This Winter May be Our Worst Yet: Here’s How to Prepare

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Summer is over, and for many, this means harder times are on the way (at least for those of us in the northern hemisphere).

With colder weather and shorter days, most of us spend more time indoors. We tend to get less sunlight, less physical activity, and have less social interactions. All these combine to take a toll on our mental and physical health.

This is why seasonal affective disorder is a thing. And those of us working the night shift have less opportunity for sunlight and social interaction as it is.

More bad news: this winter could be far worse. With the COVID-19 death toll recently surpassing one million, restrictions aren’t going away any time soon.

While that was certainly a depressing introduction to this newsletter, there is some good news. We now know – at least somewhat – what to expect. The coronavirus pandemic is already here – it can’t blindside us like it did earlier this year. This time we have the opportunity to prepare.

Although preparation will look different from person to person, here are some questions that should send you down the path towards a less dreadful winter:

What can you do in the next few weeks to make sure your physical and mental health are as good as they can possibly be?

Is there something you can do in the next couple of weeks that will solve one (1) recurring problem in your life?

Is there anything that would help you deal with cold and wet weather, practically speaking?

What can you do to ensure that you stay social?

Are there any small things that would bring you huge amounts of delight, pleasure, and/or joy on a regular basis?

To paraphrase Shakespeare, winter is neither good nor bad, but thinking makes it so.

A positive outlook can benefit us immensely – and a good plan can help with that.

If You’re Already Dreading Winter, Here Are Some Small Ways to Prepare Now | Vice

 

Vitamin (D)ouble Your Money

Night shift workers’ opportunity for sunlight exposure is often limited. As such, we are more likely to suffer from vitamin D deficiency. This is concerning considering all the attention vitamin D has received in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In fact, the evidence in favor of vitamin D is so convincing that an Israeli company has offered to bet anyone $100,000 that Vitamin D works against COVID.

Care to place a bet?

A Vitamin D Bet | Marginal Revolution

 

Aging Attitudes

Most of us are familiar with the placebo effect. Fewer are familiar with it’s close cousin, the nocebo effect. The nocebo effect occurs when people receive a worse outcome to a treatment, simply because they expect one. And it turns out, these same effects play a role in how we age.

Dr. Thomas Hess of North Carolina State University performed memory tests on people ages 60 through 82 and compared those who thought negatively about their age and memory with those who had a positive outlook. Individuals who had negative attitudes about their age scored lower.

And it’s not only our memory.

According to a report on a two-year study of 4,135 older people in Ireland, participants who had negative attitudes toward aging walked more slowly and had worse cognitive abilities than those who had a more positive outlook.

Just like it’s important to maintain a healthy diet, it’s also important to maintain a healthy attitude towards aging.

If You Think You’re Old, You’ll Get Old | Brain World

 

‘Tis the Season

…for flu shots. While COVID-19 restrictions may make getting a flu vaccine less convenient this year, it is now more important than ever.

Wondering when to get your flu shot? The best time is before influenza (flu) starts circulating widely. For most people, September or October is ideal for protection through the whole flu season, as the immune response from the vaccine wanes over time.

Make sure to get plenty of sleep in the days leading up to your appointment, as a lack of sleep can make the vaccine less effective.

Time for flu shots — getting one is more important than ever! | Harvard Health

 

Spend Your Way to Happiness

Happiness is lower, insomnia is higher and there has been an increased incidence of mental health issues during the pandemic.

Yet, despite higher rates of unemployment, our personal savings rates are also much higher. And while a higher savings rate is a commendable achievement, it begs the question: can we spend some of this excess money to improve not only the economy, but our happiness as well?

How to Be Happy During a Pandemic | Bloomberg

 

Stay healthy-

Jason Glenn

P.S. If you enjoyed this newsletter and know a fellow shift worker who would enjoy it, consider forwarding it to them.

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HealthShift is a weekly email offering the best physical, mental, and financial health resources for shift workers.

No Spam. No Fluff. No Charge. Unsubscribe anytime.