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Patients are waiting 2 months to be seen. Staff members are burning-out as a result of being overworked and repeatedly apologizing to patients who cannot be seen for 4-8 weeks. Disenfranchised populations, children, teens, and older adults are being mistreated by a corrupt system that values profits over patients and

- When you wake up, get a few minutes of direct sunlight (go outside to the balcony, patio or backyard).
- Do a morning stretch for 5 minutes or 5 MIN Workout (50 squats, 30 second planks, 5 pushups, finish with 10 sit-ups).
- If you use caffeinated beverages, consume them before 12

I have struggled with loneliness during the pandemic shelter in-place. Conscientious social distancing, turns into social isolation, which culminates into being alone. It's okay to be alone, but it doesn't feel good to be forced to be alone. The is where loneliness emerges. It is not just me who feels

As a clinical psychologist, working primarily with high school-age teenagers, I have heard first-hand what it has been like to be a student during COVID-19. Boredom, low motivation, apathy, distractions, no structure, minimal parent understanding of tech, difficulty comprehending material offered online without actual in-person instruction, no peer influence motivating

As I write this post, 279,542 people have died from COVID19. Politics and conjecture aside (i.e., whose to blame, cities opening/staying closed, etc.), these are real people, taken suddenly, with grieving families, and lonely deaths. As we approach week #9 of shelter in-place, I am not going to tell you

Arms swings forward (10) and backward (10) to warm-up body.
High Knee walk in-place (20 seconds)
Ten squats
Planks (20 seconds)
Half-Sit Up (20 seconds)
Five Knee on ground Push-Ups
Finish with Jumping Jacks (20 seconds)

PRAY
HOMEWORK
ACTING
READING PLAYS
PLAY WITH SIBLINGS
MAKEUP
WATCHING TV/SHOWS/VIDEOS
HANG OUT WITH FAMILY
WATER
DECORATING BEDROOM
VIDEOGAMING (NO MORE THAN 2 HOURS AT A TIME)
GETTING GOOD SLEEP AT NIGHT
TEXTING/CALLING/SOME SOCIAL MEDIA
EXERCISE
TIK TOK
GET OUTSIDE
CHORES
MUSIC
EATING WELL
THERAPY
DANCE
DOG WALK
JOURNALING
DANCING
BABYSITTING SIBLINGS
ART
PLAY AN INSTRUMENT
SING
MAKE MONEY HELPING PARENTS

The past 3 weeks of shelter in-place,during the coronavirus pandemic, has been filled with fear, anxiety, economic collapse, 100,000+ dead... and resiliency, grace, and tremendous acts of courage demonstrated by first responders, healthcare workers, grocery store clerks, neighbors, and strangers around the globe.

Meanwhile, the kids are all right. That is

DAILY SELF-CARE FOR TEENS
Sleep

9 hours Nightly
Stop using all electronics (TV, computer, phone, etc.) at least 60 minutes before you try to go to sleep.
Read a book or magazine just before going to sleep (to get your mind off the concerns of the day).

Eat

Healthy food at least 3 times/day
Protein in a.m.
Don’t

These are collected wisdoms I gathered from various mentors, friends, and teachers in 2017. I encourage you to write down your own list of wisdoms, lessons learned, and deep truths gathered along your way. They can become the principles upon which you live your life.

1. When the pain begins, Fall