The March Madness

You can see it in your kid’s eyes. February vacation is over. They ask you, “How many days until April Break?” For a kid, March seems like it will NEVER end. Spring seems like a million years away.

Here are some tips to help your teen get through the late winter slog:

1. Get outside - Even if it’s cloudy, getting outside for even a few minutes every day can boost serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle. 

2. Physical mood hack - Movement is a cognitive intervention that releases endorphins, feel-good chemicals in the brain. Three squats and three leg lifts get the blood flowing and the brain thinking. 

3. Switch it up - Move your laptop or workspace to a different place or work in the library once a week to get a different perspective. Just a little change of scenery can boost creativity and give you a fresh new perspective.

4. Make a plan - Grab your calendar and plan a fun event with family or friends for next week. Anticipation can provide an increase in dopamine similar to the event itself.

5. Hydration - Drink one extra glass of water. This can help boost mood and increase cognition. 

6. Chef up - Make a special meal that your teen craves. There’s nothing like great home-cooking shared with family or friends that makes a week special.