Tag Archives: covid19

Pandemic Within a Pandemic

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Readers,

February is here already. Yikes! Can we talk about mental health for a bit? Almost two years into the pandemic, we know someone who either contracted the disease, or died from it. Another troubling trend, is the urgent need for mental health support. Millions are now coping with increased anxiety, depression, panic attacks, PTSD, insomnia, stress eating, loneliness, paranoia..etc. I believe we are in the middle of a pandemic within a pandemic. Sadly, some saw no way out, and took their own lives. The past two years have been TOUGH. 

A few days ago here in NYC, media outlets broke news which quickly spread; Miss USA 2019, Chelsie Krist jumped to her death. She made history, part of a trio of black beauty pageant winners, who for the first time, held the titles of Ms USA, Teen USA, and America. Just about every comment echoed the same sentiments “ No one saw this coming. She looked like she had it all. A Lawyer who fought for reform, mental health advocate, and successful television personality, heartbreaking”.

The thing is, we need to stop judging others on appearances. That strong friend who never complains, constantly smiling, appears happy is most likely the one silently asking us to check in on them. My blog’s content calendar was planned before this tragic news broke. You can expect the next few months to be all things mental health. 

Most of my clients are anxious about the future. Best laid plans have been shattered. I have bouts of anxiety too. To help them, I’ve had to quickly shift and pivot. I cannot pour from an empty cup. What issue in your life has been amplified because of COVID? I can only imagine your list has gotten longer. We may not know each other personally, but I understand where we are. Over the next few months, when you visit this page, you can expect to find mental health related posts, hoping to be a source of light as we work our way through uncertainty. 

A bit about my background. I have spent the past 5+ years working with the homeless and formerly homeless, on the grimy streets of NYC. My clients struggle with persistent mental health disorders, some have a history of suicide attempts, drug addictions, in patient psychiatric hospitalizations, etc. The job is not easy. In 2011, I graduated from the University of Essex UK, with an MSc in Psychology. Barry University in Florida, provided the background with a BSc in the same field.

I am also a Reiki Master. I continue to  actively seek out other mental health related certifications. When I lived in Miami, I worked in the medical field for about six years. I won’t always get things right. The upcoming posts  are not meant to treat or diagnose from behind a computer screen, simply to share my knowledge, experience, and guidance.  Always follow the advice of your medical and mental health providers.

We will begin with anxiety. Hope to see you soon.

To Your Success,
Juan

WFH- Now What?

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Over the past month, I’ve had several conversations with friends and colleagues alike, struggling to cope with the transition of working from home. I thought I’d use the next few weeks to share what I hope is helpful information to help anyone who might be struggling too. Look out for posts related to time management, dealing with distractions,  working with children, staying connected,  etc. If you have additional insights, please leave a comment below, or share this post with anyone who will find it helpful.

So, you are forced to work from home due to the global coronavirus crisis? The initial joy of being able to work from home can be quickly replaced by worry, a lack of motivation, and never-ending distractions. How on earth do you get things done when there are so many distractions? Working from home has both benefits and challenges. Below you will discover some useful tips you can follow when it comes to transitioning to working from home.

Set up a quiet working space
With all of the distractions at home, it can be really hard to concentrate on work. This is especially true if you have kids. So, if you want to ensure you can get things done in peace, it’s worth setting up a quiet working space. Try and use a room that isn’t frequently used during the day. Place a sign on the door when you’re trying to work, to let others know not to disturb you. Make sure the workspace is comfortable too as you won’t get a lot done if you aren’t comfortable.

Start as early as possible
One of the main challenges that can come from working from home is delaying the time you usually start. It’s very tempting to have a lie-in and take longer to relax in the morning before starting. However, this only zaps your productivity. If you want to ensure you stay productive, you’ll want to start as early as possible. The positive side to this is that the earlier you start, the earlier you’ll finish.

Set social media limits
You’ll have a lot more time to check in on social media when you haven’t got the boss breathing down your neck. However, it’s easy to waste hours using social media accounts if you aren’t careful. Many home workers find it useful to set limits on their social media use during working hours. It could be simply committing to using it during a specific time for example. Having limits in place makes you more aware of how much you’re using it.

Maintain your usual “get ready” routine
It’s really important to try and maintain your usual routine. This means, getting ready for work in the same way you usually do. So, wake up at the same time, have your usual cup of coffee, and get dressed in your work clothes. It’s amazing how much of a difference this can make to your productivity.

These are just a few tips you can follow when transitioning to working from home. It can be a big adjustment, but there are many helpful tools and tips. Trying to maintain your usual routine, is one of the best things you can do during these challenging times. Next up, setting up the office.

See you in a few days,

Best,
Juan 

#disasterpreparedness

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As a Social Work Contractor in one of the largest cities in the world, and the epicenter of the COVID pandemic in the USA, the last few weeks have presented unique challenges. I am responsible for more than 30 clients, each with either multiple addictions or comorbid mental health disorders. On a daily basis, I am literally putting out fires. While most of my client’s income is secured (Social Security, pension, etc), a few are self-employed, and now find themselves without an income

The IC has lost their primary sources of income, and with unemployment, website not built for millions of claims, needless to say, the backlog of claims processing has left some in “humbling” circumstances. Over the past year, I have been trying to get my clients to create an emergency fund, regardless of how much money they bring in. While this is not in my job description, I have been there, unprepared for when a disaster hits. A disaster doesn’t necessarily mean a pandemic, but differs for each of us; job loss, divorce, accident etc. How would most of us survive? Do we have at least 3-6 months of expenses stashed away? For many, the answer is “No”. 

Unless you are a seasoned doomsday prepper, the current pandemic affecting our society may have caught you by complete surprise! Although this crisis is certainly a tragedy and should be treated as such, it should serve as a wake-up call that you need to plan for similar incidents in the future. Unfortunately, we have seen a large number of the population react to the pandemic, in extreme ways, and in some instances, even harmful to other individuals. Purchasing items in excess, and flooding the supermarkets has become normal.

Because of this trend, individuals who may need these resources far more than most, or have trouble accessing them, are suffering the most. In this post, I will address some sensible strategies, which address the current climate, as well as ensuring a future crisis doesn’t leave you unprepared and feeling hopeless.

Quality Over Quantity When Shopping
While there are some items that are essential to buy in bulk, such as toilet paper and basic medication, others can be purchased in moderation and still leave you prepared. When stocking up on food items for an emergency, focus on buying items with a long shelf life, and provide a large number of calories. In regard to water, it is certainly wise to have a stockpile of bottled water or gallon containers. However, you may want to look into some form of water filtration system. These devices are readily available and essentially provide an endless supply of drinkable water should your stash run low.

Maintaining An Emergency Fund
This tip applies to everyday life; you should always have some sort of nest egg available for unplanned expenses, such as a medical emergency or vehicle trouble. In this case of a pandemic, having an emergency fund becomes even more crucial. Consider the millions of individuals currently out of work and not receiving a steady flow of income. Having currency allocated to a situation such as the current crisis is absolutely essential.

Consider A Second Job/Side Hustle
Having worked with the homeless and formerly homeless for more than five years, I know the majority of us are one paycheck away from homelessness. No one anticipates losing their home, but it happens more often than you know! Do you have extra hours to earn a side income? What are your talents? Can you get paid to do something you love? You can use the extra money to build your emergency fund, pay off debt, go on a well-deserved vacation, invest, or save! A reputable site I have used and recommend, especially if you live in the US is Rat Race Rebellion. Currently, the US has more than 330 million people, by next month, experts estimate more than 20% of people will be unemployed-this should sober you up.

Establishing A Plan
Establishing a well-organized plan for you and your family is not something to do, in the middle of an emergency. Although it can seem quite excessive in the flow of everyday normal life, it is important you plan and discuss with your family exactly what to do, before the emergency happens. Be sure to cover the basics; where you will go, resources available, and what each person’s role will be.

Maintaining Communication
Most of us take for granted the ability to maintain communication with friends and family. We assume our smartphones, computers, and televisions will always available. However, during emergency situations, where electricity and wireless connectivity are eliminated, it is important to have a plan, for maintaining the use of these devices. Consider investing in essentials like solar-powered chargers, a generator, and rechargeable batteries.

Basic Emergency Skills
An important thing to consider when preparing for a crisis is how to minimize the damage. A gas leak or electrical issue in your household can quickly become life-threatening during a natural disaster. Do you know how to shut off certain appliances and valves around the house? Furthermore, the ability to help someone in danger using basic CPR skills can be invaluable. Once again, these things are easy to disregard in everyday life but can become critically important very quickly.

Avoiding Panic
It is a known fact that human beings do not think clearly in a panicked state. We see examples of this behavior in every crisis situation. When disaster strikes, being prepared is the best way to avoid panic. If you and your family have already discussed a well-established plan, you can eliminate rash decisions that can take a long time to rectify. It is a stressful time for many. If you have not done so yet, check out my last post for timely Resources to combat anxiety.  While these suggestions are not exhaustive, they will guide your efforts to be better prepared.

Until next week,

Best,
Juan

Dealing With Anxiety In Turbulent Times

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Dear Readers,
How are you keeping during these turbulent times?! Parents with children being homeschooled, it’s even more difficult to balance work and home life. My followers diagnosed with PTSD, Depression, Anxiety, etc, have you found it even more difficult to combat the triggers of your mental illness? Many of you are divorced, separated, with no children at home, how do you spend your time? There are so many questions!

Yes, these are very uncertain times. Uncertainty rules the day, and the unknown is more distressing than anything else. Two months ago, our lives changed, dramatically. I live in NYC, the epicenter of COVID-19 in the United States. I was stunned by the level of death and destruction around me. After experiencing multiple symptoms for almost a month, I was finally able to get tested. Negative! I am fortunate, I know, and I hope the result is true. I was told to “power through my symptoms” some of which still persist today.

Three of my clients were directly impacted by COVID; one lost a mother, another a cousin, and the other was hospitalized for several days. I currently work at home, so for the past month, I have been putting out several fires, which is mostly the reason for my absence here. NYC is made up of strong, tough people.  The 9/11 terrorist attacks, Hurricane Sandy, multiple airplane crashes, etc has not weakened the resolve to keep fighting.  I expect us all to come through on the other side. Hundreds continue to die every day, but, the situation has stabilized; field hospitals being taken down, the NAVY Comfort has left, hospitalization rates have decreased, and we are finally “flattening the curve”. 

Six out of seven continents have been affected by COVID-19. Besides the normal day to day hustle, and immense stress of daily living, we now have a pandemic to contend with. Today’s post will hopefully provide support on the panic affecting so many. Anxiety is not necessarily a new phenomenon, however, with all that is happening, it will only exacerbate the issue. We are so connected through the internet, social media, and other outlets, not only are we exposed to the issues in our immediate communities but across the entire globe. Furthermore, with so many working from home, or in some cases, those working on the frontlines, we are expected to juggle growing responsibilities simultaneously and remain productive. Anxiety varies in intensity and frequency, please use the following suggestions, and resources to improve your overall quality of life.

Live In The Moment
The only point in time in which you will EVER exist is right now. Ironically, most of us dedicate the bulk of our mental energy to the past or future. Anxiety often tricks us into replaying past mistakes in our heads over and over and worry about things that have not happened yet. A big part of dealing with anxiety is to live in the moment. This means focusing all of your physical and mental energy on what is going on right now. Not only does this simplify life, but it also allows you to get the most out of your limited time. Trying to deal with your entire past and future on a constant basis makes it virtually impossible to appreciate what is right in front of you. Over the years, Mindfulness and Meditation have helped to turn things around for me and completely changed my life. First I had to know who I am. Pick up a copy of this book Discover My Life’s Purpose. Doing so helped me to remain focused on the present moment. I was no longer worried about where I stood in comparison to others. My path was my own, and it did not matter if others agreed. they don’t have to! Learn how to. You too can learn how to  Enhance Your Life With Mindfulness.

Control What You Can Control
The truth is, many of the issues causing anxiety in your life are beyond your control. This includes global and community issues, as well as problems in your personal life. What you need to realize is that the weight of the world is NOT on your shoulders, even though it can certainly so at times. Anxiety tells you to worry about solving problems that are out of your hands. In reality, focusing on the issues that you actually have the ability to resolve is a much healthier response. Awareness is the key to conquering fear created by the ego, which leads to anxiety. Once you’re aware of how your ego is creating fear and anxiety, then you can observe it, and learn to shape it. You have the power to stop the fear in your mind. It’s important to remember that all the negative scenarios in your head don’t have to happen in real life. They can stay as imaginary issues. They may never materialize or cause you heartache. You can control how you respond to challenges.
Yes, we are tired of Netflix and Chill, homeschooling, puzzles, and games, but there is so much more you can do, being stuck indoors. Learn how to create a family website, make a family movie, coding, create a film festival, go on a virtual field trip, etc. Take a look at this invaluable list I put together, with direct resource links in Ultimate Guide To Indoor Fun

It’s Okay To Not Feel Okay
Another side effect of anxiety is a feeling of isolation and loneliness. People experiencing anxiety on a routine basis, often believe they are the only ones dealing with the issue. Everyone else is much happier, and no one will accept us if they knew the extent of our anxiety. It is so important to realize, this is far from the truth. Everyone around you is experiencing some degree of anxiety and fear of the future. You are far from alone. Don’t feel like you have to go through life acting as if everything is okay when it isn’t. Recognize the feelings, accept them, embrace, and challenge them. Maya Angelou said ” We are more alike, than we are different”

Get Help If You Need It
Finally, if your anxiety is something you are having trouble dealing with on your own, then don’t! There is absolutely nothing wrong with seeking professional help. Ironically, our society welcomes getting help for even minor ailments but shuns the same approach for serious mental issues. Consider this, if you had Pneumonia or another physical illness, you would seek the appropriate doctor for care. Why would you not do the same, if you are suffering from mental health issues, such as anxiety? There is help out there, get it if you need it! I have been blown away by the more than 100k medical and mental health professionals, who came to the aid of New Yorkers!

We can and will get through this. We are better together.

Until Next Week,
Best,
Juan