings for carbs
- Trouble concentrating in school - daydreaming, trouble completing work, missing assignments
- Less interest in play or favorite activities - not wanting to go outdoors, less interested in favorite toys
Parent Tips
If you suspect your child may be dealing with winter depression, talk openly about their feelings—normalize that winter can feel harder but emphasize the fact that we can do hard things. Offer therapy or counseling if symptoms persist. Cognitive Behavior Therapy, CBT, can help kids explore their beliefs about the winter months. Learning to proactively plan for winter by trying new activities can help. Schedule an appointment for your child with a therapist who specializes in CBT strategies. They can learn to reframe negative thoughts about the winter months as they learn that they can do challenging things.
Increased activity can help with depression. Plan family walks or dance parties. Help them learn a new skill, a new craft or a new sport. Doing things together as a family can help. Teach them fun activities they can do during the winter months like ice skating. Encourage creative play (art, music, building projects). Keep kids active indoors with fun movement prompts. Consider using Go Noodle! A lot of children would enjoy showing parents some of the moves they have learned in school during brain breaks. Encourage outdoor play during daylight hours. Keep sleep and meal routines consistent. Encourage activity over napping after school hours. Helping kids cope and giving them the tools they need can help alleviate depressive symptoms.
Sunshine Box Activity
Sometimes putting together items that can help us feel better can help us proactively plan for those "down days." Create a family Sunshine Box filled with mood-boosting items:
- Bright-colored items (scarf, mug, toy)
- Aromatherapy, Citrus scents, scented lotion (candles, oils)
- Playlist of upbeat songs for dance breaks
- Favorite snacks (tea, dark chocolate, dried fruit)
- Gratitude Journals, paper for drawing, coloring books
- Cute animal pictures, fun family photos
- A favorite book from their younger years
- Acupressure Massage Rings
- Affirmation cards or encouraging notes
- Activity prompts (“Take a 5-minute walk,” “Do 10 jumping jacks,” "5 senses mindfulness activity")
Building the box together can be a bonding ritual and a reminder that joy can be created even in darker seasons.
Parent Reminder
Supporting your child through the winter blues can help. Scheduling an appointment with a therapist can help people of all ages learn more about SAD and they learn how to manage the symptoms. As parents, helping your children can be extra difficult when you also struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Depression can worsen when left untreated and SAD is no exception. Support your child and yourself if you also are struggling by making an appointment with a specialist to address this. At Best Life Therapy, we have many therapists available to assist you. Visit the home page on our website to reserve your initial appointment of call us at 810-771-3457.
We Specialize in Anxiety, Depression, Grief and Trauma
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- Photo taken at Flushing County Park, Michigan