COVID-19 UPDATE
May is Mental Health Awareness Month: Be Kind to Your Mind

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. This seems particularly significant this year, as we face a variety of issues surrounding COVID-19. We have observed many ways people are dealing with the crisis. Most seem to reach out with compassion and understanding; however, we have also seen others showing signs of stress, grief, and trauma. We may be stressed by family issues, business stressors, and emotional challenges.  
 
David Kessler, co-author with Kubler-Ross, has written a book that added a sixth stage to the stages of grief— meaning . He sees this current period as an opportunity for us to sit with our grief and begin to ask the question: what meaning can we gain from this? What is significant and what can we leave behind?  
 
We have a responsibility to patients, family, and ourselves to be at our best but life will intervene at the most inopportune times. Self-care can be part of a healthy lifestyle when times like these create disruption. In times of uncertainty, we may need to reflect on how we are doing with self-care. 

Will Fernholz, LSCSW, a social worker in Overland Park, KS, has assembled a list of resources that may help us, and our families, navigate an uncertain future with grace and confidence. 

He has found these books to be his favorites:
 
Mindsight by Dr. Dan Siegel 
Radical Acceptance  by Tara Brach 
The Science of Mindfulness  by Ronald Siegel 
The Gifts of Imperfection  by Brene Brown 
Anatomy of the Soul  by Kurt Thompson 
Mindfulness Strategies
 
The Three Rational Questions  

  1. Is my thinking based on fact?  
  2. Does my thinking help me achieve my goals?
  3. Does my thinking help me feel the way I want to feel?  

Three “yes” answers means the thought is rational.   
 
Mindfulness strategies using the questions above may keep us from getting derailed by our emotions. Often, our first response is to allow our emotional brain to dominate. By stopping for a moment and noticing what is happening, we can regain control. We can name the emotion, acknowledge our feeling, then we can choose what would be the best or appropriate response in the situation.  
 
Below is a structure that NASA astronauts have used when in space for more than six months to keep their minds sharp and flexible for their duties and free time. Notice the balance and variety. Regardless of the environment, our minds need to be stretched and exercised in healthy ways so they can respond to the stressful times with clarity and purpose consistent with our life goals.    
The KDA Wellness Committee hopes these resources will be helpful. We welcome your feedback. Thanks again to Mr. Will Fernholz, LSCSW for his assistance.  

Sincerely,


Jim Trotter, DDS, FAGD, FACD 
Chair, KDA Wellness Committee
Kansas Dental Association • 5200 SW Huntoon • Topeka, KS 66604 • 785-272-7360 • ksdental.org