Stress & Relaxation

Study Explores Benefits of Mindfulness for Burnout Syndrome

In today’s hectic workplace, it is easy to understand how some workers get burned out on the job. While the occasional bout of fatigue or lack of motivation is generally not something to become overly concerned about, the issue of burnout syndrome is something to keep on your radar. A recent study provides insight into the benefits of mindfulness for burnout syndrome, helping to give stressed workers direction for treatment. Here is what you need to know about burnout syndrome, its symptoms and how the art of practicing mindfulness and other tips can help you to stave off this serious health issue.

What is Burnout Syndrome?

Many people throw the term “burned out” around without knowing that burnout syndrome it is a serious mental health issue that impacts workers in many professions. While there are no official clinical diagnosis parameters used to define burnout syndrome, this condition is now widely recognized as a consequential mental wellness concern that can lead to significant health issues.

Dealing with burnout is more than just feeling tired or bored with your job. The syndrome can lead to a host of short-term and long-term health conditions if you are not proactive about treating it.

Risk Factors and Signs of Burnout Syndrome

While no profession is immune from feeling the effects of burnout syndrome, there are certain career paths that are more susceptible to this problem. People who work in naturally high-stress jobs, such as doctors, firefighters and nurses, may experience a higher risk of burnout syndrome than those in less stressful positions.

Although there are a host of small symptoms that accompany burnout, people experiencing this syndrome will generally feel exhausted. This can take the form of physical or emotional exhaustion. A lack of day-to-day energy is another common thread among people suffering from burnout syndrome.

Feeling alienated from work and a general attitude of pessimism surrounding your job may be another symptom that you are at risk of developing burnout syndrome. Once you start feeling emotionally distant from a job you once loved, it is important to consider that you may be facing a serious issue that you need to address.

Lastly, people who are experiencing burnout syndrome begin to show reduced performance on the job. Eventually, this lapse in performance can spill over to your personal life, complicating the issue even further.

Benefits of Mindfulness for Burnout

So where does mindfulness come in when it comes to providing a treatment option for burnout syndrome? To understand the benefits of mindfulness for burnout syndrome, you need to understand more about what mindfulness is and how you can cultivate this state of mind.

Simply defined, “being mindful” means that you are actively in the present, paying attention to what is going on around you and being attentive to your own feelings. Rather than dwelling on the past or thinking about the future, being mindful means that you are living fully in the present.

A recent study out of the Ohio State University is helping researchers to understand how mindfulness can help to prevent and treat burnout syndrome. Participants in the study completed a Mindfulness in Motion (MIM) intervention program lasting for eight weeks. The purpose of the program was to encourage resiliency and reduce stress among healthcare workers.

After completing the program, researchers noted a noticeable decrease in perceived stress and inflammation in the participants. In addition, the participants also reported better sleep habits and a more positive level of work engagement. The results demonstrated that burnout, perceived stress and resilience were all improved up to a full year after the completion of the intervention. This revelation gives credence to the belief that intentional mindfulness can significantly improve the outlook for those at risk of developing burnout syndrome.

Additional Ways to Protect Against Burnout

While practicing mindfulness is a powerful tool in the fight against burnout syndrome, it does not need to be the only tool in your arsenal. Here are additional ways that you can reduce the odds that you become a victim of burnout syndrome.

Improve Sleep Habits

The amount and quality of sleep that you get can have a profound impact on your goal to reduce the risk of burnout syndrome. Most adults should aim to get around eight hours of sleep per night in order to function at optimal levels.

Take Supplements

The use of a targeted supplement has also been shown to reduce the odds of developing burnout syndrome. A supplement containing L-tryptophan, 5-HTP, vitamin B3 and vitamin B6 has been shown to be the ideal combination to support the healthy serotonin levels needed to combat burnout syndrome.

Practice Self-Care

You should never be too busy to practice self-care. Whether it be taking a long nap, spending a day at the spa or hanging out with friends, doing what makes you happy can go a long way in helping you to avoid burnout syndrome.

Move Your Body

There is no doubt that exercise delivers a wide array of health benefits, including the mental boost needed to reduce stress and burnout. You should aim to get at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise five days per week.

Do not let your job control your mental and emotional health. Understanding burnout syndrome and how you can avoid it is one of the best things that you can do for your overall wellness.

Prebiotics Help Reduce Anxiety When Taken Daily, Says New Study

May 10 by Ewcopywriting

Prebiotics are insoluble fibers that, when ingested, help to nourish the beneficial bacteria in the gut. New evidence suggests that when consumed daily, prebiotics help reduce anxiety and boost overall mental health. Find out how you can help your gut microbiome by incorporating more prebiotics into your diet.

What’s the Difference Between Prebiotics and Probiotics?

While certain bacteria are harmful to your health, there are also strands of bacteria that are beneficial to your health. These helpful types of bacteria thrive in the intestines, and they form a community known as the gut microbiome. The helpful bacteria that exists in the foods we eat are called probiotics. By eating a broader range of natural foods that contain probiotics, you help to increase the population of helpful bacteria in your gut. A more diverse selection of probiotics in your gut helps to manage weight, boost the immune system and regulate many other biological functions throughout the body.

However, the “‘friendly” bacteria in your gut need nutrition to thrive and grow just like any other type of living organisms, and this is where prebiotics come in. Some of the plant-based foods we eat also contain certain types of fiber and other natural compounds that the human body can’t digest, which are known as prebiotics. Fortunately, the bacteria in your gut needs these compounds to survive.

Eating foods rich in prebiotic compounds will help grow the population of probiotics in your gut by giving them the sustenance they need to grow and multiply. In this way, probiotics and prebiotics form a process that’s beneficial to gut health and other aspects of your overall health. It also means that failing to eat enough foods that are rich in prebiotics can adversely affect your health by reducing the diverse range of probiotics in your gut.

How Can Prebiotics Help Reduce Anxiety?

The relationship between prebiotics and probiotics is important to understand in terms of mental health due to the recent findings in anxiety research. Even before the latest evidence was uncovered, researchers found that probiotics affect the brain’s ability to regulate mood. Additionally, probiotics are responsible for helping to manage stress before it has an opportunity to affect physical and emotional health. While it’s more commonly known that insufficient probiotics in the diet can lead to digestive disorders, including irritable bowel syndrome, it has also been found to increase the chances of developing depression, Alzheimer’s disease and other types of mental and emotional health problems.

Newer research has focused on how prebiotics help reduce anxiety when they are included as a consistent part of one’s diet. A recent study, conducted at the UK’s University of Surrey, focused on how prebiotic-rich foods affected a group of 64 healthy women between the ages of 18 and 25.

In the study, the group of women was divided in half with 32 receiving a daily prebiotic supplement. The women in the other group were given a placebo. Emotional health status among the women was evaluated by administering questionnaires to the subjects in both groups. The surveys inquired about mood changes, feelings of anxiety and sleep difficulties. The participants were also required to provide fecal samples to help researchers determine the health of each woman’s gut microbiome.

After 28 days, researchers found that the women taking the prebiotic supplements exhibited better gut health and reduced levels of anxiety. The women in the other group exhibited no changes in gut health or emotional health.

Dr. Kathrin Cohen Kadosh, who headed up the research project, concluded that the findings provided hope for improving both gut health and emotional health. She said that adding a prebiotic supplement to one’s daily routine could strengthen gut health, while also improving mental health. There’s also hope that this discovery may lead to new treatments for emotional and cognitive health problems in the future.

How Can You Add More Prebiotics to Your Diet?

There are a two primary ways to ensure you are getting sufficient amounts of beneficial prebiotics in your daily diet.

Take a Daily Supplement

You can directly introduce more prebiotics and probiotics into your gut by taking a high-quality daily supplement. Be sure to look for a supplement that contains a healthy supply of both probiotics and prebiotics, such as Florachron. This will ensure that you’re receiving all of the nutrients your gut needs to thrive and support your overall health.

Eat More Prebiotic-Rich Foods

Essentially, look to incorporate prebiotic foods that have high amounts of natural fiber and natural carbohydrates. The body converts the fiber and carbs into butyrate, which is a short-chain fatty acid. Butyrate is used by the bacteria in the gut for nourishment.

The best foods to eat for their prebiotic content are:

legumes and beans
peas
bananas
berries
asparagus
garlic, leeks and onions

Probiotics and prebiotics are not found in the same foods, making it important to develop a diet that includes a broad range of foods. For probiotics, you’ll need to eat more fermented foods, such as plain yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi and unpasteurized pickles. Any fermented food you eat should be unpasteurized since the pasteurization process kills the beneficial bacteria in the food.

While research into the gut microbiome’s affects on mental health continues, we already know that a diverse gut microbiome positively impacts cognitive functioning, mood and emotional health. By taking steps to create a more diverse population of bacteria in your gut, you can improve many different aspects of your health, including alleviating anxiety and stress.

Supplementing With Omega-3 Protects Against Stress, May Help Slow Aging

Apr 28 by Ewcopywriting

Omega-3 fatty acids play a variety of roles in the body, contributing to both physical health and mental wellness. A new body of research is proving that supplementing with omega-3 protects against stress, helping to slow the aging process of the body as a result. Here is everything that you need to know about this class of fatty acids, including how you can boost your intake of this nutrient for better health.

What are Omega-3 Fatty Acids?

You do not have to be a health nut to know that omega-3 fatty acids are one of the most important nutrients that you can give your body. But what exactly are these fatty acids and how do they benefit your body?

There are three types of omega-3 fatty acids. Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is primarily found in plant oils such as canola oil and soybean oil. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) are generally found naturally in fish and other types of seafood. As an essential fatty acid, your body does not make ALA, meaning that you must be diligent about getting it from food and beverage sources or through the use of targeted supplements.

Benefits of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

There is no shortage of benefits of omega-3 fatty acids. These nutrients can have a profound impact on the proper function of many parts of your body and brain. Sufficient intake of omega-3 is useful in fighting inflammation and in boosting bone health, helping to ward off conditions such as osteoporosis.

Because DHA is a primary structural component of the retinas in your eyes, maintaining adequate levels can be beneficial in preventing macular degeneration. Getting enough omega-3 fatty acids can also help to guard against a variety of chronic diseases and illnesses, including arthritis, heart disease and metabolic syndrome. The nutrient will also protect against autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and psoriasis.

Taking in enough omega-3 fatty acids promotes better sleep while also improving the appearance of your skin. Finally, you will also reduce your risk of a host of mental disorders by boosting your intake of omega-3sm including depression, anxiety and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease.

It is clear that many areas of both your physical and mental health will benefit by being intentional about getting enough of this crucial nutrient.

How Supplementing With Omega-3 Protects Against Stress

A new study out of the Ohio State University revealed that daily supplements boasting 2.5 grams of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids performed the best when looking to help the body ward off the effects of stress. By suppressing the damage that stress can cause to the body and increasing protection at the cellular level, omega-3s can even potentially help to slow down the aging process.

The results of the study demonstrate that taking an omega-3 supplement is one of the easiest yet most profound ways that you can disrupt the cycle of stress on the body leading to a variety of health issues. A simple supplement is an easy way to ward off or in some cases even reverse some of the most significant health conditions that many people face.

While the 2.5-gram dose of omega-3s studied in this research is significantly more than what most people ingest on a daily basis, it is important to note that the participants in the study did not demonstrate any issues with the higher dosage.

How You Can Boost Intake of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

It is probably easier than you think to boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Start your efforts by being intentional about incorporating the foods that are rich in this nutrient into your diet. Both flaxseed oil and canola oil are high in ALA omega-3s. Sprinkling chia seeds and walnuts on to your favorite foods will also boost your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

While nearly all seafood contains omega-3s, some sources are more nutrient dense than others. Salmon is a particularly rich source of omega-3 fatty acids. Herring, sardines and shellfish such as lobster and scallops also supply this nutrient. Next time you make a sandwich, consider spreading a tablespoon of mayonnaise on the bread to increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

Because some of these top sources of omega-3s are not widely consumed by everyone, many health-savvy individuals turn to high-quality dietary supplements that provide omega-3 fatty acids to boost their intake of this important nutrient. As the recent study out of the Ohio State University proved, omega-3 fatty acids are easily processed by the body when consumed via supplements.

While there are still questions surrounding how to best harness the power of this nutrient, it is clear that omega-3 fatty acid should be an essential part of your health routine. The recent research detailing how omega-3s can protect against stress and slow the aging process is just another in a long list of compelling reasons why you should make the intake of this nutrient a priority for your health and wellness.

Five Relaxation Tips to Protect Against Burnout Syndrome

Apr 13 by Ewcopywriting

In order to avoid the dreaded “burnout syndrome” on the job, it’s important to employ solid relaxation tips on a regular basis. The right strategies will help you to relax both your mind and your body simultaneously. Not only will this help you to perform your job more effectively and efficiently, but it will also provide lasting benefits for your overall health. Here is what you need to know about job burnout syndrome and how you can take steps to mitigate this issue.

Understanding Burnout Syndrome

Burnout syndrome is a specific type of stress that comes in a job setting. The term can encompass both physical and mental exhaustion. When suffering from burnout syndrome, it is not uncommon to have feelings of overwhelm coupled with a low sense of accomplishment as it relates to your job. A serious case of job burnout may spill over into other areas of your life.

There are a number of factors that can lead to job burnout. Some of the most common are an imbalance in your work and personal life, the feeling that you do not have control over your situation, unclear expectations and challenging workplace dynamics.

Symptoms of Job Burnout

While it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly why you are experiencing burnout syndrome, some of the symptoms are easier to pinpoint. Common symptoms of this issue include a continued sense of impatience with your colleagues, a lack of intrinsic satisfaction with your achievements and a lack of motivation for tasks that used to interest you.

Other types of symptoms that may manifest themselves in your personal life include disruptions in your sleeping habits, difficulty concentrating and unexplained headaches or stomach issues. While these symptoms on their own are not necessarily an indicator of a greater issue, combined, they may be a sign that you are experiencing burnout syndrome.

Different Types of Rest

Many people simply misunderstand the various types of rest and why each one is important to your relaxation goals after a long day on the job. There are three critical components of rest and recovery. Even if you are all caught up on your sleep, you may still feel weary if you are not addressing all three of these elements.

Relaxing Your Body

When it comes to relaxation, most people think of resting the body. This means that you need to give your physical self the time and opportunity to fully rest and recover from the rigors of the day.

Relaxing Your Mind

Another important cog in the wheel of rest is to relax your mind. If your mind is running a mile a minute, you cannot expect to feel relaxed and recharged.

Relaxing Your Expectations

You are often the most guilty party when it comes to unreasonable expectations. In order to avoid burnout syndrome, it is important to keep your expectations for yourself and your co-workers realistic. Giving yourself and others grace is essential when looking to relax your expectations.

Relaxation Tips

The good news is that there are concrete steps that you can take to encourage relaxation in order to mitigate the effects and serious consequences of burnout syndrome. Here are just a few of the best ways that you can engage in helpful relaxation.

1. Get Moving

Making exercise a priority in your daily routine will go a long way in promoting effective relaxation. Regular exercise reduces stress levels, helps you to sleep better, and provides a release for those complicated emotions. There is no downside to making physical exercise a priority in your life.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Gratitude

Your attitude has a significant impact on your mental health. Mindful meditation and being intentional about practicing gratitude can help you to better deal with stress on the job.

3. Put it Out There

It is easy to think that you are alone in the fight if you are not willing to talk about your emotions. Talking about your feelings and putting them out there will provide a necessary emotional release. Along the way, you may find different ways to deal with your workplace struggles.

4. Boost Serotonin

Scientific research has demonstrated that the hormone serotonin is instrumental in boosting mental and emotional wellness. Excessive stress has also been shown to reduce the level of serotonin in the body.

Because the stress associated with burnout syndrome may affect serotonin levels, it stands to reason that being intentional about increasing serotonin levels can have a significant impact on your mental health. The use of a supplement designed to support healthy serotonin levels is an easy way to ensure adequate levels of this important substance.

5. Focus on Self-Care

Lastly, making self-care a focus in your life can help you to manage your stress levels in the workplace. How you achieve this self-care is up to you and your personal needs. For some people, it may mean quiet time alone relaxing. For others, self-care may come in the form of time with friends and family.

While it is impossible to fully guard against job burnout syndrome, these relaxation tips can form the cornerstone of proper rest. This relaxation will set you up for more success both in your job and in your personal life.

The Insidious Link Between Anxiety and Inflammation

Mar 31 by Ewcopywriting

Inflammation is one of the responses that the immune system produces to combat a foreign threat, such as a virus or an infection. In chronic inflammation, inflammation lingers for a long period of time — months or perhaps even years — possibly becoming an ongoing condition in the individual’s body. Chronic inflammation has been linked to a number of serious health concerns, including autoimmune disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and more. New research has discovered a link between anxiety and inflammation; although the question of whether anxiety causes inflammation or whether inflammation incites anxiety has yet to be answered, some research suggests that protecting against or reducing inflammation in the body may offer benefits for those who experience anxiety.

How Chronic Inflammation Harms Human Health

Although in general, inflammation is a healthy response to infection or injury, chronic or long-lasting inflammation can eventually become detrimental to your health.

For example, individuals with an unusually high number of markers for inflammation will also have a higher risk of developing chronic medical conditions. Health conditions like metabolic syndrome, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease are more common in those who suffer from chronic inflammation. In addition to the symptoms of the particular disease an individual develops, chronic inflammation can also cause the symptoms like fatigue and body pain.

Causes and Contributing Factors

While the presence of autoimmune disease increases the likelihood that someone suffers from chronic inflammation, there are other factors to consider. If you meet any of these criteria, there’s a higher than average chance that you either suffer from chronic inflammation or will develop the condition in the future.

are age 50 or older
are overweight or obese
consume a diet rich in unhealthy fats and sugar
smoke cigarettes
have low testosterone or estrogen levels
suffer from stress or anxiety
have a sleep disorder

There are other conditions that are often present in those with chronic inflammation. These conditions include asthma, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis and periodontitis. There’s some indication that a poor gut microbiome may also contribute to chronic inflammation. As a result, people who suffer from a chronic peptic ulcer, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis may also be suffering from chronic inflammation.

Taking steps to alleviate inflammation may also help reduce the severity or frequency of symptoms for these other medical conditions. Alternatively, taking steps to boost the health of your gut microbiome may help reduce chronic inflammation.

New Research Finds a Link Between Anxiety and Inflammation

In a recent study, researchers examined a broad sample of subjects, looking for inflammation markers in their blood. They looked for the markers identified as CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in each of the 853 subjects, recording the degree to which the markers were present in each subject. They also asked each of the individuals to complete a questionnaire that focused on the state of mind and level of anxiety each was experiencing.

Upon examining their findings, the research team discovered that men with higher levels of CRP, IL-6 and TNF-alpha also reported experiencing more severe anxiety. Similarly, women with higher levels of anxiety had more of the CRP and IL-6 markers in their blood.

Simply verifying that both inflammation and anxiety are present in the body at the same time still doesn’t prove that one causes the other. Attempting to show that there’s a stronger link between anxiety and inflammation, the researchers administered doses of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to the test subjects. LPS is a compound that’s known to trigger the immune system’s inflammatory reaction. As expected, inflammation markers in the blood of each subject increased significantly, with the IL-6 marker being the highest. It was also observed that anxiety levels in the participants increased to corresponding levels.

This research confirms the belief that inflammation may be a cause of anxiety and that by controlling chronic inflammation, anxiety may also be reduced. It also suggests that inflammation may increase the risk for diseases other than heart disease, diabetes and anxiety. In taking steps to reduce inflammation by introducing anti-inflammatory foods and nutrients into your diet, you may be able to lower your risk for anxiety and a broad range of other chronic conditions.

How Can You Reduce Inflammation Risk?

In general, processed foods should be avoided and replaced with more natural or plant-based foods. This is because processed foods contain high levels of refined carbs that lead to insulin resistance when consumed frequently or in high quantities. The result is an increase in the production of inflammatory cytokines in your body. Additionally, processed foods have high concentrations of omega-6 fatty acids, which are also an inflammatory agents when consumed out-of-proportion with the balancing omega-3 fatty acids.

Specifically, the following inflammatory foods should be avoided:

refined carbs (white bread, baked goods, etc.)
fried foods
soda and other drinks that include high amounts of added sugar
burgers, hot dogs and other types of processed meats
margarine, lard and shortener

While all plant-based foods make better eating options, these particular foods provide specific anti-inflammatory benefits:

tomatoes
olive oil
kale, spinach and other leafy greens
nuts, including walnuts and almonds
salmon, tuna, sardines and other types of oily fish
fruits, including strawberries, cherries, blueberries and oranges

Even before research linked chronic inflammation with a state of anxiety, it was known that diet affects emotional health. People who eat more processed foods experience more depressive episodes and struggle with stress more frequently. They also feel anxiety more acutely.

On the opposite side of the same token, eating a Mediterranean diet, or a diet comprised largely of plant-based foods, has been shown to lead to better emotional and cognitive health. People who stick to a more natural diet feel generally happier and more energetic. They also experience lower levels of stress, which is also known to trigger feelings of anxiety. A number of natural nutrients may also help protect against inflammation. Supplementing your diet with a high-quality natural formula that provides these nutrients could also help in the battle against inflammation.

This latest research gives us a better understanding of how our diet influences emotional health, particularly feelings of anxiety.

Thanksgiving 2020: Preserving Mental Health During the Pandemic

Nov 26 by Ewcopywriting

As the opening day of the holiday season, Thanksgiving can be stressful — even without Covid-19 concerns. The focus on family and tradition can bring up a lot of emotions, expectations and pressures. It’s no wonder so many people struggle with mental health issues during this time of year; even those that look forward to the holidays with joy and excitement. Covid-19 worries and restrictions can compound stress this Thanksgiving 2020 and make it more difficult to maintain a sense of mental well-being.

Thanksgiving 2020 Won’t Be The Same For Most

For Thanksgiving 2020, officials are urging people not to travel, to stay at home and to limit their contact with others. Some states have enacted formal limitations for gatherings. Families used to spending the holidays together must rethink their Thanksgiving plans and possibly even forego their traditional family gatherings.

CNN reports that an Axios-Ipsos poll revealed that 61 percent of Americans have made changes to their Thanksgiving plans because of the rising number of Covid-19 cases many regions are experiencing. Approximately 10 percent of those responding to the poll aren’t going to celebrate the holiday at all this year.

Potential Mental Health Consequences

The Covid-19 pandemic has come with a lot of its own stress and worry, not limited to health concerns. There’s been a serious economic impact for many, along with significant changes to daily routines. Many parents find themselves struggling to balance their children’s distance learning with their own work, a difficult scenario whether they’re working from home or still at their job sites. Uncertainty and worry have become a part of the 2020 landscape. That’s a lot for people to cope with, especially coming into the holiday season.

Being separated from loved ones during a time of year so hyper-focused on family togetherness can be difficult, increasing feelings of isolation and loneliness. Stress and anxiety about the health of family members that are more vulnerable to Covid-19 can feel overwhelming. Everyday worries can be heightened in such a high-stress atmosphere, making it more difficult cope with daily challenges and increasing feelings of irritation and frustration. This can all contribute to a higher risk of depression for those already struggling with mood disorders and other mental health issues.

Practical Steps To Preserve Mental Well-Being

Fortunately, there are plenty of things you can do to protect your mental health during this challenging time. Be proactive about shoring up the foundations of good mental health. Make sure you take the time to get enough sleep. Make a special effort to get some exercise, especially outside in the sun. Invest time in eating well.

Numerous studies demonstrate the importance of nutrition on optimum cognitive functioning and mental well-being. Be sure to get plenty of B complex vitamins, antioxidant nutrients, vitamin D, vitamin C and omega-3 fatty acids. Choose whole foods and avoid overly processed foods that offer little nutrition, but plenty of chemicals. Artificial colors, flavors and other food chemicals can impact mood, especially in those with chemical sensitivities.

Amino acids are also important to mental well-being. The amino acid L-tryptophan is directly involved in the production of serotonin. Foods like turkey, fatty fish, nuts, seeds and bananas provide this essential nutrient. 5-HTP is another component in the production of serotonin. Using a supplement with both L-tryptophan and 5-HTP has been shown to help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. If your diet hasn’t been its best lately, taking this type of supplement could be a wise step to help cope with the stresses of Thanksgiving 2020. However, when using any dietary supplement, it is important to discuss it with your health care provider to make sure it won’t interfere with any other medications you may be taking.

Technology can present practical solutions for sharing Thanksgiving in a time of social distancing. Reduce feelings of isolation or loneliness by spending time together via Zoom, perhaps even sharing a holiday meal or dessert together online or getting together after the big meal to chat over coffee. You may even find that, without the usual hustle and bustle of meal prep for a crowd, you actually share more quality time than usual with relatives and friends. Make sure that elderly family members know how to use these technologies ahead of time so they can enjoy virtual get-togethers.

Be Thankful Together

Even virtually, one of the most important Thanksgiving traditions – being thankful – can still be enjoyed. In fact, gratitude has been shown to be an important part of mental and emotional well-being. Being mindfully thankful can help you to be more resilient in troubled times, can improve mental health by helping to dissipate negative emotions and can help increase empathy, all of which are useful during this Covid-19-complicated period of time. Many families take a few minutes on Thanksgiving to talk about the things they are grateful for. That’s something that can be done together this Thanksgiving 2020, even when separated by distance.