Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year's ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica. The pope appeared relaxed as he stood at a lectern in the Apostolic Palace wishing the faithful watching via video "a year of peace, a year of hope." He smiled into the camera as he repeated his customary sign-off, "don't forget to pray for me," and wishing everyone "a good lunch." The papal blessing was moved inside from the usual perch at a window overlooking St. Peter's Square to discourage crowds as Italy is living under tighter covid-19 restrictions this year. The Vatican on Friday announced that the pope would not preside over a New Year's Eve prayer service nor the New Year's Day Mass in St. Peter's Basilica because of "painful sciatica." In his Angelus blessing, the pope said "the pandemic taught us how much it is necessary to take interest in others' problems and to share their concerns." In a similar vein, in a homily prepared for delivery by the pope but instead read by his secretary of state earlier Saturday, Francis wrote that there is need of a "vaccine for the heart. This vaccine is the cure. It will be a good year if we take care of others." At the conclusion of the Angelus, the pope called for peace in Yemen, where children are living "without education, without medicine, hungry," and for the release of the Rev. Moses Chikwe, a Nigerian bishop who was kidnapped Sunday by gunmen.

Chrissy Teigen, who has recently been vocal about her sobriety, has taken to social media to explain her decision to quit drinking. In an Instagram post, the model and cookbook author recommended Holly Whitaker's self-help book, "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol," and opened up about her past drinking habits. In December, in a video showing off some sparkly makeup accessories and matching Christmas-light headbands with her and John Legend's daughter, Luna, Teigen briefly mentioned that she had stopped drinking. "I was done with making an a * * of myself in front of people (I'm still embarrassed), tired of day drinking and feeling like s * * * by 6, not being able to sleep. I have been sober ever since and even if you can't see yourself doing it or just plain don't want to, it is still an incredible read." The "Cravings" author, who is known for documenting online much of her life, has been especially open this year about her struggles. In September, Teigen, 35, revealed she had endured a pregnancy loss in a heartbreaking post that captured the attention and admiration of many, who applauded her for confronting the stigma surrounding pregnancy complications.

Chrissy Teigen arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

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Names and faces - Arkansas Online

The unread story is worthless until the reader gives it life, to paraphrase science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin.

The author of the Left Hand of Darkness and so many more is right. Herald readers give us life. You push us to dig deeper and tell it like it is. As one of our old billboards once read, If you want it sugar coated, buy a donut.

Heres what you read the most in 2020, based on page views. Its an inexact metric, but I think youll see a trend: your favorites arent glazed, frosted or sprinkled with jimmies:

1.) Tom Brady-Bill Belichick phone call didnt go well: The coach and the QB have finally spoken, Herald NFL columnist Karen Guregian reported in early March. Their conversation about Bradys pending free agency didnt go well, per a source. Id say.

2.) Vitamin D can help reduce coronavirus risk by 54%: BU doctor says: This one is still soaring. Our health reporter Alexi Cohan dug up this medical self-help bulletin. We all want to avoid COVID-19 like the plague, isnt that the truth. This doc swears by vitamin D.

3.) Coronavirus masks: Whats the difference between N95 and KN95?: Another example of the Herald digging for answers when you need them fast. Multimedia reporter Meghan Ottolini has the answer. (Hint: N95s are better, but Id take either one.)

4.) Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski to Buccaneers for 4th-round pick: Lets be honest Brady and Gronk is synonymous with John and Yoko, Meghan and Harry, Beyonce and Jay Z. The Bucs made the playoffs, the Patriots didnt. Here Karen Guregian had the scoop, again.

5.) Herald editorials hit a nerve: Disinformation from Adam Schiff and the media damaged America (Russian collusion) and Herald endorses President Trump both filled up our inbox.

6.) Noreaster could slam Massachusetts, dumping more than a foot: Nothing like a December blizzard during a pandemic to get some attention. Reporter Rick Sobey warned an unseasonably balmy weekend would soon be flipped.

7.) When will we find out the presidential election results?: Election Day turned into Election Week then Election Month and reporters Lisa Kashinsky and Sean Philip Cotter had it covered. Its not official until this Wednesday, Jan. 6.

8.) UMass Boston student first confirmed case of coronavirus in Massachusetts: I wish I never had to co-write this one. But a student back from Wuhan, China, came down with coronavirus. That was Feb. 1. You know the rest.

9.) Columnist Howie Carrs one-two punch: Howie hit on two viral columns on how Joe Biden continues to lose his notes and mind, and Charlie Baker cant admit he blew it over deaths at nursing homes.

10). NASA: Massive asteroid close call due Saturday, but wont be hitting Earth: If it was going to happen, this would have been the year. Reporter Sean Philip Cotter got our attention with this one.

11.) Trust the man, Joe Biden is going to beat Joe Biden: Howie Carr strikes again with these: Live, from the basement, its Joe Biden and Its a crime you havent heard about Hunter Biden.

12.) Charlie Baker issues Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory, business curfews, mask mandate: Our new normal and reporter Erin Tiernan had it covered.

13.) Sick passenger taken off Beijing-Boston flight at Logan Airport, refuses transport: I co-authored this Jan. 29. If only we could go back in time.

14.) 14 states side with New Hampshire in tax suit against Massachusetts: Wait until taxes are due. Reporter Sean Philip Cotter has the early warning.

15.) Could Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo trade places? Dont discount the 49ers buzz: It fizzled, but Karen Guregian had fun with this anyway.

16.) President Trump ordered the strike, and came down to dinner cool, collected: Scenes from Mar-a-Lago by Howie Carr.

17.) Trump signs coronavirus relief bill, still pushes for $2,000 stimulus checks: Reporter Rick Sobey had all the details others were slow to report.

18.) Fear and loathing in the Biden Crime Family: Count on Howie Carr to keep an eye on Biden and Co.

19.) Poll: Who do you think won the first 2020 presidential debate?: This took off like a rocket. Guess who you voted for?

20.) Americans would get two checks under proposed coronavirus stimulus package: Reporter Rick Sobey has been glued to the stimulus story. Well keep it up in 2021. Its what readers demand.

Editors Choice: The Feb. 26-27 Biogen managers conference in Boston, a superspreader event said to be the source of 300,000 COVID-19 infections, remains a major story.

Joe Dwinell is the Heralds senior editor.

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The Boston Heralds Top 20 stories of 2020 - Boston Herald

We all talk out loud to ourselves at some time or another.

Where did I put my key?

Or, to our dog: Good boy. Or in our car: That driver is crazy!

Or in the shower, singing a tune.

As a therapist sitting at my computer doing Zoom calls with clients, I began to think about how self talk out loud could keep us company, motivate us, coach us, help us focus better, maintain our memory and lessen our anxiety.

Heres how:

Keep us company: If we have a life partner, he or she is a witness to our life. Its nice when we can share our hurt or joy with that person. Sunsets are brighter and grief seems more real when we are holding hands with our partner.

However, if we live alone, we are the only witnesses to our lives. And that can get lonely, particularly during this awful pandemic when we are not being hugged or touched. It seems to me that the next best thing is to talk out loud at times in a kind and compassionate way.

For example, Sally lives in D.C. in an apartment and is usually upbeat and friendly. But lately with the surge, she screams inside for real companionship not on Zoom or phone.

So, she tried talking out loud, saying things like, Now, Im going to get back to my book, find that wonderful afghan and pour myself some tea.

Motivate us: Lea doesnt feel like getting up in the morning. Before the pandemic, she popped out of bed and drove to exercise class. Now, she does not want to exercise on Zoom; its just not the same.

So, she began to talk out loud every morning and say, After my shower, Im going to have a light breakfast, put on my mask and heavy coat, and walk a mile at 10:00. Then Im going to go to my white board and write down what I want to do the rest of the day.

This helps because she has made an out-loud commitment to herself.

Coach us: Ruth doesnt look forward to biking, particularly uphill. So, on the bike, she says out loud, Come on, Ruth. You only have two more hills and then you have a cup of cocoa waiting for you at home with a small piece of breakfast cake. You can do it.

Help us focus better: Many of our clients get distracted at times and might end the day with a feeling of not having accomplished much.

If you are talking out loud, then you are shutting out the noise of your internal distracting thoughts. Clients report that this is a very useful tool.

Steve wants to work on his bills for two hours, but never seems to get there, distracted by many less important tasks.

But when he says out loud, Im going right to my home office, pour myself some coffee, and work from 9 to 11 on my bills; nothing will get in my way, he commits to his plan out loud. When he feels hes getting distracted, he just talks out loud again.

Maintain our memory: Probably all of us have forgotten words, names of acquaintances, what we were looking for, or even the three upcoming segments on 60 Minutes.

Out loud, you can say, I am going downstairs to get that screwdriver or I am going to the fridge to look for that horseradish.

Again, it is hard to distract yourself with other thoughts if you are listening to your directive out loud. Some of us just remember better when we hear whats on our minds than when we just silently think about it.

Lessen our anxiety: Many of us have experienced heightened anxiety during the pandemic and perhaps chronic lower-level anxiety the rest of the time. If we talk to ourselves like a good mother or father or other nurturing person, we can be soothed.

For instance, you have been on hold for 45 minutes trying to dispute a credit card charge. You are irritated and angry.

So that your mood doesnt stay with you all day, you might try saying out loud, That was a terrible waste of time. Now, I am going to do my treadmill and watch The Crown on TV. Then, Im going to prepare a nice dinner for myself.

Now, some of you might say: Great, but only crazy people talk to themselves.

The truth is, we all talk to ourselves. Doing so out loud is a big step in self care.

Barbara Kane is the founder and owner of Aging Network Services LLC in Bethesda and a practicing psychotherapist.

***

Editors note: Bethesda Beat encourages readers to send us their thoughts about local topics we have covered for consideration as a letter to the editor or op-ed piece in our Saturday newsletter. Email them to editorial@bethesdamagazine.com. Here are our guidelines. We require a name and hometown for publication. We also require a phone number (not for publication) for us to verify who wrote the letter. Please provide a source for any facts in your letter that were not part of our coverage; if they cant be verified, they likely will be omitted.

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Opinion: There's power in the spoken word, even if no one else hears - BethesdaMagazine.com

Written by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira on January 2, 2021 Fact checked by Mary Cooke, Ph.D.

Results from the ACTT-2 trial reveal that baricitinib combined with remdesivir reduced the recovery time of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 8 to 7 days. The reduced recovery time was even more significant in patients requiring oxygen or ventilation.

As the world rejoiced over the promising results from several COVID-19 vaccine candidates, the United States set a new record of 300,000 coronavirus deaths. This was a stark reminder that some people cannot wait for a vaccine next spring.

The ACTT-2 clinical trial recently investigated the use of both remdesivir and baricitinib, which may help with the recovery of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The findings now appear in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

One reason that COVID-19 is so hard to treat is that it has numerous effects on the body. These range from lung infections to neurological problems.

Drug repurposing allows for already approved drugs to expedite drug development.

Baricitinib has approval to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, a June study in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine showed evidence to suggest that baricitinibs antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties helped reduce the viral load, decrease inflammation, and improve symptoms of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.

Remdesivir, an antiviral agent that scientists initially designed to treat Ebola, is beneficial as a COVID-19 treatment. A November clinical trial in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that people who took remdesivir had a reduced recovery time of 10 days (versus 15 days in people who took a placebo).

Currently, remdesivir is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) have cautioned against using remdesivir, citing a lack of survival data to support its use for this purpose.

Therefore, researchers for the ACTT-2 trial hypothesized that combining baricitinib and remdesivir would be more effective than using either drug alone.

From May 8, 2020, to July 1, 2020, the clinical trial enrolled 1,033 people worldwide. Although 48% of the participants were white, 51.4% were Hispanic or Latino, 15% were Black, 9.8% were Asian, and 1% were American Indian or Alaska Native.

The diversity in trial recruitment will make the results more applicable for marginalized populations, who have a disproportionally higher risk of COVID-19 development and death.

The researchers randomly assigned a total of 515 patients to the remdesivir and baricitinib group, while 518 patients took remdesivir and a placebo.

They each received remdesivir through an intravenous line, with a 200-milligram (mg) loading dose on day 1 and a 100-mg maintenance dose for days 2 through 10.

Daily, they received 4 mg of baricitinib for 14 days or until they left the hospital. They received the anti-inflammatory drug via two oral tablets or through a nasogastric tube.

Regardless of the group the patients were in, healthcare professionals monitored them all and provided supportive care from day 1 of treatment through day 29.

Baricitinib plus remdesivir was superior to remdesivir alone in reducing recovery time and accelerating improvement in clinical status, notably among patients receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive mechanical ventilation, write the study authors.

Those who received remdesivir and baricitinib shortened their recovery time by a median of 1 day, compared with those who took remdesivir and a placebo.

Among those who needed high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation, there was a marked difference in recovery times compared with those in the control group. By day 15, the health conditions of the patients who took remdesivir and baricitinib appeared to be improving.

People in the combination treatment group recovered by the 10th day, compared with the 18 days of recovery the scientists observed in the placebo group.

Although more participants would be necessary to measure a real difference in mortality rates, the combination treatment group appeared to have a lower mortality rate than the placebo group. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

The placebo group reported 28 grade 3 or 4 adverse effects, which the investigators confirmed were associated with the treatment, while the combination group reported 25 adverse effects.

Around 5% of all the participants in the trial experienced hyperglycemia, anemia, decreased lymphocyte counts, and acute kidney injury.

Due to the differences in trial design and drug biology, the researchers could not compare their findings to those of the clinical trial that evaluated the corticosteroid dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone has emerged as a leading treatment for severe COVID-19. The New England Journal of Medicine published preliminary results of the RECOVERY clinical trial, which found that dexamethasone reduced the risk of death in severe COVID-19 cases that required treatment with oxygen.

As the authors write:

Only a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, head-to-head comparison of baricitinib plus remdesivir with dexamethasone plus remdesivir will allow the efficacy and safety differences between these two approaches to be fully understood.

Currently, remdesivir and baricitinib hold emergency use authorization from the FDA to treat diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 in hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen, ventilation, or cardiac or respiratory life support.

The researchers say that another clinical trial for baricitinib is underway and may hold more insight into its efficacy when hospitalized patients with COVID-19 take it.

Overall, the drug combination holds promise in treating severe COVID-19. The researchers are also hopeful that this may help COVID-19 treatment become more accessible to the global community.

Our results and the characteristics of baricitinib, including the fact that it is an oral drug with few drug-drug interactions and a good safety profile, lend itself to use in low-to-middle income countries, they write.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

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Remdesivir and baricitinib shortened recovery time from COVID-19 - Medical News Today

When the first lockdown began in March, my son developed a persistent cough. I was anxious and when I couldnt sleep I would write. Inspired by the author Elizabeth Gilbert, whose soothing Instagram I would turn to in the ungodly hours, and reassured by her pragmatic take on creative endeavours, I poured my anxiety on to the page and lost myself in my story.

My sons cough wasnt Covid-19 as it turned out, but writing about it had helped me manage my fears around the pandemic and given me direction. Now its New Year, and lockdown, in some shape or another, is still a reality while most of us wait for the vaccine. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there, I have a strong feeling that making something might just help.

At the beginning of the pandemic we were hyped up; it was scary, but it was novel and many of us even enjoyed the slower pace of lockdown life wider traumas not withstanding and the chance to work from home. Now that its almost a year ago, were more likely to be fatigued and listless, wrestling with financial worries and whatever else may come our way.

In these circumstances, taking up a new creative pastime could bring the tangible sense of achievement we seek, injecting some much-needed novelty into what could otherwise be a bleak January.

Psychotherapist Josh Hogan began drawing landscapes in the first lockdown. It gives me a sense of peace and calm, he says. When Im focused on that one activity Im not worrying about things that might happen in the future; it brings me back into the present moment because I have to pay attention to what Im doing.

Theres a sense of accomplishment and I may feel like Ive really said something, he says. Ive used art and creativity all my life to express myself and make sense of the confusing vagaries of life. But it wasnt until I began my counselling training I realised that art could be used as a powerful therapeutic, tool. Expressing oneself and making sense of life are two important processes in therapy. When I began training I realised I had been doing a lot of therapeutic things without knowing it.

Hogan also recommends creative pursuits to clients who are overwhelmed with anxiety. Art is widely recognised as a helpful way to boost wellbeing in so many different was: to aid communication, to alleviate depression, to uncover hidden meanings and conflicts, but it doesnt have to be a big cathartic expression of inner turmoil to have healing benefits. Even a small amount of creativity is good for us.

As a study led by Dr Daisy Fancourt, UCL senior research fellow for BBC Arts found, getting to grips with something new and creative is good for our mental health regardless of skill level. The research, conducted between March and May 2018 among a sample of 47,924 respondents across the UK, found that doing something creative can help people see problems in a new light.

While activities such as creative writing can help you vent your emotions, other things like knitting or crafting can give us some space and a safe haven away from our stresses, which might provide a chance to think things through and find solutions, says Fancourt.

Making something new is also great for our confidence. People can be surprised by what they achieve and this can spill over into other aspects of their lives, says Fancourt. A great example is the Choir with No Name, which is a choir for people affected by homelessness: 70-80% of people who take part go on to volunteer or find housing and leave the streets. While real-life choirs might be out of bounds for the moment, that shouldnt stop us from flexing our vocal cords in one of the many online groups that have sprung in the pandemic.

Getting busy with your sketchpad or journal can protect us in all sorts of ways. According to one study examining the links between art and health, a cost-benefit analysis showed a 37% drop in GP consultation rates and a 27% reduction in hospital admissions when patients were involved in creative pursuits. Other studies have found similar results. For example, when people were asked to write about a trauma for 15 minutes a day, it resulted in fewer subsequent visits to the doctor, compared to a control group.

Why we see these responses isnt clear, though when were really into our creative flow many of us fall into a state similar to deep meditation. Hours flash by in minutes and for once were free of that nagging, critical inner voice. This flow state can even bring about changes in our body, as shown by a 2010 Swedish study on classical pianists, which found that heart rate slowed, breath deepened and, rather wonderfully, the smile muscles were activated when the musicians really got into their groove.

But what about sharing our creation with others? Can this make our creative endeavour more powerful?

When its shared, parts of us that were once invisible, hidden, obscured, become known, is how musician and writer Jeff Leisawitz, explains it, writing on his Tiny Buddha blog. There are seven billion people running around on this planet. Its easy to feel lost, invisible and inconsequential. Its a big world. So creativity helps us be seen. Perhaps youll get your 15 minutes and become popular with the masses. More likely, itll be with your extended gang or just a few close people. And sometimes your creation will only be for yourself. Even if no one else checks out your work, itll still help you see yourself. Become better known to yourself.

In lockdown, many of us wrote more than ever before, colouring-book sales skyrocketed and we saw a spate of online creative courses spring up as artists and other makers shared their skill-sets to help us stay sane. Isolation Art School, set up by Keith Tyson, who won the Turner Prize in 2002, offered free video tutorials, which you can still find on its Instagram page, with portrait painting demos from Jonathan Yeo, and Tim Noble showing you how to build your own shadow portrait out of rubbish and household items and much more.

But what if your rubbish shadow portrait is, well, rubbish? If we dont have an artistic bone in our body, can creativity still help our mental health?

Tysons own series of lessons, Painting for Absolute Beginners, challenges the idea that there are artistic people and non-artistic people. I think the most important things you can learn from this is that there are no wrong answers. Theres no way you can make a mistake, he says reassuringly.

Gilbert is similarly inclusive. Creative living doesnt mean you need to become a poet who lives on a mountain top in Greece, or that you must perform at Carnegie Hall or win a Palme dOr at the Cannes film festival, she says in Big Magic, her self-help book for creatives (although if thats your dream by all means go for it). Creativity is simply a way to live a bigger more fulfilled life.

Its akin to unearthing buried treasure, which each of us has deep within us; we just need the courage to look for it. And what better time than now?

1. You cant experience flow if youre constantly being interrupted, so switch off your phone and laptop.

2. Do something you enjoy. Whether youre drawing, writing or designing, youre likely to achieve higher flow if youre doing it for its own sake rather than for an extrinsic reward, like money or applause.

3. Dont wait for inspiration or a big epiphany. Set aside an hour a day for creativity and just show up for it.

4. Try following an online course, like the free classes on Isolation Art School or one of the online courses from Writers HQ, which promises to help you Stop f***ing about and start writing.

5. Suspend judgment. If you dont think your creation is good enough, give yourself a break and keep going. As Gilbert says, in her podcast for Big Magic: The only thing thats going to get you back to work on day two is if you forgive yourself for how bad your work was on day one.

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Finding time for creativity will give you respite from worries - The Guardian

By Shumita Kakkar

The fast pace of our lives has been disrupted by the unprecedented pandemic that broke out early into the year. The heartening thing, however, has been the global cooperation and resilience that has helped in a good bit of recovery and a lot of progress on developing a vaccine for the pandemic. Having said that, it is undeniable that the chaotic scenarios, disruptions to lifestyle, personal and family health concerns, and the global economic downturn caused by it have been a severe mental health challenge for most people directly or indirectly. This is in a scenario where mental health issues are already a pressing concern in India.

So much so that there is little awareness and acknowledgement of the same. Similar to most physical ailments, mental health problems are also treatable, but it generally takes longer for a person to recover from them. This is more so in case the problem is not identified timely and the right steps are not taken to cure/prevent it. The key is to identify the core areas which can help in improving mental health and alertness. It is important to work on them in a sustainable manner by taking small and effective steps focusing on the following aspects.

Sleep quality

A predominantly digital lifestyle can also pose challenges to quality sleep. Then there is the modern phenomenon of 247 services which make people work in evening and night shifts as well. What must be understood here is that sleep is not an indulgence, but a process through which an individual regains alertness, physical and mental fitness, and a positive mood.

Hence, one should try to sleep for eight hours a day which is essential for good health. Further, usage of electronic devices and gadgets such as computers, mobile phones or tablets or even the habit of watching TV before going to sleep should be avoided. Similarly, consumption of caffeine or alcohol before sleeping also affects mental health adversely and should be avoided.

Social activities

In the wake of COVID-19, everyone is facing restrictions on movement, social interactions, etc. Even celebrating special occasions and festivals has become difficult in this period of social distancing. Thus, it is natural for people to feel mentally bogged down, depressed. However, this is where virtual interactions and social networking become important.

Even if you are working from home, make it a point to prepare for the day in the same way that you normally did. Maintain good personal hygiene, dressing style, and groom yourself as if you have to go out and meet people every day. Make video calls and join online groups on subjects that interest you such as creative writing, books, or travel.

Health and wellness

Generally physical and mental health are considered to be separate areas. However, when it comes to overall health then mental wellness becomes integral as well. Good physical health increases our efficiency, alertness, self-confidence and offers a lot of psychological benefits. This can be ensured by regular exercise and healthy eating habits. When we exercise, our brain receives a boost of the happy chemicals called endorphins which make us feel better and happier. Similarly, eating a healthy diet containing an ideal balance of vitamins and nutrients can keep our body fit, energetic and disease-free. Stress eating, indulging in overeating and regular consumption of junk food are some of the habits that should be avoided.

Self-care

Self-care is essential to improving mental health. People tend to overlook their mental health needs as they remain preoccupied with the wellness of their family members. However, just like we take care of our gadgets to get the best output from them, we also need to practise self-care to live a long, healthy and happy life. Spend some time on your own. Focus on things that make you relax such as taking a hot bath, reading books, writing, listening to or playing music.

The idea is to keep yourself in a cheerful mood and eliminate fatigue. Depending on your schedule and needs, you can create a daily, bi-weekly or weekly self-time window to unwind. Pursuing things that make you happy is also a very potent way of self-care. Some people like cooking, others love playing with children or pet and there are those who love to do gardening and travelling.

Whatever works for you, find it and follow it regularly.

It is true that we want to constantly improve and do better. But we must also acknowledge and appreciate our efforts and things we achieve on the way. Reward yourself and give a mental pat on the back for surviving and thriving in these tough times. Remember, nobody gets desired results always, and if sometimes you under-achieve or fail, it is perfectly okay.

In conclusion

Mental health challenges in this pandemic age are a reality and almost unavoidable. However, what we all need to focus upon is that these issues are curable with the right approach and professional support. By focusing on self-care, taking good care of our physical health, lifestyle habits such as sleep quality and duration, physical exercise, mental relaxation and rejuvenation activities, we can keep ourselves in a good mental shape.

Such good mental fitness is crucial for the societys and the individuals growth in the years to come, so lets just all make a New Years resolution to work towards keeping our mental health strong, and earn a pat on the back by keeping the resolution going throughout the year!

(The writer is the founder of United We Care)

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New Year 2021: The resolution we all need to make for mental health - The Indian Express

A SELF help coach reckons watching movies may be the key to bettering ourselves this year.

While many people turn to books or online for improvement guidance, Dawud Gurevitch reckons that watching our favourite films can teach us important lessons.

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Dawud - who is a self help coach, author and movie mentor- helps his clients by prescribing a night (or day) watching films.

He says that the key is watching the right movie in the right way so you can apply it to your own life.

Dawud has studied hundreds of movies and analysed the lessons they teach us. He expertly matches clients needs to films with relevant lessons that can help them and shows how they can apply these lessons to their own lives.

He says: Movies entertain us they make us laugh, cry and even inspire us to get up and go for a run, as I found out after watching Tron: Legacy, but did you know that they can also inspire you to change your life?

Read on as Dawud explains how watching the following films can make you stronger, braver, more grateful, more mindful and have more self-control.

Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru (2016) is a feel-good documentary about one of Tony Robbins yearly seminars called Date with Destiny.

If you havent heard of him before, Tony is one of the worlds top life and business coaches, and this film can inspire you to be stronger when you hear about some of the participants shocking stories and when you see how Tony helps them to heal and to move on with their lives.

Being strong now is more important than ever so that we can handle the pandemic fallout.

Close (2019) is a powerful and believable thriller inspired by true events in which Sam Carlson (Noomi Rapace), a counter-terrorism expert and bodyguard, fights tooth and nail to protect her spoiled client, Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nelisse), from some dangerous people out to steal her large inheritance.

Watching Sam risk life and limb as she willingly and repeatedly goes head- to-head with the bad guys intent on hurting and even killing her should inspire us to face our own struggles with more oomph.

The Bucket List (2007) is the story of two poorly men, Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman), and how they bring joy to one another towards the ends of their lives.

Seeing how these two men who go from being complete strangers to being best friends make the most of their time together, despite their poor physical health, should give us reason to be grateful for our own circumstances and enables us to see opportunities that we can create to live life to full.

Eat Pray Love (2010) is the true story of successful Writer Elizabeth Liz Gilbert, a woman unhappy with her husband, house and job, and how she travels to Italy, India and Bali in search of good food, spirituality and new love.

Making mindfulness a daily practice, as Liz does, can do wonders for calming your mind, relaxing your body and stilling your heart, especially during hard times.

Gravity (2013) is another film that can help us to feel stronger. This sci-fi thriller shows Sandra Bullock playing Dr Ryan Stone, an engineer who becomes stranded alone inside her damaged space shuttle and attempts to return to Earth alive.

The ability to be emotionally fit in difficult situations such as this pandemic, including lockdowns, isolation and loneliness, is important for our overall wellbeing.

Dr Stones self-control when distressed shows us how we can do the same. So, get on Netflix, grab your popcorn and get ready to be become the new and improved you!

Article by Dawud Gurevitch, life coach and author of May the Source Be with You: A Filmic Guide to Change Your Life , available on Amazon.

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Life coach and movie mentor Dawud Gurevitch prescribes patients with films to boost their happiness - The Irish Sun

New Africa, Shutterstock

SALT LAKE CITY At last, the end of one of the most turbulent years in recent memory.

In 2020 we dealt with natural disasters, a tense election season, and a racial reckoning, among other things all while a pandemic played out, affecting nearly every aspect of our lives.

As people around the world were asked to stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19, many were forced to slow down and pick up new hobbies. For some, reading books helped create both an escape from the realities of the year and an understanding of them, too.

Welcome back to the KSL.com Book Club. It's a book club with a twist, where some of the KSL.com team members read a different book and then recap our picks at the end of each month. The goal here is to simply read more and escape real-world distractions, if only for a few pages a day.

This month's KSL.com Book Club features book picks from social media manager Yvette Cruz, copy editor Jordan Ormond, and news director Whitney Evans. If you think of a book one of us might like based on our book choices and reviews, feel free to let us know!

A couple and their two kids rent a vacation home outside of New York City hoping to get away from it all for a bit. At first, everything's fine and as relaxing as they'd hoped, but then there's a knock at the door.

The home's owners have arrived in a panic saying there's a major blackout in New York and they've come to seek shelter at their second home. With all forms of communication down at the home, there's no way to know if they truly are who they say they are. The family lets them in but questions arise about the entire situation, including what's really happening in New York.

Over the next couple of days, there's tension between the two families as they deal with each other and differences of class and race all while a possible apocalypse plays out in the background.

This book was more than a thriller. It was thought-provoking and unsettling and stayed with me days after finishing it. Several times, I found myself wondering if 2020 was the right year for me to read it given all the uncertainty we've dealt with, but I couldn't put it down nonetheless.

"Leave the World Behind" contains some explicit content.

Who would like this book? Those who want something really thought-provoking and want to read the book before the Netflix adaption comes out.

Your next read?"The Light We Lost" by Jill Santopolo has been on my list for a while now so I'm hoping to finally get to that one next.

Favorite read in 2020:"The Library Book" by Susan Orlean and "The Vanishing Half" by Brit Bennett

This book was part of the required reading for my MBA program, and I entered into reading it with a decent amount of anticipation. You see, I'd been hearing rave reviews about this book for years but had never gotten around to reading it. After all that anticipation, I came away with a mixed impression.

First, what I liked: The book does a great job highlighting what you can do to help solve some conflicts and has some simple frameworks to guide you through. Is your heart at war (assuming the worst) or at peace (assuming the best)? Do you see those around you as people or as objects? (Hint: Seeing people as people leads to better outcomes.) Is your behavior motivated by the need to be seen a certain way? (If so, maybe question your motivation and approach.)

Next, what I didn't like: I struggled with the parts of the book that, to me, seemed overly didactic and reductive. While this approach can be beneficial, I can see times when maybe it falls short. For instance, the authors used a civil rights protest in the U.S. as an example of times when people were "in the box," which to me seemed to lack the nuance and empathy needed to understand why and what groups were protesting. Part of being "out of the box" involves listening to other groups and perspectives, and it seems the authors did not spend as much time listening to some of the groups they represented in the text. Yes, it's helpful to see people as people and that approach would help most interactions but there are also systems and structures that need addressing that go beyond being in or out of "the box." I think "The Anatomy of Peace" is perhaps a good start to conflict resolution, but not a finishing place.

Who would like this book? This book is good for anyone looking for alternative approaches to solving conflicts and negative relationship patterns.

Your next read? I just started "More Than A Body" by Lexie and Lindsay Kite. Full disclosure: I know one of the authors, so going into the book I had decently high expectations. I'm about one-third of the way through, and this book is already exceeding my expectations. It's so good!

Favorite read in 2020:"Circe" by Madeleine Miller or "The Water Dancer" by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Would you describe yourself as less-outgoing, more solitary and cerebral, or quieter than other people? There's power in that, as Susan Cain explains in her book "Quiet."

Published in 2012, this book has been around for nearly eight years now and it's spent every one of them on the New York Times bestseller list. That's because this book is fascinating. Cain has collected an exhaustive amount of research on what makes people introverted and organized it in a way that is easily understandable. She spends time explaining how introverts "tick," the power that lies in being introverted, and why our extrovert-centric U.S. society should make more room for these people. Then she shows us how to do it.

As an introvert myself, I identified with so many of the research subjects and results, so many of the anecdotes about people and relationships, and so many of the attributes of people who tend to be more introverted. I was also pleasantly surprised to learn a little bit more about my extroverted counterparts and how they "tick," as well as learning some tips and tricks for extroverts and introverts to communicate better and accomplish more together.

Whether you identify more as an introvert or an extrovert, I highly recommend you read this book. You will learn so much about yourself and others around you, and you will become better skilled at working with people.

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Book Club: 3 books we read to close out 2020 | KSL.com - KSL.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to 2021 at last. Though theres still a lot to do to get back to normal, its a brand-new year filled with optimism and fresh possibilities. A clean start, lots of positivity, and..and then it all comes crashing down. Because no matter what else is going on, the year always, inevitably, without fail, begins with January. Bummer. Whether youre contemplating the bleak wasteland from home, or dragging through the snow, slush, and ice on the way to work, its interminable.

So, as a public service, were going to help you through the dread January doldrums with 10 new, or at least newish, ways to ease through the month, deliciously. Despite the pandemic, theres a lot happening on the North Coast, and these culinary enterprises represent some of the very best of whats fresh to eat in town.

This is the season of self-help, and right here is a great therapeutic place to start. Its good for you and great for the local economy. With enough applications of some these inspired and indulgent edibles, we might be able to breeze through Januarys long days journey and move briskly on to February, which can be just as grim, but is shorter.

Bean pies from Bean Pie Heaven LLC. (photo courtesy Bean Pie Heaven LLC)Bean Pie Heaven LLC

Bean Pie Heaven LLC

Bean Pie Heaven LLC began its existence as a fund-raising opportunity for the Islamic School of the Oasis in Cleveland. Sister Rasheedah Abdur-Razzaq eventually took over the business, and made the bean pies her own, reformulating the recipe based on navy beans to make it more healthful and flavorful. Bean pies have a long legacy in the Islamic-American community as a key element of a nutritious diet, promoted by the Nation of Islam founders. Abdur-Razzaqs hand-crafted pies are just sweet enough and properly succulent, the artfully fluted crust tender and flaky. Originally selling from her front porch, with the help of her husband and children, she repurposed a vintage barber shop into a spacious bakery, where everyone can feel safe to come and enjoy a touch of heaven. There, she turns out sweet potato pies, peach cobbler, pecan pies, cheesecakes, rich buttermilk pies, and glamorous meringue-crowned lemon pies as well as her legacy bean pies. It is a place of good temptationsas Abdur-Razzaq herself says, so dangerousYa Allah help me! We know that feeling well.

Bean Pie Heaven LLC 1120 East 105th St. Cleveland, OH 44108.

216-862-9740 Call/text for hours and to order ahead (recommended). Curbside pickup available. Text to request price list.

Cleveland Chocolate Co. owner and chocolate maker Rebecca Hess. (photo courtesy Cleveland Chocolate Co.)Cleveland Chocolate Co.

Cleveland Chocolate Co.

You may remember Rebecca Hess as the chef who made the late-great-and-still-lamented Arcadian Food + Drink the unforgettable dining experience it was -- for way too brief a time. Well, shes back, this time applying her taste and talent to the fine art of single origin chocolate. Lucky us. It all started with a tropical fruit CSA that included fresh cacao pods. She soon fell in love with the process of making chocolate and now, shes says, its been really cool seeing how much joy chocolate can bring someone, and to be able to handcraft each bar with care from start to finish is something really special. Working out of Tremonts Fairmont Creamery in a storefront that is the very model of a modern day confectionery, all bright white and shiny stainless steel, she crafts her organic fair trade chocolate bars from cacao pods from Ghana, Belize, Haiti and other key sources around the world. Each bar, identified by country of origin and varying percentages of cocoa, has identifying tasting notes similar to wine and whiskey (the pleasant ones, like strawberry, honey and butter, no dirt, dill, or dirty socks).

When youre at the shop, or other places around town that stock the bars--check website for locations get a variety and organize a chocolate tasting with your family or a few close friends. Pick a mix of solid chocolate and inclusion bars. If you can, try the 70% dark Dominican Republic bar, deep rich silken chocolate with hints of strawberry and peppercorn, and the exotic Golden Mylk bar, a soft white chocolate made with cashew and oat milk, layered with crystallized ginger, then sprinkled with turmeric, cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper. No matter which you choose, they all have that really special taste of pure luxury chocolate.

Cleveland Chocolate Co. 2306 West 17th St. Suite 4, Cleveland, OH 44113

http://www.clevelandchocolate.co 440-465-0883 Curbside pickup and online ordering available. Also available at stores, hotels, and restaurants around town.

'Flaming' Fred Stoldt of Fred Hot LLC. (photo courtesy Fred Hot LLC)Fred Hot LLC

Fred Hot

Who could resist a jar full of what looks like dusty chards of broken colored glass with a label displaying a wild-eyed screaming demon head with flaming hair and the immortal words FRED HOT HOT GLASS CANDY: Jalapeno Lime, Habanero Orange, Ghost Pepper Cherry? Ok, I almost passed it up myself the first time I saw it. But then, circling back, I had to have it. You will, too. In the interest of full disclosure, the Jalapeno Lime flavor is kind of bogus. You could give it to your toddler, if toddlers were allowed jagged-edged broken lollipops, which is the basic construct of HOT GLASS CANDY, and she wouldnt even flinch. But the Habanero Orange Flavor has a nice creeping heat, and the Ghost Pepper Cherry is worth every incendiary moment it spends tearing up your mouth. Feel the burn, indeed. Hot glass candy is the brain child, or more like the mutant offspring, of Fred Stoldt, a charming voluble Euclid police officer who develops volcanic edibles on the side. The glass candy is really just a one-off for him. When you check out his website (www.fredhotspice), youll find an entire flaming empire of pretty hot stuff. You could pick one new hot sauce, pickled vegetable, atomic spice blend, sriracha cheese powder, or pepper jelly for every day of the month, and still have a few left over for February. My personal favorite is Himalayan Hell-Fire, 4 oz. of pure Himalayan pink crystal salt blended with the hottest pepper in the world!!! The Carolina Reaper!!! Salt and lots and lots of pepper all wrapped up together. Again, who could resist?

Fred Hot LLC P.O. Box 23423, Euclid, OH 44123 http://www.fredhotspice.com

216-410-4403. Available online and in local stores, refer to website for details.

Marchant Manor Cheeses Henley, Elmstead Ash, and Lapworth Peppercorn Camembert (photo courtesy Marchant Manor Cheese)Marchant Manor Cheese

Marchant Manor Cheese

You would think pathology would not be the typical path to cheese maker and monger, but when purchasing Marchant Manors elegant ashy chevres and creamy peppercorn-layered Camembert, you can rest assured there are no pathogens lurking, thanks to Kandice Marchants medical training. A practicing pathologist at the Cleveland Clinic, she is counting the days until she can segue full-time into the cheese shop on Lee Road thats having a soft opening during the holiday season before going dormant again until future notice. A cheese course gifted to her by her late husband several years ago inspired her to delve deeper into the art of cheese. Encouragement from Trevor Clutterback at Ohio City Provisions pushed her further. He was so impressed with her sample cheeses that he made a match between Marchant and his own partner dairy in Stark County. And now shes doing a deep dive using Guernsey, Holstein, and goat milk to turn out sophisticated multi- textured cheeses of intriguing nuance and complex flavor. Shes also working the other end of the cheese spectrum, producing super premium versions of the simpler pleasures of fresh ricotta and cottage cheese. All this bodes well for Clevelands expanding cheese community, particularly when Marchant will be able to permanently open her shop, a charming mash-up of French Provincial and dairy barn, when her whimsical neon sign will fulfill its promise, and the cheese doctor will be in attendance full-time.

Marchant Manor Cheese 2211 Lee Rd. Cleveland Heights, OH 44118

marchantmanor.com Refer to website for details.

Nosh Butters

In 2018, NOSH began with a single food processor and a pantry full of nuts in Sam and Lauren Trohmans Cuyahoga Falls home kitchen. As Sam describes it, Lauren has a food and nutrition degree and Sams an entrepreneur who thought it would be a good idea to try making pistachio butter at home and seeing if it was any good. And it was! From there the business quickly evolved into a small-batch manufacturing operation and now NOSH butters are available online and all over the north coast, with a brick and mortar shop soon to open. As for that pistachio butter, its now Pistachio Almond Butter, and it is good. Unlike other mixed nut butters, this one has a pistachio punch that gives it real panache. Great on toast, it also begs to be turned into elegant pistachio almond butter cookies.

Not content with just one esoteric butter, Sam and Lauren have now launched six varieties of natural nut butters. 2Seed Almond Butter with hemp, chia seeds, dates and coconut oil packs healthy omega fatty acids, iron, protein, and healthy fats and Golden Cashew Almond Butter provides, as Sam points out, the closest thing to a warm cozy hug that food can offer. Featuring cashews, almonds, ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, and maple syrup, it could be a prescriptive therapy for those in need of immediate succor in sandwich form on a snowy afternoon.

Nosh Butters 3345 State Rd. PO Box 3672, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223 http://www.NOSHbutters.com 440-732-2215. Available online and in local stores, refer to website for details.

Pat's Granola a la yogurt parfait (Pat's Granola)Pat's Granola

Pats Granola

Pat Bennett started making granola more than 25 years ago when faced with making healthier snacks for her school age sons who were all athletes. They were always hungry after school and before sports practices, so I made granola as a way to feed them the right kind of fuel to optimize their energy. Pat ultimately ended up with three varieties of granola. Ginger Spiced, with molasses, maple syrup, spices, and coconut oil added to gluten-free oats, dried apricots, cherries, cranberries, and almonds is the perfect mix of delicious and healthy for January, when you need a bit of quick energy to shovel the drive, knock those icicles off the eavesagain.or just take a brisk walk around the block to drive off cabin fever.

Granola making is Pats encore career. A 64 year-old African American woman, she turned her love of food and cooking into a strong and growing small business on the north coast. Her enthusiasm for independent businesses and ability to work collaboratively have put her in the forefront of small business enterprise here in Cleveland. But she still has time to come up with new flavors of granola. Later this year, she will be offering subscriptions for frequent buyers. In the meantime, shes busy distributing Ginger-Spiced, Peanut Butter, and Tropical granola blends. That mix, including dried pineapple, banana chips, and sunflower seeds, sounds like a fun summer treat for if/when we can run freely around the neighborhood again!

Pats Granola 891 East 185th St. #19513 Cleveland, OH 44119 http://www.patsgranola.com 917-623-7230. Available online and in local stores, refer to website for details.

Picnic Hill co-owner and chef Shawn BrownPicnic Hill Gourmet Market

Picnic Hill

Picnic Hill covers a lot of ground. Since it opened in Fairmount Circle in Cleveland Heights in January, 2020, this charming establishment has offered breakfast, lunch and dinner to eat in, or carry out, with lovely daily specials and wine and cocktails as well. Plus a gourmet market with beautifully curated products for cooking, baking, charcuterie and just plain snacking. And, most importantly for us in January 2021, when were looking for something to make our lives a little less humdrum, something Michael Miller and Shawn Brown, the proprietors, call Picnic Fresh. Similar to Blue Apron and other delivery meals you cook yourself, but so much better because everything is fresh and local. Go on their website and pick the number of people youre cooking for and choose one, two or three meals of your choice for the week. Each meal has about six steps and takes 30 minutes each and costs around $13/person. The particulars are all laid out on the site in an easy to follow format, but suffice it to say that you can fill the month with well-directed freshly cooked home-made dishes such as Three Cup Chicken, Sheet-Pan Roasted Salmon Nicoise Salad and Crisp Tofu and Sweet Potatoes. Tasty and fun, right?

Picnic Hill 20621 Fairmount Blvd. Shaker Heights, OH 44118

http://www.picnichillmarketcafe.com 216-795-5660 Refer to website for details.

Charlie Eisenstat Making a Pour Over Coffee (pourcleveland.com) Pour Cleveland.Pour Cleveland

Pour Cleveland

Charlie Eisenstat has been the lodestar, and the rock star, of all things coffee on the north coast since he opened Pour Cleveland in 2013. In mid-March, after closing down the shop that had introduced international roasters to local fans, Eisenstat decided to pivot to promoting five of his favorite European coffee distributors on his website.

There are several ways to get these fresh seasonal coffees. One of the best is to caffeinate with 250 gram bags shipped two or four at a time once a month. Its dealers choice as to what you get, but the coffee whisperer knows his stuff and chances are youll be thrilled. However, if you really want to curate your subscription, Eisenstat says, For anybody who is curious or interested but isnt sure what to get, we have chat features on the site that go right to me so I can make recommendations based on what exactly the customer is looking for. This is part of what I miss most about being in the shop: connecting customers to coffees that completely blow their minds. Well, regular shipments of mind-blowing coffee seems like a great way to get through Januaryand subsequent months. Im signing up now.

http://www.pourcleveland.com Refer to website for details.

Stir Studio Kitchen in Tremont (Stir Studio Kitchen)Stir Studio Kitchen

Stir Studio Kitchen

Decidedly not your mothers cooking classes, Stir Studio Kitchen offers group experiences that emphasize the fun rather than the fundamentals of cooking. Thats the whole point of Stir, according to founder/owner Charlie Denk. Our guests undoubtedly learn a lot when they spend an evening with us, but our classes are unapologetically focused on entertainment, fun, and providing a unique, hospitable experience. Our studios are super chic, we crank up the music, and our instructors radiate energy. There are public and private classes being held in the schools kitchens in both Tremont and Chagrin Falls, but you can also get the Stir experience on Zoom. So round up your funner friends and settle in for a very entertaining evening. Drinks sound de rigueur here, you can bring your own regardless of the setting.

The menus reflect an intriguing variety of interests. Theres a seasonal evening featuring cozy pork roulade and butternut squash puree, a Mexican menu with scratch chorizo and handmade tortillas, and Knockout Gnocchi, make-your-own gnocchi to serve with herb pesto and baked meatballs. For remote classes, theres a written packet distributed before hand that includes the recipes, ingredients, equipment, and instructions. People can either shop for themselves or Stir can provide pre-measured ingredients packages. Regardless how you do it, its bound to be an indelible experience. Denk and his instructors work hard to make sure their guests have fun. I like to think Stir is a very special business with incredible people. Were a bunch of kids who work our absolute tails off and are genuinely setting out to reinvent the entire cooking class industry in the US.

Cheers to that!

Stir Studio Kitchen 4461 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH

http://www.stirstudiokitchen.com 440-829-3136 Refer to website for details.

Whoa! Dough

We all have friends who are gluten-intolerant. Most of us have friends who are lactose-sensitive. Many of us have friends who are vegan or keep kosher. Or cant eat eggs. Or wont eat GMO foods. For all those friends, you now have one snack that will make every one of them very happy. Whoa! Dough cookie dough bars are all that and still shockingly tasty. Todd Goldstein, founder of Whoa! Dough and self-described Cookie Dough King has always been a foodie. He says, my earliest memory was at six years old working with the baker at my grandfathers restaurant in downtown Cleveland. After graduating college, I moved back to Cleveland and started LaunchHouse and have spent the last 10 years working with entrepreneurs and small businesses. In 2011, I was diagnosed with a gluten intolerance, which began my hunt for healthy, gluten-free products. My sons were born in 2015 and 2017 and later diagnosed with gluten-intolerances, increasing my desire to create a gluten-free treat my family would enjoy. So in 2019, Whoa! Dough was born. Six of the most popular flavors of cookies in a dough bar that can be eaten chilled, but are shelf-stable so can be stashed anywhere to be snacked on later. You can also bake them, 350 degrees for 3 to 5 minutes, if you want the non-raw experience.

So, how are they, really? Really, they are very good. At warm room temperature, when they become just a little gooey and develop the sugary texture thats so attractive in cookie dough is when they are best. The sugar cookie, peanut butter chocolate chip, and brownie batter varieties are a very convincing comfort food for consumers of all persuasions, and are going into my most favored snack list rotation. But if you dont believe me, look at the numbers. On November 1, 2020, Whoa! Dough started growing its retail presence nationwide. Since then, according to Goldstein, brick and mortar store sales have grown over 100% and online sales by 500%. So try them yourself, and when you do, pick up a few more for when you go for a brisk winter walk with your gluten-free vegan friend. Theyll be touched that you were so thoughtful and impressed, that, finally, theres a fun indulgent snack that you can enjoy together.

Whoa! Dough 675 Alpha Drive, Suite E, Highland Heights, OH 44143

http://www.whoadough.com 216-338-3000 Available online and in grocery stores throughout the country. Refer to website for details.

Continued here:
10 great local foodie products to help soothe Clevelands cold January bluster - cleveland.com

It's here. We've finally made it to the end of 2020.

This year has been more of a marathon than a sprint and honestly, really more like a game of Jumanji than anything else.

The hard truth is that it all won't be magically better at 12:01 A.M. on January 1st.

So it's time to restock those self-care toolkits and assess how you want to step into the new year. There's a lot you can't control about what happens next but the one thing you can do is shape how you show up.

Your home is your sanctuary, especially these days when you're spending a lot of time within its walls. If you don't already have a space to help you unwind, Rewire contributor Danielle Broadway has some tips to get you started.

"You might think meditation gardens are too pricey and difficult to create in your own home. In reality, they can be as expensive or as affordable as you'd like them to be," Broadway said.

In "Build Your Own Indoor Meditation Garden," Broadway offers advice on how to create the space, pick the plants and find centering exercises to do once it's all put together.

Not a natural gardener, inside or out? We've got you covered with "8 Hardy Houseplants for Inattentive Gardeners."

As you prepare for your green journey, you may find further inspiration from Jared Alexander's experience learning to garden this summer while quarantining at home with his mother.

"Through gardening I've been able to look outward again, to remember the world around me and where I'm headed," Alexander said.

I've never been more inspired to try to not kill plants. I hope it helps you too.

If I'm attempting to find the bright side of 2020 while doing my best to avoid falling into a toxic positivity trap I think this year has really reinforced the idea that your learning is never done.

You may feel like you're aware of the world around you and how you fit into it but everything we do and think is shaped by perspective. If you get stuck in your own way of thinking, the world becomes pretty one dimensional. But continuing to expand your perspective, now that's where things get interesting.

Instead of doomscrolling for another hour, put some of that time to use taking a free or low-cost online social justice course to shake up your point of view.

Jill Silos, associate professor of history and political science at Massachusetts Bay Community College, shared with Rewire a list to get you started, a jumping off point for anyone "who wants to learn more about social justice and how to work toward a better future."

If the less-formal route to greater awareness is your thing, fiction can be a way to build empathy and understanding without feeling like you're eating broccoli. "8 Contemporary Black Novelists to Read Right Now" can get you started.

Or, go the podcast route with "Essential Listening: Podcasts on Race and Racism."

With all of this self-discovery and centering, it's also a good time to think about how what you value aligns with your actions.

Sometimes we can't do anything about this you need a job and have to accept and work hard for whatever employer you have.

But if you're in a place in your life where you can be more particular, maybe take a moment to reflect. If there isn't alignment between your workplace and your values, should you find a different employer? Or can you try to make change where you are?

It's a complex issue to be sure but one worth examining.

"Prolonged exposure to a harmful workplace culture results in PTSD," saidHR consultant Sarah Morgan to Rewire.

"It impacts our focus, our critical thinking, and our work outputs. It impacts our mental and physical health. It impacts our confidence and our trust of other people."

On a smaller scale even if you can't change your job, you can align your banking with your values.

"Are you comfortable with where your money sleeps? Are the institutions where you're placing it supporting communities you care about? If you aren't comfortable with the answer to that question, it may be time to make a change," saidEbony Perkins, manager of investor and community relations atSelf-Help Credit Union's North Carolina branch.

Learn more in, "'There's Power in Where You Place Your Money.'"

Don't just nurture your private self, think about how you can position yourself at work in the year ahead.

Are you bringing your best self to your job? And if you are, is your work equal to your skills or is there room for you to grow into even more responsibility?

"Put together a proposal first for the work you think needs to get done," career coachHeather MacArthur said to Rewire.

"Showing up as a thought partner to help your manager succeed takes you out of the lane of being an employee that needs to be taken care of, to a business partner that thinks strategically on behalf of the team. Next, pitch how you'd best be able to help achieve those results."

Change may not happen immediately but being proactive and engaged can build trust and create opportunities.

If you're already working hard and feeling under-appreciated, you may be thinking about asking for a higher salary. We've got some expert advice about negotiating from afar in "How to Negotiate Your Salary and Benefits Over Zoom" to get you started.

Your mental health is directly linked to your quality of life and physical health. Make the most of 2021 by prioritizing it.

Work on managing your anxiety in these uncertain times. Listen to other's experiences with mental health, and learn how to talk about your own mental health with the people who love you.

"Go offline. Go off social media when you need to. Live your life. Go outside and say "Hi!" to someone through a mask. It works, " said Lorelei Ramirez, stand-up comedian, writer,actorandpodcaster to Rewire in "Finding Humor in Dark Times."

"Be a little selfish with how you give out your energy to people and with how you're helping. Care for yourself, like you're caring for a little baby that's where people should be at."

Link:
5 Ways to Take Care of Yourself in the Year Ahead - Rewire.org