Dianne Bright's Blog - Posts Tagged "mental-health"
Gratitude
I wake to the sound that excites the average three-to-seven-year-old boy in his flannel PJs. He runs to the front window to check on his favorite big truck making its weekly rounds. Still in bed, I ponder the growing pandemic that shares a name with many people’s favorite beer. You may know it better by the emotions it inspires: FEAR and PANIC. But regardless of social distancing (necessary and smart), the trash guy shows up to empty my three bins out front. His familiar truck is a beacon of hope, reminding me that people are still working hard. THANK YOU to the trash collectors out there who keep our cities clean.
Many have been transitioning to homeschooling and working from home. During the start of this pandemic, my hubby’s contact lens gets stuck in his eye. We try all the tricks, but it still won’t come out. So, I call my optometrist (whose office is close to our house). “I know he’s not one of your patients, but is there any way you could squeeze him in?” I ask. Within the hour, she fits him in. Her assistant removes the unruly lens, and they won’t let him pay a penny. This simple act of kindness reminds me that humans are still good. THANK YOU to the small businesses who keep their calm, even when they could make another buck instead.
With recent UTI symptoms, I know I need an antibiotic. To avoid germs in the medical office, I call my doctor instead. One of the nurses calls me back pronto, offering a tele-visit instead. Within two hours, the medicine I need is called in to my local pharmacy. To anyone who needs medical help quickly, you get why this means a lot. THANK YOU to the nurses and doctors working around the clock to keep us healthy.
Our school district announces we will be off for a few weeks in addition to our regular spring break. A second call reveals it will actually be a few weeks beyond that, based on newer guidelines. Virtual tours, online learning sites, and e-books can keep our young people busy. But it reminds me how much teachers do year-round to provide engaging activities for our kids. THANK YOU to all the teachers who work so diligently to invest in our children.
This person helps and serves without an award or an annual raise. The smiles, laughter, and crumbs on the plates serve as adequate accolades—but with COVID-19, the days feel a little bit longer. Picking up dirty socks and stacking cups into the dishwasher are part of the routine. Cooking meals with whatever is in the pantry gets trickier, but we make it work because it’s who we are. We wear a smile, even when things get tough. THANK YOU to the caregivers who work around the clock, rarely taking a day off.
Members of our society who struggle with mental health issues know this FEAR and PANIC well. It’s nothing new, because it’s a daily part of life. With this new pandemic, these people take a deep breath thinking, “OMG, how will I survive this when my anxiety and depression are already high?” But they stay strong using their mental toolbox; likewise, they keep taking the medication prescribed by their doctor. For people like us, it’s already about taking it one day at a time. THANK YOU to those with mental health disorders who can offer perspective to their neighbors and friends during this difficult time. And THANK YOU to the mental health professionals who help us cope and find gratitude (even on the hard days).
This post is dedicated to my counselor, Michelle, and to my psychiatrist, Dr. S., who have been teaching me to practice daily gratitude.
Dianne Bright is a book author and freelance writer with Reader's Digest and The Healthy. Her parenting book: MOMS KICK BUTT, comes out this summer with CrossLink Pub.
Many have been transitioning to homeschooling and working from home. During the start of this pandemic, my hubby’s contact lens gets stuck in his eye. We try all the tricks, but it still won’t come out. So, I call my optometrist (whose office is close to our house). “I know he’s not one of your patients, but is there any way you could squeeze him in?” I ask. Within the hour, she fits him in. Her assistant removes the unruly lens, and they won’t let him pay a penny. This simple act of kindness reminds me that humans are still good. THANK YOU to the small businesses who keep their calm, even when they could make another buck instead.
With recent UTI symptoms, I know I need an antibiotic. To avoid germs in the medical office, I call my doctor instead. One of the nurses calls me back pronto, offering a tele-visit instead. Within two hours, the medicine I need is called in to my local pharmacy. To anyone who needs medical help quickly, you get why this means a lot. THANK YOU to the nurses and doctors working around the clock to keep us healthy.
Our school district announces we will be off for a few weeks in addition to our regular spring break. A second call reveals it will actually be a few weeks beyond that, based on newer guidelines. Virtual tours, online learning sites, and e-books can keep our young people busy. But it reminds me how much teachers do year-round to provide engaging activities for our kids. THANK YOU to all the teachers who work so diligently to invest in our children.
This person helps and serves without an award or an annual raise. The smiles, laughter, and crumbs on the plates serve as adequate accolades—but with COVID-19, the days feel a little bit longer. Picking up dirty socks and stacking cups into the dishwasher are part of the routine. Cooking meals with whatever is in the pantry gets trickier, but we make it work because it’s who we are. We wear a smile, even when things get tough. THANK YOU to the caregivers who work around the clock, rarely taking a day off.
Members of our society who struggle with mental health issues know this FEAR and PANIC well. It’s nothing new, because it’s a daily part of life. With this new pandemic, these people take a deep breath thinking, “OMG, how will I survive this when my anxiety and depression are already high?” But they stay strong using their mental toolbox; likewise, they keep taking the medication prescribed by their doctor. For people like us, it’s already about taking it one day at a time. THANK YOU to those with mental health disorders who can offer perspective to their neighbors and friends during this difficult time. And THANK YOU to the mental health professionals who help us cope and find gratitude (even on the hard days).
This post is dedicated to my counselor, Michelle, and to my psychiatrist, Dr. S., who have been teaching me to practice daily gratitude.
Dianne Bright is a book author and freelance writer with Reader's Digest and The Healthy. Her parenting book: MOMS KICK BUTT, comes out this summer with CrossLink Pub.
Heading into Fall
It's that time of year when PSL this-and-that are all the buzz. A cool breeze accompanies most people in the evenings now (just not where I'm writing from in so-Cal). ;)
We get excited about baking, and even those on special diets can get almond flour or use oat milk or cashew butter. There are almost too many recipes to take on--between Pinterest, Tasty, and all the other fun food sites, we might even end up overwhelmed simply screening on the couch. This can be especially true for writers (who get in our heads)--full of our sticky notes and to-do lists.
Because of COVID, it's particularly important to set up a list of ways to connect with others during the holidays. We sometimes wear a badge of honor that says, "No really, I'm fine. I've got this."
But it doesn't have to be that way. With the air getting colder and the coffees and teas abounding, why don't you grab your mask and invite a friend out for a warm drink? You can sit six feet apart out on the patio if you want to, and you can pack your hand sanitizer, just in case.
The important part is actually making human contact instead of just scrolling about your social group on social media. Or texting. Or emailing. The truth is, we get so tech-centered, that we can forget what it feels like to be social around other people (anyone remember the Net with Sandra Bullock?).
On this last day of September, I who struggle personally with mental health issues, would be amiss not to challenge you to focus on your head-space as well. Part of that health check-up involves going outside your comfort zone. All that means is taking the first step to initiate plans with a friend or asking a neighbor to go walking. You could even bake cookies for your kid's teacher or a colleague at work.
Just make sure to go into the fall without falling down too hard mentally. Part of that means plotting out the weeks ahead now, while the leaves are still on the trees. Keep it simple. But get it onto the calendar.
We get excited about baking, and even those on special diets can get almond flour or use oat milk or cashew butter. There are almost too many recipes to take on--between Pinterest, Tasty, and all the other fun food sites, we might even end up overwhelmed simply screening on the couch. This can be especially true for writers (who get in our heads)--full of our sticky notes and to-do lists.
Because of COVID, it's particularly important to set up a list of ways to connect with others during the holidays. We sometimes wear a badge of honor that says, "No really, I'm fine. I've got this."
But it doesn't have to be that way. With the air getting colder and the coffees and teas abounding, why don't you grab your mask and invite a friend out for a warm drink? You can sit six feet apart out on the patio if you want to, and you can pack your hand sanitizer, just in case.
The important part is actually making human contact instead of just scrolling about your social group on social media. Or texting. Or emailing. The truth is, we get so tech-centered, that we can forget what it feels like to be social around other people (anyone remember the Net with Sandra Bullock?).
On this last day of September, I who struggle personally with mental health issues, would be amiss not to challenge you to focus on your head-space as well. Part of that health check-up involves going outside your comfort zone. All that means is taking the first step to initiate plans with a friend or asking a neighbor to go walking. You could even bake cookies for your kid's teacher or a colleague at work.
Just make sure to go into the fall without falling down too hard mentally. Part of that means plotting out the weeks ahead now, while the leaves are still on the trees. Keep it simple. But get it onto the calendar.
