Work work work work work.

Due to the pandemic, more people are working from home than ever before. According to Stanford.edu, from June 2020, about 42% of the US workforce is now working from home. With many schools being completely virtual now, being able to work from home is a privilege for some while may be difficult on mental health and relationships for others.  

Many people are suffering from "Zoom Fatigue" due to the constant virtual meetings for not only themselves but their children as well. In order to cope with this, it is important to stay organized and to find a life balance. An article from USA Today from May 2020 says that "having an outline of your responsibilities will guide your actions through the day and leave you with a sense of accomplishment when you are ready to 'clock out.'" 

When being cooped up in one place for a long period of time, it is important to have mindfulness too. Be aware of not just your feelings, but check in with your other housemates to make sure everyone is doing ok. 

Helpful Links:

• Stanford research provides a snapshot of a new working-from-home economy
• Working from home during the coronavirus pandemic: How to cope
• Employees: How to Cope with Job Stress and Build Resilience During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Winter Safety!

 You can never be too careful during the wintertime!

As Ohio wades its way through the winter, we are in a constant state of not knowing whether or not to bunker down for snow or prepare to wear socks with sandals in 55-degree weather! Because the forecast is constantly changing, it is important to know how to handle any conditions that may be thrown our way. 

Some of the weather conditions we may experience between now and the spring include snow and ice storms, low temperatures, and the early sunset due to daylight savings time. Be sure to plan your outdoor activities accordingly ie; wearing reflective gear when outside at night or dusk, dressing in layers, and giving your car ample time to warm up.

Helpful Links:

• Be Prepared to Stay Safe and Healthy in Winter
• Winter Safety Tips
• Winter Weather: Plan. Equip. Train.
  
  

Every dog has its day!

During the pandemic, pet adoption has risen exponentially. According to the ASPCA, an estimated 3 million shelter animals were adopted last year. As more and more people were sheltering in place, people were wanting companions due to the lack of human interaction. Being home more and more can feel very isolating and take a toll on one's mental health. 

In an article by the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), they discuss how dogs can contribute to your happiness in several ways. Dogs (or pets in general) can help you become more social (ie; taking your dog to dog parks, walks, and aiding in conversation with new people). Pets can help you get exercise too as many dogs need to be walked quite a bit! Also, having a pet causes you to have a sense of responsibility. Just like a human, pets need to be fed, they need to be interacted with to reduce boredom and they need love in order to survive.

For more information on pet adoption and how animals can have a positive impact on your well being, check out these links:

• Rescue Animals Are TIME's 2020 Pet of the Year
• How Dogs Can Help with Depression
• ‘Dogs have a magic effect’: how pets can improve our mental health
• ASPCA - Adopt a pet!

New Year | New You | Same Virus

With every January 1st, people all over the world make promises to themselves to "do better" for the new year. As the global pandemic continues onward in society, it can be hard to find motivation, reasoning, and ideas for what to do to make this year better than the last. Don't let these things deter you from being the best you. You can still be very active and productive while socially distancing, masking up, and keeping your overall health and safety in check. 

Whether you are wanting to get healthier this year, learn a new skill or trade, or even just get things done that you have been putting off for years - NOW IS THE TIME! Ideas for things you could "resolve" to do include but are not limited to:

• Run a Virtual Marathon, Gone for a Run offers some fun ones!
• Invite a friend to compete virtually for extra motivation. 
• Not into running? Track your fitness on Achievement for rewards!
• Organize your home. These stickers can help you do it in a digital way.
• Learn something New! Udemy and Coursera offer some excellent courses. 
• Reach out to friends/family you haven't talked to in a while and plan something to do regularly.

Whatever you resolve to do, you will be destined for greatness once you take that first step towards something.