10 Ideas to Cure Cabin Fever (with or without kids)

So - I won't tell you to go out and ski or snowshoe, although those are likely very gratifying for those who have winter adventure in their soul. I'm just of a smaller build and I get too cold! But a nice sunny day with some snow and I'll join anyone in a snowball match (not in the face, please). Or I can help you build a snow kangaroo...

My perspective is one of a mother who's been home with her children for the past 8 years, but you know what? We all have a kid inside of us, so don't let that scare you! When you're feeling fed up with winter, give one or more of these a try to see if you feel any different.

1. Turn on the music! Yes, let all of that mundane stuff like house work or bills sit for a bit and dance that fever away... Get silly, no one's watching, and if they are it's likely they'll get silly with you - you've been inside for a long time!
2. Create some salt dough and make some snow people INSIDE - okay, this may seem a little crazy because we're breaking up the fever, but it's a diversion and when it's cold outside, you must focus on what is inside at times. Easy Salt Dough Recipe: 2 cups flour, 1 cup salt, 1 cup water, 1 Tablespoon oil - mix to soft dough, play, sculpt, and let harden.
3. Eat a meal under the table. Spread out a picnic blanket and change it up. The kids or your spouse/roommate might think you're nuts, but it's okay. Have fun!
4. Visit the museum. No museum? Find a nature center that has stuff to do indoors. Nothing like this going on? Take an adventure in your own quarters and see what items you have that you might find in a museum or nature center!
5. Have a treasure hunt. List some items you would enjoy finding. Maybe it will be items the kids will find easily, or things you've been looking for... either way, take some time out to hunt for fun :o)
6. Call a friend or make a date with the web cam. You know that loved one you don't see because they live way far away. Make contact, see how they're doing and see them, too, if you can. No phone or computer? Well, we can pretend with this one, too...
7. Get out the puppets and play. I'm sure you can create an interesting story line about the family trapped in the house with inches upon inches of snow or below zero weather! What do they do?
8. Let the kids make a mess! Bring out the blankets, chairs, folding tables, stools, sheets, and make a fort. Talk about who's living there, what they're doing, and how they make their home. How do they get their food? Any flash lights - this would be fun at dusk or dark. (You can do this without kids, too).
9. Tell a story. You're not a story teller? Just start talking, let the next person add on. Even little ones can add a lot to this. Have fun with it and you'll probably all be immersed in laughter or something of the wow nature, in no time!
10. By yourself? Write a story... or start a hub.

1. Cards are fun! I remember many a rainy, snowy, blustery day our family stayed in with cards and hot cocoa. Anyone up for a game of war?
2. Bring out the crafts. Yes, another mess. What else do you really have to do? Look out the window and wish for spring? This is worth your time, but break it up with some paint, dough, clay, markers, paper, whatever you have on hand. Scissors and scraps, needles, yarn, whatever! Set a timer if you must and just let your creative juices flow for a while :o)
3. Stack some blocks and make a city, or whatever comes to your imagination. No blocks? I bet you can make an interesting creation out of recycables, stackable cans, or anything else that put together takes your mind off the fact that you're still stuck inside.
4. You can always clean the house. I'm sure that is why it's called spring cleaning. It just gets you in the mood for what is to come. And it will come. The birds told me just the other day - they sang, "A Promise of Spring," and let me tell you, it was beautiful!
5. Get outside! Just do it. Bundle up in as many layers as you have to and jump out there. Walk for as long as you can or stomp in the snow, preferrably on a sunny day so you can get your vitamin D, too. Sometimes it takes 45 minutes to get ready for a 15 minute excursion, but the fresh air gives the body, mind, and spirit a much needed new perspective.
6. Okay, last one - quiet the mind. What? With kids, and/or so much to do? Quiet the mind? Why? Try it. Some call it meditation. You can call it what you want, but let your thoughts and mind rest for a bit. Just breathe. And ask for a new perspective, "I would like a fresh perspective, please," and then let it in.

Peace 4 Parents

Amy Phoenix (aka Rainbow Recognizer) is a gentle, yet direct parenting guide and healing facilitator dedicated to sharing insights and practices to transform frustration and anger, heal the past, nurture conscious relationships, and experience the peace of the present. Visit her at www.Peace4Parents.com.