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COVID-19

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How to Be Productive When Working From Home

April 22, 2020

Many of my clients were used to working in their office and now have shifted to working 100% from home, which can be quite an adjustment for anyone. Many of my clients have been reporting to me the struggle of staying motivated with their professional life now that they have completely switched their daily routines, and completely have changed their work environment. Some clients were originally working from home even prior to the pandemic and also have…

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Shelter-in-Place Order Expected to Increase Domestic Violence

April 22, 2020

The Coronavirus pandemic impacts individuals in a multitude of ways. Some of us feel relieved not to have to change out of sweatpants for important business meetings. Others feel confined and anxious about what is to come in the near and distant future. For many, we feel a bit of both, but our response to the pandemic elicits anxiety to some degree. Whether we are feeling isolated and alone or in need of space from our family/partner,…

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Combatting Corona with Connection: Why You Should Say Hello to Strangers on the Street

April 22, 2020

Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC For the first time ever, the word Corona means more than a refreshing beer with a lime, that we can drink while bonding and connecting with others. This global pandemic leaves our world in fear of what the future holds. It’s natural for this uncomfortable time of isolation and “social distancing” to feel weird for us, because our brains are wired for connection, not distance. During these trying times, there’s never been…

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Avoiding Cabin Fever During Social Distancing

April 22, 2020

The definition of cabin fever according to The Miriam-Webster Dictionary is “extreme irritability and restlessness from living in isolation or a confined indoor area for a prolonged time.” Cabin fever is something we can experience during a particularly bad snow storm, during a hospital stay, or due to social distancing during this recent COVID-19 outbreak. The good news is, there are many mentally-stimulating activities we can do to help treat our cabin fever during this time.  Turn…

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Sleepless in Self Quarantine

April 22, 2020

Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC  It’s normal to have difficulty sleeping during this unprecedented time of transition and uncertainty. COVID-19 evokes emotions such as fear and anxiety, which clearly have a drastic affect upon our sleep quality and rapid eye movement (REM) cycle. Lately, I have passed along the following suggestions to my clients about how to take better care of yourself by positively influencing your sleep schedule.  Take Time to Wind Down  I recommend establishing a…

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Semester Interrupted: An Interview with an Epidemiology Student (Part II)

April 22, 2020

Megan Mulroy, LPC  Self-isolation and working from home has given me more time to check in on friends and family, which has been great. I’ve been checking in on my cousin, Maria, because she is currently in her last year of her master’s program at Grand Valley State University. She is getting a degree in public health with a concentration in epidemiology. Epidemiology is basically the study and analysis of diseases. Maria has been one of our…

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Semester Interrupted: Finishing Your Academic Year During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Part I)

April 21, 2020

Megan Mulroy, LPC  Within the past month, colleges and universities across America have been forced to move to online learning platforms due to the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19). This brings a number of unparalleled challenges for college students. Graduation ceremonies have already been cancelled, and some are planning on having a virtual ceremony. Student’s licensing exams have been postponed, and students needing internship hours for graduation are left scrambling for ways to get creative to meet their requirements.…

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Quarreling with Quarantine

April 21, 2020

Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC  I know I’m not the only one who is quarreling with quarantine and disappointed and shocked at how 2020 has turned out thus far. Watching people arguing in the grocery store about toilet paper is something I never expected to see. We’ve all been pushed out of our comfort zones –  routines have been interrupted, plans completely destroyed and the whole world feels like it’s turned upside down. We continue to hear…

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Confronting Corona: Mitigating Anxiety

April 21, 2020

Bridgette W. Gottwald, LPC, NCC Feeling anxiety related to coronavirus, also known as COVID-19? Well, it’s safe to say that you’re not alone! There are so many things to be anxious about – catching the virus itself, adjusting to a new routine during quarantine, financial burdens, school closures, cancelled events, and many other things floating around on the media. Anxiety related to this virus has seemingly crossed the line. In order to mitigate your anxiety during this…

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Navigating Stress/Anxiety and COVID-19

April 21, 2020

Uncertainty can be scary and can often increase symptoms of anxiety and stress. The end of this COVID-19 pandemic is not yet in sight, and I have been hearing from a lot of friends, family, and clients that their levels of stress and anxiety have been significantly higher since Chicago went on lockdown. It appears as though people are hoping to find answers to when life will go back to their day to day normal and tend…

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