Winter may be a season of joy and festivities but it can also be the time of the year where stress and anxiety levels soar. In addition to the freezing weather, there lies the proximity of family staying over from far away, the pressures of shopping for the perfect gifts and the paranoia of whether Santa has judged you to be good or bad. Not to mention all of your co-workers are going around spreading their germs and viruses on any surface they can get their hands on. Fortunately, there are easy ways to combat anxiety and have a healthy, productive winter break.
Get adequate sleep
The most common mistake people make when they’re stressed or overworked is that they don’t make enough time for their own bodies. Every adult may not need the standard 6-8 hours of sleep per night as out requirements decrease as we age. However, too many of us stay up past out bedtime and wake up far too early without letting our bodies recover. Lack of sleep compromises the immune system, increases catecholamines and deteriorates the bodies cortisol reserves. In essence, it creates an unhealthy inflammatory physical state. Getting naps in during the day or turning off the TV an hour early are small sacrifices that will turn out to be beneficial in the long run.
Wash your hands
Germs are everywhere at all times of the years. However, the colder months keep us in closer proximity with constant exposure to airborne viruses and bacteria. Keep note that your sneezing co-worker may have used your keyboard at work or had his hands over that $5 bill he owed you. Consciousness handwashing with warm water and soap have been proven to be superior to any topical agent. But when sinks aren’t nearby, alcohol gel is the next best thing. And if you can convince Johnson in accounting to go home early, well all the better.
Antidepressants
The best way to combat anxiety is with exercise, healthy eating and meditation. But some people despite trying every non-pharmaceutical intervention can’t get their anxiety and the stressors in their lives. Seasonal affective disorder which strikes around winter (it is thought to be a lack of homeostatis from reduced sunlight which in turn reduces Vitamin D, melatonin and other biohormonal feedback mechanisms) and a lot of people need a little extra boost to get over it. Talk to your primary care provider about a low dose antidepressant, like Prozac or Zoloft. Their effect on the body is not fully understood but they have been beneficial in those that use them. Side effect profiles are relatively benign but you would still want to follow up with your PCP a few weeks after use.
While stress plays a factor in everyone’s lives, it should not disable or limit our activities, especially during the holidays. These are just some basic tips, for more information visit your local library! Don’t forget to wash your hands afterwards, you don’t know who else has been reading those books!