News outlets have seen a surge in viewership thanks to the coronavirus pandemic; mostly thanks to stories that play on people’s fears. It’s understandably easy to look at the situation and see only the negative impact – it’s substantial.
But there are silver linings to be found as well.
Sometimes you have to get creative with your thinking to find the beneficial aspects, but they’re there.
“Crises produce opportunities, innovation, and long-overdue reforms.”
A great deal of the benefits are related to the environment, government and policy change. But I’d like to focus on the individual.
Probably the biggest benefit of the pandemic is that it serves as a wake-up call, underscoring the importance of things we often neglect. Things like disaster preparedness, savings, insurance, physical health (highlighted by increased coronavirus mortality) and mental health (highlighted by lockdowns and anxiety about health and jobs).
Many benefits stem from the move to remote work. Removing commute times leaves more time for other activities. Whether it’s used for sleep, leisure, quality time with family, or productive work, more time is always a good thing.
Of course this benefit doesn’t apply to everyone. As I mentioned previously, most shift work is location dependent and prevents working from home. Still, you may see improved relationships due to other family members sheltering in place.
Work from home has also led to the rise of telehealth. Engagements that are especially disruptive for shift workers could become more convenient. E.g. consultations with physicians or therapy sessions.
And then there’s the work-related benefits. This pandemic may increase appreciation for essential services and other key workers; possibly leading to increased pay and sick leave terms. We’re also likely to see less people coming to work while sick.
Lastly, we can view this as an opportunity for positive change. If this pandemic prompts a re-evaluation of priorities, you may find yourself coming out the other side better than ever.
162 benefits of coronavirus | lesswrong
Using melatonin to help with shift work? You’re probably taking too much
“Melatonin supplements are useful when you have a circadian rhythm disorder such as jet lag or sleep pattern disruptions resulting from shift work. When used to treat these conditions, melatonin supplements signal to the brain that it is nighttime and the body should start winding down.”
“In these instances, said Dr. Bhanu Kolla, an associate professor in psychiatry and psychology and a consultant in sleep medicine at the Center for Sleep Medicine at the Mayo Clinic, it is best to use low doses”
“Low doses”. Experts suggest starting with 0.5 milligrams. What dosages are commonly found on supermarket/pharmacy shelves? Three, five, even ten milligrams!
If you can’t find 0.5 mg, buy the lowest dose you can find and look for “scored” tablets that can easily be split.
Considering Melatonin for Sleep? Here’s a Guide to Help | New York Times
Which diet is best for weight loss? (Hint: There isn’t one)
We humans are a diverse bunch. What works for one person isn’t going to work for everyone.
Animal based vs. plant based. Low-carb vs. low-fat. Keto, paleo, meditteranean, etc. All these diets have advantages, and they can all help with weight loss. Proponents of each diet will argue at length over which is best. But that’s the wrong question.
The real question is: Which diet will work best for you?
“What matters most for fat loss – and any other health pursuit – is finding an eating pattern that feels reasonable, sustainable, and yes, enjoyable.”
It turns out there is quite a bit of overlap among popular diets. Maybe we should concentrate more on the commonalities than the differences. And if any single approach is too strict, make up your own using the nutrition fundamentals common to all effective diets.
Nutrition Fundamentals:
- Emphasize whole foods
- Minimize processed foods
- Get enough quality protein
- Incorporate lots of vegetables
- Prioritize high nutrient density
- Eat slowly until satisfied
Other key elements to a successful weight-loss plan:
- Getting adequate sleep
- Managing stress
- Moving regularly
- Reducing excessive smoking/alcohol consumption
If your progress has stalled, be open to the idea that another approach may get you better results.
Carbs, insulin, and weight loss: What REALLY matters for getting the results you want | Precision Nutrition
Add some color to your sleep environment
Like white noise with more bass, pink noise can help you sleep by masking sounds that might otherwise disrupt sleep. Some experts think it might be even better than white noise. Although the two haven’t been compared head-to-head, studies have shown pink noise to improve deep sleep and memory recall compared to sleeping in a quiet room.
Pink Noise Is the New White – Here’s Why It’s All the Rage for Sleep | Greatist
The Rise of Shift Work?
Things won’t be going back to normal as quickly as most would hope. Reopening under social distancing guidelines will require many companies to change the way they do business.
“For most small businesses, going to half-capacity will mean going out of business. The only way to generate sufficient revenue may be to spread employees across two or even three shifts and to see weekends as normal workdays.”
Shift Work and Weekends May Be the Only Way to Profitably Reopen | Inc.
Stay healthy-
Jason Glenn