Hello, hello! With winter here, I wanted to talk about different ways to beat the winter blues with your family and let you know my family’s favorite games and why I believe your family will love them too.
Winter blues
According to mayo clinic, the medical term for what is commonly referred to as the ‘winter blues’ is seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and is a type of depression that’s related to changes in seasons.
Common symptoms of SAD include:
- Feeling listless, sad or down most of the day, nearly every day.
- Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed.
- Having low energy and feeling sluggish.
- Having problems with sleeping too much.
- Experiencing carbohydrate cravings, overeating and weight gain.
- Having difficulty concentrating.
Make sure you talk to your doctor if you need medical help to cope with this. For this post, I just wanted to talk about fun things that you can do to have fun during the harsh winter months.
Winter Story
Last winter was a very tough one for me. To keep the long story sort, we’ll say that the winter blues beat me pretty hard. When summer was coming to an end, I began to feel scared of how this winter would be. But instead of thinking about the negatives, I decided to be proactive and come up with ideas to prevent the same things from happening again.
Family Time
Before we get into the main subject of this post, I would like to remind you of the importance of taking some time to be with family. A study by the Pew Research Center shows that About three-quarters of U.S. adults (73%) rate spending time with family as one of the most important things to them personally, regardless of how much time they actually devote to it.
In the fast-paced world we navigate, where time is a coveted commodity, the significance of family time often takes a backseat. Amidst busy schedules, deadlines, and the constant hum of technology, carving out moments to spend with our loved ones has never been more crucial.
Benefits of Family Time
Building Stronger Bonds:
Family time provides the opportunity to strengthen the emotional bonds that form the foundation of a happy and supportive home. Whether through shared meals, game nights, or heartfelt conversations, these moments contribute to a sense of unity and belonging.
Creating Lasting Memories:
Life is a collection of memories, and the ones created with family hold a unique place in our hearts. From holidays and celebrations to everyday moments, these memories become the threads that weave the fabric of our lives.
Promoting Communication:
In a world where digital communication often replaces face-to-face interaction, family time offers a chance for open and meaningful conversations. It fosters an environment where everyone feels heard, understood, and valued.
Nurturing Emotional Well-being:
Spending time with family provides a refuge from the stresses of daily life. It’s a sanctuary where individuals can find comfort, share their joys and challenges, and receive the emotional support that is vital for overall well-being.
Instilling Values and Traditions:
Family time is an opportunity to pass down cherished values and traditions from one generation to the next. It creates a sense of continuity, connecting the past with the present and laying the groundwork for the future.
Balancing Priorities:
Amid career demands and personal pursuits, family time acts as a counterbalance, reminding us of the importance of relationships beyond professional and individual achievements. It encourages a holistic approach to life.
Encouraging Teamwork and Cooperation:
Family activities often involve collaboration, teaching essential life skills such as teamwork, cooperation, and compromise. These skills extend beyond the family unit, influencing success in various aspects of life.
Fostering a Supportive Environment:
A family that spends quality time together creates a support system that extends far beyond the immediate household. Knowing there is a network of love and encouragement contributes to individual confidence and resilience.
Enhancing Mental Health:
Numerous studies emphasize the positive impact of family time on mental health. The emotional connections formed during these moments act as a buffer against stress, anxiety, and depression.
It is important to highlight that people know that family is important, yet they don’t actually devote time to it. I invite you to take time, whether it is an hour a week, or more, but set some time to enjoy your family.
People are happier when they have a healthy, loving family to spend time with.
Ideas for Family Activities
Family Activities
Some activities you can do with your family are nature walks, sport events, cooking together, helping a neighbor in need, etc.
Be creative and find fun activities that your family will enjoy.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s get to it. Below you will find a list of the board games we will be enjoying all winter long and I hope your family will enjoy them too.
Favorite Family Game Night Games
Guesstures
A few words that describe this game are: funny, acting, teams, creative. Each team will get a chance to earn points depending on the success of the actor who chooses the cards they want to act out and the quick guess of the rest of the team.
Scategories
This game is for everyone who can read and write. Each card has a list of 12 things that the player needs to write an answer to with the letter that was rolled in the letter die.
Operation
This old classic game still brings fun to a family night. Steady, steady, BUZZ! It is pretty much self-explanatory.
Matching
We have an old matching game that I don’t remember where we got it from, yet it seems to always make the cut when it comes to my kids choosing a game. This is fun but also helps improve memory skills.
Spot it
You can get the Jr. version or the original. They’re both fun and help with quick recognition skills. There are multiple games that can be played with this set of cards.
Guess who?
Another classic game with different variations that have made their way into our tables. We like to play it in teams to give a chance to play to our little one who does not read yet.
Dominoes
With a Puerto Rican and Dominican background, this game is a must in our household. There are kids versions that are full of color and different characters. The idea remains the same; who can get rid of their dominoes the fastest?
Don’t have a dominoes set? You can find free printable online and start playing right away. If you want your own set, you can purchase a set like this one .
Twister
The game that ties you up in knots! Take turns playing and spinning. Both are fun.
Bonus activities
Wooden Russian block puzzle
I used to play TETRIS when I was younger, and I wanted to get a similar game for my kids to play. I found this wooden block puzzle that is very fun to play. There are different ways to play: you can make some of the shapes from the shape guide that comes with the puzzle, you can free play, or you can use it the traditional way and fill the board using all the blocks.
Magnet doodle board
I enjoy playing this one with my son. It is specifically targeted to the younger ones of your family. Place a shape card in it and then drag the matching color dot with the magnet tool to the corresponding place.
Jenga
Build the tower and carefully remove one block at a time until someone pulls the block that knocks the tower down. Another classic, fun family game night must!
Burger stacking
I got this one for my son this year, but it became a family game that we all enjoy. Grab an order and make the burger in the card. To make it challenging, you can time each other to see who can complete it faster.
There you have it. I hope you enjoyed this post. Let me know which is your favorite family game as well as your favorite way to beat the winter blues with your family.
I will see you in the next post. Happy Holidays!
Sincerely,
Diana
