Robin Bates-Pualuan, LMFT, LPCC

This article has some meaningful ideas about how to cope with a pandemic winter when we won't have as much access to the outdoors.

Gratitude has big health benefits, both mental and physical, and is something you can easily do today. Especially during these difficult times, it's so good for us to take a few moments to pay attention to the little things we're grateful for.

Created by the Veteran Administration’s National Center for PTSD, COVID Coach is a FREE secure app that helps connect you to important resources for coping and adapting during the pandemic. Customized tools are available to help you cope with stress, stay well, stay safe, stay healthy, stay connected, and navigate parenting, care-giving, and working from home while social distancing, quarantined, or sheltered in place. You can track your mood, visualize your progress, and find resources to seek additional help and support. No account or password is required and user data is not collected. Download for iPhone/iPad: https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id1504705038 Download for Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details

Mindfulness and meditation are wonderful tools for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. If you are currently unemployed, the Headspace mindfulness app is offering a free year of membership!

As the weeks go by the stress of isolating builds. This article has some great ideas about how to maintain realistic optimism even as we struggle with what's happening.