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Stress & Wellbeing

By Madison Hanscom, Ph.D.It is an understatement to say things are uncertain right now, and stressors are emerging from multiple directions. Stressors related to the virus itself (Will my loved ones be ok? Will vulnerable populations be ok? Will I be ok?), changes associated with the virus (How will I balance working from home with my children? How will I handle the loss of my job? When can I go back to work? How will I pay my rent this month?). Unemployment is at an all-time high. In the United States alone, 20.5 million jobs were lost in April. This

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By Josh Williams, Ph.D. We are beginning to see early signs of forward progress with COVID-19. Certain drugs designed to improve recovery with this disease are showing promise. In the coming weeks and months, organizations will be opening up their operations beyond virtual connections. Even when it appears work is becoming closer to “normal,” it’s important to remember that many people won’t be. We are dealing with unprecedented levels of stress as people worry about loved ones, job security, and an uncertain future. It is unrealistic to assume that employees will be “back to normal” as operations resume. Stress and fatigue take a powerful,

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By KyoungHee Choi During these uncertain times, it’s not unusual for leaders to experience high levels of pressure and stress. I want to share a simple art therapy exercise that can help you reduce your stress and anxiety as you improve your mindfulness and focus. Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and psychoanalyst described MANDALA art therapy as “a representation of the unconscious self.” So, what is MANDALA art therapy and how can we use it?  What is MANDALA art therapy?  MANDALA art therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which a trained art therapist guides a person through coloring processes using geometric patterns in an

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By Madison Hanscom For many who are still employed, difficult times will bring exhaustion. We are in a time when routines are being completely uprooted. Many individuals are essential workers, which means they are putting themselves and their families at risk by supporting our communities. These workers often are experiencing new responsibilities, changes in work hours, new stressors and sometimes compassion fatigue. Other individuals are now forced to work from home while juggling new responsibilities, caring for children during work hours, and suffering from guilt or tension if there is a dip in productivity. Just because we are living in a stressful

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By Kelly Cave & Madison Hanscom The current coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in increased responsibilities for many people. Citizens are learning how to adjust to a new way of life. This might include learning how to work from home, wearing multiple hats while balancing childcare and work, or the stress of supporting older loved ones. When things get busy, we tend to cut back on sleep. Oftentimes we do this so it feels like we have more hours in the day, and your employees are no exception. The CDC defines insufficient sleep as less than 7 hours of sleep each night.

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By Kelly Cave and Madison Hanscom While the act of social distancing is crucial in reducing the spread of COVID-19, being separated from human contact can have detrimental effects on mental health and overall wellbeing. The reason people struggle with isolation is that humans evolved as social beings. In other words, we form groups and organizations that extend beyond our individual selves and these groups help us survive. When we are deprived of the social interactions we have evolved to become dependent upon, we become socially isolated. Social isolation has been studied by psychologists for decades, and findings are consistent: isolation has

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