Body Image and Mental Health in the Time of Covid
Each year around June, I notice a smidge of angst rising in a small corner of my mind. The lingering chill of winter in New England is finally fading and, while I am here for it, the rising temperatures come with some baggage. Heat is my #1 trigger for symptoms, both from POTS and MCAS. […]
Who’s Left Behind When “Everyone’s Going to Get COVID”
This Tuesday, President Biden addressed the nation – maskless, and in front of his largest in-person audience in over a year. His message was clear, that we have turned a corner in the pandemic. Even before his speech, the swift rise and fall of the milder Omicron variant changed how many Americans think about the […]
Compassion Fatigue
This morning, my breakfast was interrupted by a family member looking to vent to me about something that had kept him up all night. It was a topic I’d heard about on repeat for weeks. As I looked down at my half-eaten oatmeal, I found I didn’t have any patience or empathy for him. What […]
Masking Up For Omicron
Throughout the pandemic, we have learned to adjust our thinking each time the virus changes or our knowledge grows. Omicron, the newest variant, is significantly more infectious than previous versions of the virus. As such, we wanted to take a minute to check in about the newest guidelines. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and […]
Approaching the New Year With Care
Boy, what a year. I distinctly remember this day, exactly one year ago, when I told my partner “Thank goodness 2022 is over! Here’s to a better year in 2023!” At the time, things were looking up – the wildest, scariest year of wildfires, pandemics, and world-wide chaos seemed to be winding down. I thought, […]
4 Ways to Find Connection From a Distance
Snow has begun to carpet the world outside my home in northern Vermont, and I find myself taking slow, grounding breaths, as if my body is bracing itself. I — like most people I know — am dreading another COVID winter. Despite having one of the highest vaccination rates in the country, my little state […]
Keeping Thanksgiving Accessible
The beauty of holiday traditions is that they give us a structure within which to celebrate. We make the same foods, often with the same people. We share what we are grateful for or swap gifts. We have preset themes for decorating. And, holidays are built to be inclusive, providing entertainment and connection for family […]
Real people sick
My chronic illness friends use the term “real people sick” to refer to illnesses that could affect anyone — regardless of health status — such as a cold, flu, or stomach bug. Often it’s in moments of realization that the illness we experience daily can be so much worse comparatively, like when the whole office […]
4 Tips for a Safe and Accessible Halloween
The air feels crisp and leaves rustle in the wind. Store windows and neighborhood displays remind us that spooky season is here! Seasonal changes and holidays give us the opportunity to slow down, take stock, and come to terms with what is to come. Halloween is a chance to have fun in whimsical ways as […]
Preparing for the Unexpected
Getting organized for daily life can be a challenge. Being prepared for potential unexpected detours — like a trip to the hospital — can feel overwhelming. But now more than ever, it is helpful to have a plan in place, just in case. Hospitals are under strain, and so wait times may be longer and […]
Back to School?
At the start of summer, it seemed I would be writing a joyous “back to school!” blog about the successful reopening of schools for the fall thanks to vaccines and the drastic decline of COVID in most states. Apparently I was not alone in my optimism, as the back to school commercials this year show […]
4 Things We’re Going to Miss about COVID Life
It still feels difficult to believe that we’ve made it to this moment: COVID-19 cases have plummeted, vaccination rates are nearing herd immunity, and restrictions have been lifted! Life can return to pre-pandemic normalcy. Music festivals are back on, restaurants are bustling, and schools are set to open in-person come September. I feel tremendous gratitude […]