Mind & Mood Archive

Anxiety in the time of COVID-19

Published November 11, 2021

Mind & Mood

Navigating holiday pressures in the COVID-19 reality

Updated November 9, 2021

The pandemic makes coping with holiday pressures a little tricky. If one is concerned about COVID-19 exposure at a holiday event, it may help to chat with loved ones to get support for a decision about whether to attend. If one must celebrate the holidays alone, it may help to grieve what is lost, savor past holiday gatherings, watch online religious services, and continue to practice special traditions—such as making holiday foods or putting up holiday decorations.

Mind & Mood

Navigating tricky relationships during the holidays

Updated November 8, 2021

Almost everyone has a challenging relationship with someone in their life, and it may be someone you see only once a year. As we anticipate upcoming holiday gatherings, there are ways to prepare to navigate tricky situations and conversations thoughtfully and calmly.

Mind & Mood

A conversation about reducing the harms of social media

Published November 5, 2021

Social media can connect people across the globe, with a potential audience of millions of users. But no matter how many likes a post gets, it can feel like it's not enough, opening users — particularly young people — to potential mental health issues, and raising the question of whether the government should impose regulations on social media companies.

Pediatric health

Wondering about COVID-19 vaccines for children 5 to 11?

Published November 3, 2021

While the FDA has authorized the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, and the CDC recommends it, parents are still likely to have questions about the vaccine and how COVID-19 affects younger children.

Mind & Mood

Can friends who listen help protect your memory and thinking skills?

Published November 1, 2021

A study published online Aug. 16, 2021, by JAMA Network Open suggests that older adults with good listeners in their lives have better thinking skills—despite decreases in brain volume—compared with people who don’t have good listeners in their lives.

Mind & Mood

Too much coffee may raise dementia risk

Published November 1, 2021

Drinking coffee daily can provide a welcomed mental jolt for many people. But new research suggests regular coffee drinkers should stop at five or six cups per day, as drinking more may increase their risk for dementia.

Pediatric health

How to get your child to put away toys

Published November 1, 2021

If you frequently find yourself tripping over your child's toys, then you know the challenges of getting younger children to clean up. Taking a calm, rational approach and issuing clear and specific instructions will enhance your chances of success.