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“НАШЕ ЖИТТЯ”, БЕРЕЗЕНЬ 2011 33 WEATHERING Stress by Ihor Magun, MD, FACP For most of us, i t was not been a good winter. Record snow falls, wind chills — the list goes on and on. The s hort days , days too cold to venture out especially when blizzard conditions prevail , all contribute to cabin fever , stress , and anxiety. By some accounts, this weather pattern is likely to last through March, which is enough to make some of us want to hibernate for the duration. If you feel you are the only person suffering from these symptoms, you are most certainly not . Everyday in the office , I see patients who arrive with issues and problems that are exacerbated by the weather conditions and the stress of having to deal with those conditions . Many request some form of antidepressant medication or something to help control anxiety. And this comes as no surprise, because t here is a strong link between ongoing stress and clinical depression . While wintertime stress seems to be a common and const ant com pa - nion, other seasons bring their own woes. Here are a few suggestions that might help you deal with them. Try to get as much exposure to sunlight as possible even if it means getting up earlier to draw the shades open. The power of light and brig htness as mood elevators h as been documented. Enjoy this natural high and look at snow as a beauty of nature, not a burden. If possible, even in the city, stop to really look at snow - covered evergreens and other trees. Savor the beauty . Focus on the sparkl e of the snow and icicles instead of the hassles. If you have more of a “ beach outlook ” on life , look through photos of sunny beaches or try to recall a place you found to be particularly soothing. Try to recapture the feelings associated with th ose image and you might b e pleasantly surprised. Vivid recollections of pleasant memories and sights can transform thoughts in a positive way. Distinguish between what you feel and what is real. Most of the time things are not as bad as they seem. It’s the little t hings that add up and make the week stressful — a pattern that creeps up on you. The best antidote is to f ocus on the positive , not on the negative. You may thing this is easier said than done, but it’s mostly a matter of looking at things a different way. If you have failed at something , for example, don’t dwell on the failure. Remember that the most successful people are usually the people who have failed the most. Failure can be the fastest way to succeed — provided you learned the lessons that failure teac hes . Make an effort to laugh. Watch a comedy or call a friend who knows how to make you laugh. Listen to music that makes you want to dance . You might even get the urge to dance. And if no one else is around, dance by yourself o r even with the closet broo m! When you are able to venture out, take a brisk walk or just go outside to breath e. Some form of exercise is always helpful. Bring spring indoors. Purchase growing, flowering plants and savor the daily growth. Get a pet. Research shows that a loving pet sooth es the nerves. Too busy to take care of a four - legged creature? Even a small aquarium with a fish or two is soothing and does not require extensive care. Limit excessive caffeine because caffeine may make you more irritable. Choose from the many ava ilable herbal teas that remind you of summer — rasp berry, blueberry , or whatever flavor you enjoy. Hot chocolate with whipped cream is always good and is easy to prepare. If you think you are having cabin fever, check on some elderly shut - ins who are always indoors. Or invite them to your home and make some hot chocolate for both of you — you’d be surprised how quickly and nicely this will “ break the fever .” Learn to medi t ate. This can have a profound effect on your mood and can be done anywhere and anytime . Most of all remember that the power to modify your own thoughts and moods lie s within you. Apply these suggestions and you too can easily beat the winter stress. Post Script . If March is kinder and gentler this year, you can save these tips for next year or pull them out to cope with any dismal day in any season.
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