Countering the Winter Worries During This Storm

This weekend, people across the east coast experienced a downpour of snow and ice. Many people are still feeling the effects of lost power, damaged pipes, and a myriad of other complications. While it appears as if the weather is looking up (in my very uninformed non-meteorological understanding), we are not in the clear yet. Uncommonly cold weather will continue throughout this week, likely bringing more snow, sleet, or other types of wintry precipitation. 

Cold weather, like what we are currently experiencing, can have widespread effects for people, regardless of how prepared they are. Of course, there are the obvious impacts such as lost access to food and water and financial burdens of not being able to get to work or having to find safe housing. But these conditions can also leave people feeling unprepared, in danger, and scared. 

It is helpful to be a little nervous when storms hit, regardless of the season. This type of anxiety might feel overwhelming and unnecessary, but it serves a purpose to help you recognize danger and prepare for complications. However, too much anxiety can impair your judgement and lead to undue stress.

If you are looking for milk, eggs, and bread right now, you might be out of luck. But why? Bread is understandable, as sandwiches can be a good source of nutrients if the power goes out, but have you ever wondered why we buy milk and eggs, items that spoil so easily? While psychologists have several theories about why this is the case, many think that we buy perishables like these because that is what we think we are supposed to do. 

Our fear, while understandable, drives us make decisions that are not always grounded in reality. While a little extra milk probably won’t hurt anybody, this example can be extended to many other aspects of life during a storm. 

For example, people are going to be driving when it is too dangerous to do so. Your safety and the safety of others is the most important factor during a storm. Listen to the experts and keep the roads clear to make room for emergency vehicles and essential workers. Even you northerners out there who know how to drive in the snow: remember, just because you know how, doesn’t mean that the drivers sharing the road with you have those skills.