washing hands with soap

Hand Hygiene

Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from flu, colds, COVID-19, and other illnesses that can be transmitted through contact with people, animals, food, and contaminated surfaces. When you have contact with an infected person or contaminated object and then touch your eyes, nose, or mouth, you could become infected…

Older mother and daughter spending time together at home drinking coffee and discussing

The Second Anniversary of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic will reach its second anniversary in March. This anniversary may bring up difficult memories or feelings. You may experience one or more of these reactions: Disbelief. The last two years may feel like a bad dream. You may wonder if life will ever get back to normal. Time distortion. Two years of…

Unrecognizable single parent spraying hand sanitizer to her little boy's hand. Boy is with face mask.

Psychological Denial and COVID-19

We all use denial on occasion, sometimes to our benefit. Without it, we become too focused on the everyday risks of living in our world, and the anxieties these can generate. However, when it comes to a pandemic, denial is a dangerous thing. A study out of the University of Texas shows that, when we…

Working from home in the era of the new normal: a happy mixed race woman attending an online meeting.

Out of Sorts? Just Smile

Of the many self-care approaches recommended during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of the simplest and most powerful is smiling — or even pretending to smile. A wealth of behavioral science research proves the many benefits of putting on a smile, including: Stress reduction: Smiling reduces stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline. It’s as if a…

Stressed tired healthcare worker sitting on floor

Depression Among Physicians

Prior to the pandemic, the AMA determined the lifetime prevalence of self-reported depression among physicians approximated the general population at 13% of males and 20% of females. Since the pandemic, several studies, including in Frontiers in Psychiatry, found significantly increased rates of depression (73%) among critical care physicians. According to the NIH, pre-pandemic, physicians experienced…

Shot of a psychologist consulting her female client during a therapy session

Speaking With Distressed Peers

According to the CDC, mental illnesses are among the most common health conditions in America, and physicians are not immune. Still, doctors are more reticent to seek mental health care than the general population, in part due to concerns over confidentiality, licensure, job security, and professional image. Some physicians may be more comfortable sharing their…

Surgeon relaxing after operation.

Physician Self-Care

A 2021 Medscape survey found 70% of physicians feel burned out, with 10% considering leaving the profession altogether. This inquiry predated the Omicron surge, which has likely worsened burnout and compassion fatigue. These findings emphasize the need for self-care approaches that are evidence-based and doable despite a lack of free time and energy reserves among…

Shot of a young businessman having a discussion with his colleague in a modern office

Communicating Across Divides

We are living through turbulent times, and political and ideological divisions have intensified in ways that sometimes make civil discourse difficult. Differing views about politics, the best way to handle COVID-19, and racial tensions may drive a wedge between colleagues. Many organizations are grappling with how to keep societal conflicts from poisoning the workplace environment.…

man working at home

Managing Hybrid Teams

Is your team moving from fully remote work to a hybrid model? Having some employees still working from home, while others are back in the office, is becoming a common way of managing the ongoing impact of the pandemic on work, school, and child and elder care. In addition, some organizations have broadened their hiring…

Closeup shot of two unrecognisable people holding hands in comfort

Responding With Empathy After a Loss

On any given day, one or more of your friends or colleagues may be experiencing a loss or other difficult situation, such as a breakup, a loved one’s illness, or learning that a person they knew has died. Sometimes these events will impact the person’s life directly, while in other circumstances, they may be coping…