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Five Ways to Stay Connected During Social Distancing
Daniel Hageman
Life can feel uncertain right now, particularly when things seem to be changing so rapidly. Especially if you are used to frequent human interaction, this new reality can create feelings of loneliness, seclusion, and isolation.
Social distancing due to the COVID-19 outbreak has caused many changes to daily routines. Life can feel uncertain right now, particularly when things seem to be changing so rapidly. Especially if you are used to frequent human interaction, this new reality can create feelings of loneliness, seclusion, and isolation. Managing your mental health is important during these uncertain times, and keeping connected to loved ones is an important tool for navigating this new environment. Here are five ways to stay connected to family and friends during social distancing.
During a time like this, many people can feel the impacts of spending time by themselves or with less company than usual. Reach out to the people you care about via text, email, or phone call. Reconnect with a friend or family member you haven't talked to in a while or check in on a friend who might be feeling especially isolated. If you have a family member or friend who is in an at-risk group, check in with how they are doing. Even just saying hello can make someone’s day, and brighten yours as well.
Social media can be a great tool to stay connected, but endless scrolling through social media platforms while social distancing could potentially increase anxiety, worry, and feelings of loneliness. It can help to approach your usage with more intention. One way is to go back to the “social” aspect of “social media.” Rather than getting sucked into scrolling through your entire feed without meaningfully engaging, pick a couple of people you’d like to check in on. Take time to scroll through their posts and leave a few comments.
Video chatting technology is a great way to stay connected with friends and family. Dr. Elizabeth Dorrance Hall explains that “video chat allows us to see the other person’s nonverbal behaviors, which alerts us to their mood and allows for clear, more effective communication. In times where people are socially isolated, rich nonverbal cues can be even more important because they provide a feeling of ‘presence’ that audio-only phone calls lack.” Schedule times to check in with your loved ones and stick to those meeting times. Ask your friends how they are doing, but also don’t feel pressure to talk about the news. Just seeing a friend or family member’s face and talking with them can help bring some sense of normalcy back into our daily routines and help maintain relationships.
Technology is powerful, and there are many different ways it can be used to create connection, even from a physical distance. Watch a movie or TV show at the same time as friends and text each other while you are watching. Have video dinner dates with friends and family. Form a book club or discussion group about a topic you find interesting, and hold your meeting via social media and video-chatting technology. Call or video chat a friend while you are exercising or going on a walk, and schedule virtual exercise sessions with each other.
Since social distancing began, companies have been implementing solutions to provide content and connection for consumers. If there are activities or events that are part of your normal day, looking for digital alternatives will allow you to stay connected to your passions and routine. Stream a live gym class , livestream a concert , or virtually tour a museum. There are increasingly more digital ways to continue every day activities, and doing so can help ease feelings of isolation or unwanted solitude.
The medical information on this site is provided as an information resource only, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. This information is not intended to be patient education, does not create any patient-physician relationship, and should not be used as a substitute for professional diagnosis and treatment.
Always consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition.
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We’ve all heard the common health-related misconceptions or myths-- chocolate causes acne, carrots will improve your night vision, and cracking your knuckles gives you arthritis. Subscribing to these particular myths is relatively harmless, but other health-related misconceptions can have far more serious consequences. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. This is the case for depression—the myths surrounding it can prevent people from getting the help they need. Because untreated depression can have a serious physical and psychological impact, it’s imperative to have the right information in order to make the best decisions for yourself and for your health. Here are 5 common misconceptions about depression, and the facts behind them:
Starting any medical treatment for the first time can leave you with questions, especially if you’re looking forward to the benefits it may bring. It’s no different when you’re preparing for your nasal esketamine treatment. Your previous mental health treatments may have consisted solely of taking antidepressants at home or visiting a therapist’s office for cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), so nasal esketamine is probably a new treatment experience for you. If you're wondering what it's like to start nasal esketamine and get ready for your first session, keep reading. Getting Started with the Nasal Esketamine Treatment As with any new treatment, you’ll first talk to your primary care provider or psychiatrist about whether nasal esketamine is a good fit for you. Alternatively, you can schedule your esketamine nasal spray consultation with a treatment center (such as Greenbrook) that has certification by the FDA’s Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS). At Greenbrook's REMS-certified nasal esketamine treatment centers, our Greenbrook-affiliated psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners will review your medical history and also conduct our own assessment to help determine whether nasal esketamine treatment is right for you. Certain conditions, including blood vessel disease and a history of psychosis, may make treatment a risk for you. Make sure you discuss all previous and present conditions with your doctor or nasal esketamine provider before beginning treatment. If the medication is deemed a good fit, you’ll receive your prescription from the Greenbrook-affiliated provider. Your Greenbrook Care Team will put together a personalized care plan for the weeks and months to follow. Keep in mind that you will need to take a standard (oral) antidepressant along with your nasal esketamine treatment. There are two important regulations to note when it comes to preparing for treatment: Each treatment is followed by a mandatory two-hour observation period. This means you will need to plan to stay at the center for at least two hours following your self-administration of the esketamine nasal spray. You cannot drive during the rest of the day after treatment and must arrange for transportation. These regulations are mandatory. It may be helpful to sit down and plan out several weeks’ worth of transportation once you know your treatment schedule. In addition, if you’re wondering what to bring for the treatment, we recommend entertainment such as an audiobook or playlist of favorite songs and a pair of headphones. You may want them during the two-hour observation period. What to Expect During Nasal Esketamine Treatment On the day of treatment, you’ll need to stop eating any food two hours before your appointment and stop drinking all fluids 30 minutes before you come in. Your Greenbrook Care Team will confirm that you are prepared for the two-hour observation period and that you have a ride home. You’ll get the opportunity to practice using a “trainer sprayer” that mimics the real nasal esketamine sprayer but does not release any medication. The Care Team will encourage you to use the restroom and set up your preferred environment in your private treatment bay or room. Some patients like reduced lighting, for example, while others don’t request light adjustments. You’ll complete a depression scale before each treatment session. Your Greenbrook provider will confirm that the dose kit is yours, show you how to administer it, and then hand it to you. Each sprayer contained 28mg of Spravato esketamine nasal spray. Patients usually start with two sprayers (56mg) and soon increase to 84mg (three sprayers) per treatment. But, your dosage maybe vary. Should you be left with a metallic taste by the spray, the Care Team will offer suckers to help make the flavor dissipate. After your dose, you’ll be encouraged to lie back in your comfortable recliner. While most patients enjoy a quiet setting, Greenbrook is prepared to accommodate patients with a more animated reaction to the medication. You may feel sleepy, dizzy, mildly dissociated, and/or nauseated during treatment. Greenbrook's Care Team is readily available if you need assistance. How to Prepare for after your Nasal Esketamine Treatment Most side effects begin to wane in the second hour of observation, but if you’re wondering, “Is it safe to drive immediately after nasal esketamine treatment?” the answer is a resounding no. In addition to the mandatory ride home, you will need to block off time to rest and let side effects fully dissipate. This extended rest period is especially important in the first weeks of treatment when you’ll have treatment twice a week. Do not drive or operate machinery of any kind until the day after treatment. Just take it easy, relax, and take care of yourself. If you’re unsure what activities you can do or should avoid during this time, talk to your Care Team for more information. While side effects tend to dissipate completely after a good night’s sleep, many nasal esketamine patients begin feeling relief from depression symptoms within hours of their treatment. Other Tips in Preparing for Your Nasal Esketamine Treatment At Greenbrook, we make every effort to schedule your treatment in the afternoons or whenever it is most convenient for you. We encourage you to see each treatment session as an opportunity to relax and take care of your mental health. If you have any questions or concerns, talk to your doctor or the Greenbrook Care Team. At Greenbrook, we’ll help you feel at ease when preparing for each treatment session. Schedule A Free Consultation To get started with nasal esketamine, schedule your free consultation today.
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