5 Tips for Winter Wellness
1. Turn your living room into a gym.
Too cold to brave the outdoors? Maintain your weekly exercise regimen without ever leaving your living room! Clear a space for moves like jumping jacks and jogging in place and let your furniture double as fitness equipment: The couch is perfect for crunches, triceps dips, and side planks.
2. Rock the garlic breath.
Said to fight colds and the flu, garlic contains allicin, a compound that boosts the immune system. Consuming raw garlic has the most benefits, so try mincing a few cloves into your favorite dips or dressings.
3. Host a game night.
Beat the winter blues by spending time with family and friends. Staying connected, especially after the New Year, can combat feelings of loneliness and gloom.
4. Change your toothbrush.
While you should be replacing your toothbrush every three months anyway, it’s smart to have some extras tucked away for the winter. Use a new toothbrush after every cold, flu, or sore throat – otherwise, your germy brush could lead to reinfection.
5. Give back.
Whether packing boxes at a food bank or assisting your local animal shelter, volunteering your time to help those in need can positively impact your own mental health. Get the kids involved to encourage altruism and further spread holiday cheer!
Signs You’re Having a Panic Attack
Chances are, you’re not having a heart attack – but it sure feels like it. The pain comes on suddenly, out of nowhere, for no obvious reason. You’re disoriented; your heart races. It’s scary and unpredictable. It’s a panic attack.
And those are just the physical symptoms – they’re often accompanied by intense fear or feeling like you’re dying or losing your mind. Panic attacks typically last anywhere from five to 10 minutes, and they can be triggered by a number of things: chemical imbalances, lack of sleep, caffeine or drugs, and – very often – stress.
Recommended methods of handling a panic attack range from deep breathing and meditation to distraction and exercise. However, if you’re experiencing recurring attacks, professional help may be the answer. Cognitive behavior therapy is a treatment that can help you face your feelings and fears, ultimately breaking the cycle of panic.
Common signs of a panic (or anxiety) attack include:
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Trembling
- Heart palpitations