Surviving Challenging Times
Lately it seems as if each day brings a new piece of tragic or upsetting news – mass shootings, Roe v Wade being overturned, the ongoing war in Ukraine, the January 6th hearings and the enduring Covid pandemic.
 
In the past several months more than a few clients have said, “It feels like the world is on fire.” We agree. These are absolutely unprecedented and challenging times.
 
So, how do we cope?
 
First, it’s important to acknowledge how upsetting the news is and be honest with ourselves about how we feel about it. Give yourself permission to be angry, sad, frustrated or any other feelings you may have. Vent to those closest to you.
 
Second, while we can all feel helpless at times, it’s critical to remind yourself of the small ways in which you can make a difference -- donating your money or time to causes that are important to you, for example.
 
Third, put a cap on the amount of news you consume. A good rule of thumb is to spend just enough time watching or listening to the news so that you feel informed. That can be as little as 20 minutes a day.
 
Lastly, limit your involvement on social media as it relates to the news. Reading opposing political views, for example, can incite us and lead to a hostile and unproductive back-and-forth.
Tip of the Month
With summer in full swing, plenty of us are taking vacations. Here’s our #1 behavioral health tip while on vacation: Make sure to carve out time for yourself.
 
Just because we’re visiting family or friends we see only occasionally doesn’t mean we should spend every waking minute with them. When we do, we can feel either drained or resentful. All of us need a little down time, some more than others. It’s healthy for everyone when we do.
What We're Reading

By Fredrik Backman
 
Anxious People, a New York Times bestseller, is about a bank robbery and hostage situation gone awry. The novel is sometimes hilarious, other times sad and poignant.
 
Backman does an excellent job uncovering his characters’ insecurities and the desperate attempts they go to overcome them. He's able to show how complete strangers often have more in common than they may think. He’s also a master at dialogue.
 
A prolific Swedish writer, Backman is best known for his 2012 novel A Man Called Ove, which later became a Netflix movie.
What We're Watching

Available on Amazon
 
Ruben is a drummer and recovering addict who plays in a metal band with his girlfriend, Lou. They have their music and each other -- and that’s enough for a happy life for a while.
 
But when Ruben starts losing his hearing, Lou sends him to a rehab center for the deaf. While there, Ruben must choose to either accept his newfound disability or try to reclaim the life he’d always known.
 
The movie is about the hard choices we sometimes have to make and the difficulty of change. The acting is first-rate, particularly Riz Ahmed as Ruben.
What We're Listening To

Hosted by Kevin Majeres, M.D. and Sharif Younes
 
This podcast explores a variety of aspects of mental health, including anxiety and mindfulness, often with a scientific bent. Majeres is a psychiatrist who teaches at Harvard Medical School.
 
One recent episode, entitled ‘A Summer to Remember’, discussed strategies to improve memory and enrich our experiences. Each episode of The Golden Hour is about 30 minutes.
 
Prior to creating their podcast, Majeres, Younes and another colleague started Optimal Work, a Cambridge, Mass., company that “empowers you to achieve greater fulfillment and joy in your work and personal life.”

Available on Apple.
Our Clinical Team
DC Talk Therapy | info@dctalktherapy.com | 202.588.1288 | dctalktherapy.com
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