COVID-19

Reboot Your Mood in 2021

Reboot Your Mood in 2021

Are you feeling disoriented or unmotivated to start the new year? You have probably felt like this in previous years after the holidays. Still, this year it might be even more challenging to get moving after a year of chronic stress. Instead of allowing these feelings to keep you from embracing all that the year offers, here are six evidence-based ways to get your energy back.

Pandemic Fatigue

Pandemic Fatigue

After months of socially restricting our interactions, we are restless and long for the company of family and friends. Some of us are even showing signs of more serious psychological distress, such as depression and anxiety. And, during the holidays, we saw people choose to ignore the advice from experts and participate in family gatherings, often flying to see them while others complied and stayed at home. So, why do some people comply and others do not?

Choose Happiness

Choose Happiness

This is my favorite time of the year. I like everything about it. But what I like most is how everyone is just a little bit more cheery and kind. And there is a sense of anticipation in the air. However, this year I've noticed a difference. We are a lot less kind, maybe even impatient with others. No question, there’s good reason to feel a little sad and disappointed as the pandemic rages. However, we have a lot more control over our level of happiness than we may believe.

Social Craving

Social Craving

Since the pandemic began, many people have only seen their friends and family on video calls or at a distance. While seeing others at a safe distance or on video may help, it is not a perfect substitute for being with others in person. With the upcoming holiday season, we are probably a little more frustrated than usual that we won't be able to be with our loved ones and friends. If you feel this way, new research indicates that our reaction may be more than just a psychological one, but may actually be biological, too.

Finding Gratitude in Crisis

Finding Gratitude in Crisis

With Thanksgiving and the beginning of the holiday season, we are constantly reminded to turn our attention toward celebrating the good things in our lives with family and friends. However, this year will be different. Most of the things we have done in the past will drastically change. Because of this, many of us might be having difficulty finding reasons to feel grateful. With this in mind, I decided to share a personal story to offer a little inspiration.

Are You Working More?

Are You Working More?

Many of us are now working at home, saving hours of commuting time. Think about it, how much time are you saving each day? To find out just how much time we’re saving and what we’re doing with this time, researchers surveyed 10,000 Americans earlier this year. What they found out was quite interesting.

Challenges of Working From Home

Challenges of Working From Home

In early 2020 the pandemic caused many of us to be suddenly thrown into working from home. We are now having to share our workspace with other family members who are also trying to work from home or attend school virtually. This brings about many impacts to our work and our relationships. Let’s find out what we can do to overcome these challenges.

Small Things Matter

Small Things Matter

It’s incredible how much research is coming out on the psychological impact of Covid-19. Today alone, I found twenty new peer-reviewed studies. A helpful study in the Behavior Analysis in Practice offered straightforward advice for successfully dealing with the pandemic's psychological effects. Here are some of the highlights.

COVID Brain?

COVID Brain?

I have had more than one person jokingly say to me, "Please excuse me, I have COVID brain." It seems that they may be right. Recent research in neuroscience seems to indicate that there just may be a "COVID Brain". This study describes how the pandemic changes our brain, both for those who have been infected and those who have not.