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During the winter months, little feels worse than having to go out into the elements — even if it’s only the trip from the door to your car. Along with this, the lack of daylight hours compared to summer can have a major impact on our mood. As a nurse, your position likely amplifies these issues plus more. From working in an already-cold environment to potentially working rotating or strictly night shifts, winter can become far worse.
Being comfortable at work is essential as a nurse, in your skin and in your mind. Luckily, it comes down to the little things to make all the difference when it comes to your comfort at work and in the winter. Something as small as having warm scrubs that can handle wear like Jockey® scrubs, as simple as it may seem, can help get you through the winter comfortably as a nurse.
Shed Some Light on the Dark Season
There is a recognized link between light and seasonal depression, which is why solutions such as light therapy exist. Light therapy acts as a replacement for your missing daylight during the winter through the use of an artificial substitute. And while you may not be able to (or need to) undergo light therapy, simple solutions to your missed daylight hours are encouraged and could include incorporating brighter lights in the areas you spend a lot of time in and soaking up the natural light whenever you can — whether that be by opening up the drapes or going directly outside.
Celebrate Even If You’re Stuck at Work
As a nurse, you likely haven’t found yourself with the same amount of holiday time off as your friends and family who are not employed in this landscape. Finding ways to initiate intentional acts of kindness actively throughout your shift, though, will have you feeling the season a little more. Anything you can say or do in accordance with the season or holidays will help. Whether it be a “Happy New Year” or sharing the beauty of the sparkly snowfall with a patient or colleague, anything will help to remind you that these aren’t normal work days. This is a special time of the year full of special times no matter where you currently are! And on that note.
Let the Season Shine
As seen above, the winter season is often overshone by its associated holidays. Once this train of special events and occasions comes to an end, though, we’re left with winter for potentially another couple of months, depending on where you’re located. By embracing the season and letting it shine through your clothing, accessories, conversation, tools and stationery, you will also be forced to look at and embrace all of its many aspects in a new light.
Snowflakes that were once bitterly looked at will be intricately appreciated, pine and peppermint scents will be adored, treats will be awed at, antlers will be added to your ensemble and confetti won’t be cleaned up right away. To get into the mindset, consider embracing the two tips listed below.
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Decorate Your Domain
Decorating your domain is not only a great way to let the holidays or season shine and embrace them fully, but it is also a great way to excite the senses and spread the spirit to those around you! Along with this, seasonal decorations are one of the best ways to make any space feel more like home if it’s not (aka if you are stuck working!), so consider adding some snowflakes or other seasonal symbols to your car, classroom, workspace or unit!
Decorate Your Body
Decorating yourself subtly and having fun with your work attire according to the season should always be a go-to pick-me-up as a nurse. Dressing or accessorizing with seasonally styled pieces will act as a major boost to your mood and a constant boost to your seasonal spirit, will help you to spread this spirit more easily to patients and colleagues and will spark conversations. So consider pieces like snowflake earrings, sparkly badge holders, firework lanyards, stethoscopes with icy aesthetics and/or scrubs in the best colors for the season.
Don’t Let the Cold Get to You
Make sure you are always prepared to avoid the discomfort, negative impact on your work performance, irritability and health concerns that accompany the cold by investing in what you need to stay warm. Foods that take the longest to digest are also the ones that keep your body running warm the longest, so consider adding food items like red meat, root vegetables, ginger and garlic into your diet to warm the body from within. Externally, body warming fashions like commuter clothing and footwear (quality boots, extra socks, hat, mittens or gloves), underrated underscrub articles and overlooked stylish winter scrub jackets for women are all highly recommended.
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When the Seasons Change
When the world around you turns dark, cold and quiet, and your world gets painted with winter blues, it is important to create your own light! Fortunately, from literally letting in more light to combating the cold, the techniques used to beat the winter blues are by no means complex and can bring you significant comfort in the way you feel, both physically and emotionally. So while the cold may be hard to face, it is not hard to fight!