Tag: dr stephanie smith

Back to School

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It’s that time of year – Back To School!

And just like last year, this year is a little different. In person for the first time in over a year? Masks on? Masks off? New school? New teachers? New friends?

Even if nothing about your life has changed (same house, same neighborhood, etc) – school is different this year. New kids have arrived, and old friends have moved on. All of us have gotten older. Teachers and administrators have changed. Whole new schools have been built! Yikes!

It’s important to understand that with change, emotions might be heightened – for all of us – kids and adults alike. Tears might come more easily, our tempers might flare more quickly, and oh-my-gosh the exhaustion! This is totally normal! It takes time to get used to new routines, new bus routes, new class structure, and possibly new friend groups. Generally after a few weeks, we all settle into a routine and emotions return to a normal level.

For tips for managing Back to School blues, check out this article over at the American Psychological Associationhttps://www.apa.org/topics/child-development/school-anxiety:

https://www.apa.org/topics/child-development/school-anxiety

If, after a few weeks, the stress and heightened emotions don’t subside, it might be time to seek help from a mental health professional. Even a session or two can be enough time to learn some new tools for dealing with school stress.

A Different Kind of Holiday Season

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Well, here we are. The holiday season is upon us, and COVID rages on. We certainly aren’t where we hoped we would be at this point in the pandemic – to say the least.

Typically, this time of year is one of a lot of excitement and anticipation, but it’s also tough on a lot of us. Grief, overwhelming busyness, unrealistic expectations, family strife, financial strain – there are just so many reasons why the end of the year is tough on many Americans’ mental health. I’m wondering if this year might be a little different.

Of course, all of the above struggles (and more) are very real, but I’m wondering if the slower pace of life over the next few weeks will be a relief to some? Will taking a break from holiday parties, family get-togethers, and other holiday-related obligations help us experience the holidays in a different way? Will the forced slow-down of life make us more aware of the things that are really important to us, and more willing to let go of the things that aren’t?

This will likely (hopefully!!!) be the only holiday season in our lifetimes like this. Experts are indicating that by Thanksgiving/Holidays 2021, life will look closer to “normal.” Let’s hope so! But in the meantime, what can we learn from the quietness of this season?

Ready for the Election?

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Ready or not, the Presidential election is coming up…in 2 months…in the middle of a pandemic. Yikes! Just when we thought life couldn’t get more dramatic and contentious – here it comes.

I’ve written and spoken pretty extensively about Pre and Post-Election Stress Disorder (terms I made up) in the past. And it looks like some of my thoughts and tips are re-surfacing around the internet again. I recently saw this article over at Yahoo!Life:

In the article were a couple of quotes from me, including this one:

The cool thing is, this tip works great for managing COVID-related stress as well.

Long story short: minimize time on your phone/ipad/laptop. Seriously, consider cutting your screen time by drastic amounts. Good luck out there.

Photo credit: LA Johnson and NPR

Anxious About Getting Back Out There?

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Been in your house for the last few months? It can be a little scary to get back out into the world. Socializing is a muscle – when we stop using it, it gets a little rusty. And that can lead to worry and anxiety about getting back out into the world after our COVID-induced isolation.

I recently wrote an article over at Health eCareers about how to manage getting back out there: to BBQ’s, the gym, work, and school. **Obviously each community is re-opening at its own pace, please be mindful of local guidance about current COVID precautions**

Here’s one tip:

Friendships in the Midst of a Pandemic

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Everyone has an opinion about what is going on in the world these days. Our elected leaders, scientists, medical professionals, our partners, our neighbors, the guy pumping gas next to us, the lady in line in front of us at Walgreen’s. Everyone. So it’s no surprise that not everyone’s opinions line up.

We don’t all have to agree on everything, but we do need to share this world together. So how do we manage when people – especially friends and those close to us – have differing opinions about COVID, masks, closures, politics, etc?

I recently spoke with MEL Magazine about this very thing. Here are a couple of excerpts:

and

Want to check out the entire article? Check it out here:

Minimizing Media Use – Real Tools for Making Change

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UGH! Enough of the onslaught of news, “news” and on-line conversations already. It’s too much. Keeping abreast of the latest goings-on and government orders are one thing, spending hours in deep-dive mode on your phone or tablet is another.

I recently wrote an article over at Health eCareers in which I offered real, do-able strategies for decreasing media and screen time. After all, it’s rarely as easy as saying “I’m just going to look at my phone less.” Yea right. Here’s one idea:

One tip I didn’t write about in the article:

Make use of the tools that are already on your phone! For iphone users, go to Settings –> Screen Time –> Then play around with Downtime, App Limits and Communication Limits options. You can also watch your Daily Activity on the Screen Time page. Monitoring this is one way to keep yourself honest.

Check out the entire article, with ideas for managing both social and traditional media here:

Gun Ownership, Suicide and Safety

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I recently saw this wonderful, sensitive and informative video clip created by the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment about firearms and suicide in this state. CDPHE partnered with Jimmy Graham, a firearms instructor at Centennial Gun Club to provide some tips and strategies for keeping guns out of the hands of folks considering suicide.

Some important points brought up in the video:

  • Colorado is consistently ranked in the top 10 states in terms of deaths by suicide
  • Suicidal crises and thoughts are often brief in nature – meaning folks often don’t plan their suicide for long periods of time. It is often an impulsive decision
  • Because of the impulsive nature of many of these decisions, it becomes important to “put time and space between a suicidal person and means” by which they can harm themselves (i.e., a gun)
  • It’s OK to ask a loved one directly if they are thinking about suicide. This WILL NOT make them more likely to attempt suicide, instead it will give them an opportunity to share feelings that can be hard to express.

This video offers important information about how to own guns, while also being mindful of the health and safety of those in our families. Check out this awesome resource:

Are You A Pro At Deflection?

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Photo credit: Mindful.org

I was recently interviewed for an article about deflection over at Forge. While inspired by political events, like debates, the article offers so much more than the same old commentary about how politicians just say what they want to say and don’t answer the darn questions!

For example, the author describes different types of deflection used in various communications. Check out some of the excerpts from the article:

The Pivot: You recognize the question, then immediately pivot away from it, using a response like, “I understand what you’re saying, but I think the more important point is…” Then shift into the subject you really want to be talking about.

The Spin: “Instead of saying you’re leaving because your job makes you feel like a cog in the wheel, or because your voice isn’t heard, turn it into a positive: ‘That’s exactly why I’m here—because your company offers me a seat at the table and an opportunity to make real change.’

The Attack: It was 1984, and then-73-year-old Ronald Reagan was facing questions about his age in his campaign against a younger opponent. “At the debate against Walter Mondale, when they asked, Reagan said, ‘I won’t make age an issue, or exploit my opponent’s youth and inexperience,’” Bratt says. “It became this really famous deflection.”

Another take away? Deflection can be used in some really positive ways (think: steering the conversation away from politics when talking with a neighbor at the bus stop). But, using it too much can backfire.

Check out the entire article here.