Shrinking It Down: Mental Health Made Simple

When the body is injured, it begins the healing process despite the ongoing physical injury. Our minds should be no different. Right now – amidst a pandemic, economic strain, political tension, rising mental illness, and more – we are desperately in need of emotional healing, despite the many challenges ahead. But communities are divided, families are divided, and fear and anger are rampant. How do we heal from here?

On today’s episode, Dr. Gene Beresin and Dr. Khadijah Booth Watkins think hard about and reflect on how to begin the healing process, for ourselves and the young people in our lives. A fundamental place to start is with our relationships – those in our families, in our communities, and with ourselves. They share ideas to mentally prepare for being mindful of judgement, managing our expectations, focusing on the positive, and fostering kindness. Plus, we have two special guests coming up this podcast season. Tune in for more.

Thank you for joining in this conversation. What’s helped you to begin the healing process during the pandemic? We’d love to know. Write to us!

Media List

Follow along with the conversation.

• Star Wars: Teaser Trailer (Star Wars)
• This Supercute Kid Costume Compilation Has Us Totally Melting (POPSUGAR)
• High Levels of Stress Due to the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic among Parents of Children with and without Chronic Conditions across the USA (Children)
• The Pandemic Parenting Guide: How to Improve Your Child/Teen’s (and Your Own) Emotional Well-Being in Times of COVID-19 (Anxiety and Depression Association of America)
• Managing Family Conflict During Covid (MGH Clay Center)
• Evidence That Conservative Students Really Do Self-Censor (The Atlantic)
• Tips for Practicing Active Listening (Verywell Mind)
• General Mental Health & Coping (Massachusetts General Hospital)
• Parents have never had more reason to drink – or more reasons to avoid it (The Boston Globe)
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT): A Closer Look (MGH Clay Center)
• The Flaw In Our New Year’s Resolutions: A Few Tips for Focusing on the Positive (MGH Clay Center)
• Creativity Gives Our Brains a Boost (MGH Clay Center)
• The Illuminated Collage (MGH Clay Center)
• Bipolar Disorder and the Arts: Mark Vonnegut’s Story (MGH Clay Center)
• When Doing Good Boosts Health, Well-Being (American Psychological Association)
• Why Parents Need Self-Compassion During the Coronavirus Pandemic (Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia)
• “Sage advice from an expert…” (Elizabeth Pinsky, MD on Twitter)  
• Photos of Massachusetts’ first major snowfall of the season (The Boston Globe)

Episode produced by Sara Rattigan

Music by Gene Beresin

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