One year into the pandemic, and nothing is back to normal. We are still in lockdown, waiting on a daily tally of positive cases, and deaths. While our health care system is stretched to breaking point, the pandemic has had a devastating impact on our mental health. The number of people seeking help for anxiety has skyrocketed, prescriptions for anti-depressants...[ read more ]
My Mom is 85 years old. She lives on the Southeast Coast of the UK, England. I think she believes she is immune from the coronavirus. She wants to do her own shopping. She wants to have lunch with her close friends. A couple of weeks ago she went to a funeral, indoors, a friend-of-a-friend. Yesterday she told me that...[ read more ]
The days are growing shorter, and the leaves are gradually turning from brilliant greens, to the brown, orange and red that we readily associate with fall. The seasonal changes are upon us, and as all parents of school aged kids, and all kids, know, the shorter days, and turning leaves, signals our return to school. For the retail world, back...[ read more ]
Teenagers are grieving right now. Dealing with high school, college applications, body changes and maturation, peer pressure, identity and sexual exploration, forming friendships, gaining independence from their parents, first jobs, social media and cyberbullying – adolescents have a lot on their plate. Now let’s add in a unique twist of events that completely changed this year’s challenges – COVID, school...[ read more ]
The sun is shining; we want to run outside, put on the sprinklers, light up the BBQ, and invite our besties over for supper. But, instead, we are masked and gloved, walking at a carefully measured distance from our fellow shoppers, trying to find something to cook for our cranky kids, and, just as cranky spouse. Physical distancing was, perhaps...[ read more ]
Twenty years ago my dad died. I was working with him in the North of Thailand. I got up in the morning as usual and got ready to leave the house to go to work. As I was pushing the door open to leave I had a moment of hesitation; an urge to go back and see him. But I...[ read more ]
If you’re like most people, you are doing your best to stay calm during COVID-19 pandemic. But that can feel incredibly difficult at times. When not worrying about friends and loved one’s health, there’s also the conflicting information provided by the media and the economic ramifications of the virus that have people on edge. Signs of Emotional Distress and 6...[ read more ]
We are now at the end of the third week of ‘social distancing,’ and the closing down of all non-essential businesses and services. Our thoughts and best wishes are with all of you, as you face the challenges of living moment by moment through this crisis, living in close proximity with your family – with no escapes, and no child-care,...[ read more ]
It is natural to feel anxious and worried about the Coronavirus as the world has not seen a pandemic like this in centuries. However, taking care of your mental health is equally important and here are a few quick tips to cope with Coronavirus stress: Acknowledge your feelings: The first step to cope with Coronavirus stress is to regain control...[ read more ]
As the events of COVID-19 continue to unfold, many of us are focusing on how we can keep ourselves and our families as healthy as possible. While social distancing and increased handwashing can be very effective at stopping the spreading of the Coronavirus, it is equally important to keep our immune systems strong. With this in mind, here are some...[ read more ]