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Mental Health

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First the COVID-19 pandemic, now winterā€¦.is seasonal depression coming my way?

Mental Health

A: Not necessarily! There are things you can do to ward off the blues. TL; DR: Focus on variables you can change: sleeping, scheduling, using a bright light, planning activities, and allowing yourself breaks. The Long Version: We know that the pandemic has worsened mental health symptoms (primarily anxiety and depressive symptoms), especially for young Read more…

How can I navigate mourning the death of loved ones during Covid-19?

Infection and Spread Mental Health

A: This is hard. We celebrate life and grieve loss with our Dear Pandemic community. Traditional grieving practices such as funerals require additional considerations during the present pandemic to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 while also supporting normal grief following a death. The combination of tragic circumstances, social isolation, and in some cases multiple losses Read more…

As a working parent, Iā€™m already at my limit on stress–how am I supposed to manage holiday stress too?? Help me!

Mental Health

A: We know that many parents are struggling for balance: working, virtual school, housework, and now also the holidays! To keep stress from putting a damper on the holidays, use proven strategies to take a pause. As parents, we experience all of the emotions for ourselves and for our kids. Compound that with the stress Read more…

I love going for long walks with my dog. But, I heard that my dog can give me COVID-19! Is this true?

Infection and Spread Mental Health Staying Safe

A: Possible, but not likely (and remember, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus, COVID-19 is the disease in humans). So put on your mask, grab your hand sanitizer, and ā€¦ keep walking your dog! Hereā€™s the longer version. Over the past week, several news outlets have claimed that people who walk dogs are more likely to have Read more…

As winter approaches and many of us are facing unprecedented levels of COVID-19 in our communities, how can we stay safe AND stay sane over the next few months?

Mental Health Socializing Staying Safe

A: The reality is that despite cooling temperatures outside we all need to be thinking about how to reduce the time we spend indoors with those not in our household. The good news is this wonā€™t last forever and we know what steps to take. Indeed, re-upping the strategies we know work to stop the Read more…

I was paying attention to the US election news this week and didn’t really follow the pandemic news. Now I check the numbers and — whoa! What happened??!?

Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Travel

Q: Does this mean more lockdowns? To be honest, I’m kinda done. A: Cases are surging, we have rough weeks ahead, and everyone’s collective will to combat the pandemic has eroded. Stay focused on the things you can do in the short term, and stay realistic about this new surge. First, the numbers: If you Read more…

How do I break it to my mother-in-law that we’re not coming to Christmas dinner? šŸ˜¬šŸ˜¬šŸ˜¬

Families/Kids Mental Health Socializing Travel

A: Hereā€™s the bottom line: you are not in control of other peopleā€™s thoughts, feelings, or actions. You can only control your own thoughts, feelings, and actions. And you do not have to sacrifice your comfort to make someone else happy. Be firm, be brief, focus on your own decisions rather than hers, and don’t Read more…

Iā€™m feeling anxiousā€¦ and bored at the same time. Is this normal? And is there a solution?

Mental Health

A: Welcome to the paradoxical feeling of acedia ā€“ an old word used to describe that very now feeling of apathetic restlessness. Good news: There are evidence-based ways to fight back. Background: Early Christian monks called acedia the ā€œnoonday demonā€ ā€“ the tough feelings you feel where you are alone, feeling listless and wonder why Read more…