Joann G. Riggio, MFT

You are the most important aspect of self-care. Take a moment to decide how you want to relax and treat yourself. Here are some great questions to get you started: https://bit.ly/2WBleZq

Although a lot has changed during the pandemic, there are still some things we can use as sources of stability. These might be new things we create as part of a new normal, or they might be parts of yourself you hadn't been focused on recently. https://www.psychologytoday.com//resilience-during-tough-t

Anxiety buffers us against being surprised by negative emotions, but a lot of the things it causes us to focus on are unhelpful. One of the ways we can manage anxiety is to think more logically about the worst-case scenarios it keeps pointing us to. https://www.psychologytoday.com//2020/3-ways-stop-worrying

Communicating requires conscious effort and may not come easily to everyone. But if you can agree on a way to express your needs clearly, you'll get better at recognizing your partner's patterns. http://bit.ly/2S24R5X

People are often told to make use of their support networks, but what do you do if you don't feel that you have any? There may be more opportunities to build them than you think. http://bit.ly/2uJjGkM

During the pandemic, everyone's feeling vulnerable. Consequently, we have an unusual opportunity to build deeper relationships with our friends. This article contains some advice on how to get those conversations started. https://www.psychologytoday.com//sharing-vulnerability-sec

Joann Riggio wants to wish you a happy World Mental Health Day!

The pandemic's upset to our routines has made it harder to divide working life and home life. For people who are seeing their spouses in contexts they're not used to, this can be uncomfortable, but it's also an opportunity to strengthen their bonds. https://blogs.psychcentral.com//coping-in-captivity-impro/

There are a lot of tough choices we have to make during the pandemic, and most of us are feeling the strain from that. But there may be ways you can streamline your decision making and reduce fatigue. https://www.psychologytoday.com//six-tips-reduce-covid-dec

If you and your partner have different levels of risk-aversion, it may be hard to feel that you're on the same team. But one skill you might work on is capitalizing on each other's strengths. https://psychcentral.com//simple-strategies-for-handling-/

The pandemic has upset many of our old priorities. But the key to avoid being overwhelmed is still to figure out what you value, and how you can act to fulfill your needs. https://www.psychologytoday.com//5-tips-help-you-deal-when

Better communication will allow you to break out of dysfunctional patterns. But first, you have to be able to identify your needs. https://www.psychologytoday.com//4-steps-solving-your-core

Self-care comes in all shapes and forms. A great way to practice it throughout the day is by taking short breaks to check in with yourself. Try to explore how you're feeling and why. https://bit.ly/2WaydQF