Between world pandemics and political events, 2022 has been quick to offer us with many opportunities to stay on our toes – and while browsing our phones and listening to Lo-Fi can be a good quick fix, we’ve all been in need of some more consistent, lasting fixes. Here, we’ve compiled three great, effective ways to destress in these trying times.
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Winter is here! Chilly weather, mocha lattes, and layered outfits are readily at hand. However, with this also comes a rise in depression symptoms compared to the rest of the year[1]. Seasonal Affective Disorder is a mood disorder in which depressive symptoms in a person occur at the same period for them each year, usually during the Winter season, due to the colder weather and decrease in sunlight during the daytime. Depression can be a very difficult illness to cope with, and there’s not usually a clear fix. BUT Easing seasonal depression is not that hard. Here are some of our top-tips you can try to help reduce the symptoms and improve your mood:
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This blog post is adapted from a paper written by UsagiMed’s Lynn Hubbard.
The prolonged uncertainty and anxiety drawn from the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a rise in substance and alcohol abuse, with the CDC reporting in June 2020 that 13% of Americans claim starting substance use as a way of coping with emotional weight related to COVID-19. While COVID-19 cases in the U.S. seem to be dropping, the aftermath of the pandemic still impacts us, especially those struggling with addiction. From closed businesses to lost loved-ones, substance abuse is another far-reaching effect of COVID-19 that has changed lives across the United States.
(more…)January has so far been the deadliest month of the COVID-19 pandemic (US deaths). There’s lots of optimism on the horizon, but we may still yet be “in the woods” for more months. Physical health and safety isn’t the only important thing, mental health is, too. As anime lovers and con-goers, we’ve got a big hammer in our toolbox for this: Comfort TV.
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This piece was co-authored with Jennifer Clark, LMSW.
Ah, the Holidays. The “Silly Season.” I do wonder how much more mad the regular holiday madness will be as we continue to contend with issues of COVID-19 and other global stressors.
Pandemic puts a big magnifying glass on existing stressors. The frustrations that one normally feels–the family stuff, all the feelings of sadness, loneliness, or grief–all of it is likely to feel worse than usual. I’m not telling you this to induce despair. I’m telling you this so you can be ready and rationally know that what you’re feeling is likely normal, and that there’s actually less reason for despair than you want to make yourself believe.
But, the Silly Season being what it is, some of us will simply have a harder time of it than others. Seasonal Affective Disorder may kick in, further complicating things. So here’s what I’m asking you to do:
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by Jennifer Clark, LMSW, and Mickey Desai
So, here we are, social distancing. We are working from home. We are ordering take out. We are staying away from our favorite exhibits, restaurants, and events. If you’re like us, you miss people. And even if you’re just a massive introvert, social contact is still a part of healthy living.
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This post is authored by By Jennifer Clark, LMSW and Mickey Desai.
In Usagi Medical Group’s ongoing series to help you maximize your con-going experience, we’ve compiled a short list of tips and resources that you may find useful if you or someone you know is suffering from some variety of mental-health issues during your con. These issues are not always easy to identify, and may range from anxiety attacks to self-esteem problems, addictions to body-image issues, or even just good old-fashioned depression.
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