Frida Marie Grande (32) was committed, creative and energetic. She had her dream job, and was happily available around the clock. We rewind to February 2021. During a digital meeting, her colleagues asked how it went. Then he snapped. – I felt completely empty. Then there would have been many years of intense work. Soon after, she was 100% on sick leave. Dark months and busy times January, February, March are the months with the most sick reports. Frida doesn’t think it’s a coincidence that her body stopped in February. – Later I realized that winter depression is something I struggle with. After holding out for many months, it gets pretty heavy in February. Lene Lehmann Moberg is a senior adviser at NAV. She says there may be several reasons why these months reign supreme. – Winter is peak season for viruses. In addition, chronic problems in the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory tract can get worse in winter. Physical activity, which can prevent illness, is also more challenging in winter. Lene Lehmann Moberg is a senior adviser at NAV. Photo: NAV Vidar Kristiansen is a specialist in psychology and runs the account psykolog.pappa. He is not surprised that these months top the statistics. – Many people grit their teeth and hold out for a long-awaited break at Christmas, and realize at the start of the new year that there is a need for a bigger break. He pointed out that January is also a month when many go through cohabitation breaks. At the same time, it is dark, and the virus waves are raging. – And then we know that stress makes up a large part of sick reports. GP Kaveh Rashidi also recognizes the problem. Here you can see how he explains it: Most people report sick in January, February and March. Claustrophobia in the waiting room After Frida collapsed in front of her colleagues, she booked an appointment with the doctor. – I would never have been there to talk about anything other than physical things. I almost got claustrophobic in the waiting room, and was actually on my way out the door. But luckily the doctor got me, she says. She was on sick leave for two weeks. Then she felt shame and guilt. – It was a hard blow in the face to go from a lot of surplus to being on sick leave. I didn’t recognize myself anymore. Then one becomes quite confused and despondent. This is not unknown to the psychological specialist. – Many people are ashamed, and shame is unfortunately something that ruins the process to get better. Frida Marie Grande has faced the wall several times in the last three years. Photo: Ksenia Novikova / news Many fall into the trap Frida was on sick leave, but stressed. She wanted to quickly return to work. This can make it worse, according to Kristiansen. – Some people can fall into the trap by pushing themselves too hard, and end up just as tired. For others, it would be wise to return quickly to the working environment. He says it is allowed to live normally even if you are away from work. – One should not have a bad conscience for doing things that make us healthy. The psychological specialist is also preoccupied with prevention. – Sufficient sleep, exercise and nutritious food are important. Then we prepare ourselves to face difficult things in everyday life, he says. Frida has created her own workplace, but has been burnt out several times in recent years. Her best advice is to take a proper break the first time. – Those who do it are fools, she says. Frida’s advice for good mental health Talk to someone who can help you make good choices. Partner, friends or family. Contact your doctor and check whether you can take out sick leave. It is better to be awake for a few weeks than not to come back. Log off social media completely. Frida herself has experienced that it is easy to get sick and tired of comparing yourself to others. Get out in the fresh air! Exercising is good medicine, also for mental health. Be open, you are guaranteed not to be alone in your feelings. Put yourself first and say no.
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The first months of the year are peak season for sick reports – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
