Research Guides: Well-Being In Stressful Times: Welcome

Welcome

This guide is for keeping calm and keeping up your spirits in stressful time. See the "Stuck at home" tab for things to do with kids, activities for yourself, and help with classes. For Basic Needs (food, rent and utilities, internet, etc.) see Beyond the Food Pantry: Surviving COVID-19: A #RealCollege Guide for Students from the Hope Center.

Please note: these resources do not replace the expert advice of a qualified healthcare professional. Please consult with a professional healthcare provider when making health-related decisions. If you are experiencing a health emergency, please call 911, or the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

Just need to talk?

The Disaster Distress Helpline, is a 24/7, 365-day-a-year, national hotline dedicated to providing immediate crisis counseling for people who are experiencing emotional distress related to any natural or human-caused disaster. This toll-free, multilingual, and confidential crisis support service is available to all residents in the United States and its territories. Stress, anxiety, and other depression-like symptoms are common reactions after a disaster. Call 1-800-985-5990 or text TalkWithUs to 66746 to connect with a trained crisis counselor.

For more mental health and well-being resources, check out this guide from the NH Department of Health & Human Services.

Take control of your news

Coronavirus Weekly
Coronavirus analysis from The Conversation, a global network of experts who write with "academic rigor, journalistic flair."
How to Be Intentional About Consuming Coronavirus News
Researchers and media experts weigh in on how to stay informed about coronavirus while protecting your mental health.
Let's flatten the infodemic curve
Tips from the World Health Organization for spotting misinformation and stopping its spread.
MedlinePlus Guide to Healthy Web Surfing
The U.S. National Library of Medicine's tips for finding reliable health information online.
Six Questions That Will Tell You What Media to Trust
The American Press Institute guides you to reliable news sources with six questions: "It’s easier than you think. They will make you a more critical thinker and save you from being misled."

There is good news -- you just have to look for it.

Coronavirus chronicles: Here's some good news amid the dire reports
From CNET: from vaccine progress to people uniting in friendship and solidarity, some positive COVID-19 news to keep things in perspective.
Five Ways to Restore Your Faith in Humanity
Does the news make you feel like everything is hopeless? That’s when you need to consciously seek out the good.
Good News Network
Since 1997, millions of people have turned to the Good News Network® as an antidote to the barrage of negativity experienced in the mainstream media.
How to Keep the Greater Good in Mind During the Coronavirus Outbreak
In the midst of our panic around COVID-19, we must look to each other to help us get through it.

Self-care ideas

A Brain Hack to Break the Coronavirus Anxiety Cycle
Judson A. Brewer, a psychiatrist, behavioral neuroscientist, and professor at Brown University, explains how to help yourself not panic.
Coping With COVID-19 Vaccine Stress
From the NH Bureau of Infectious Disease Control. If you or a loved one is anxious about the COVID-19 vaccine, this is a great resource.
How to Keep Mentally Healthy During Uncertain Times
We're entering unprecedented times with this Coronavirus pandemic. The good news is there are lots of positive things we and our families can do to stay as physically and mentally healthy as possible.

Ideas to Boost Your Immune System
This quick guide to good nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress management during the COVID-19 pandemic is by Professor Scott & Professor Ackerson of MCC's Biology department.

The importance of self-care
Too busy to take care of yourself? These talks offer simple ways to stay healthy — both emotionally and physically. A TED playlist.
In Stressful Times, Make Stress Work for You
Stanford researchers Kari Leibowitz and Alia Crum explain the 3 step process to shift our stress mindset.
Self-care ideas
A graphic from Introvert Doodles.
Social Reintegration: Preparing For Post-COVID Life
This essay by Michelle Pearce, a clinical psychologist and professor at University of Maryland, Baltimore, provides tips for easing back into social life as pandemic restrictions are loosened. (requires EasyLogin; also available at the Baltimore Sun website)
Why Self-Compassion and Emotion Regulation Are Key to Coping with COVID-19
Marc Brackett, Ph.D., is the director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence, professor in the Child Study Center, and author of the book Permission To Feel. This article is excerpted from that book.

Mindfulness can help reduce worry

Jon Kabat-Zinn, Executive Director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, defines mindfulness as “paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” Mindfulness can help reduce stress, as this site from University of Minnesota explains.

Mindfulness can also help you "respond wisely"

Dan Harris explains how you can react less and respond more (with help from animations by Katy Davis). This can really boost your well-being!

Mindfulness in Times of Extreme Stress
Includes links to several kinds of guided mindfulness practices, organized by "under five minutes" and "longer practice."
Responding Wisely to Fear & Worry
Dr. Kitty Wear, Mindfulness Chaplain at University of Edinburgh, explains the psychology of fear and worry and provides practical tips for managing those emotions.

This animated video from Dr. Russ Harris, a doctor, psychotherapist, life coach & consultant to the World Health Organization, explains how to respond effectively to the corona crisis.

Alone? Together? Resources to get you through

How to be happy when you spend time alone
Though written before the pandemic, this article has some good tips for managing solitude.
NASA Astronaut's Tips for Surviving Quarantine During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Astronaut Sunita Williams has been on several space station expeditions, and offers her advice for dealing with being "with the same few people."
Neighbors not practicing social distancing? Here's what to do.
How to stay safe with grace, dignity, and compassion.

Photo L.C.; Art, T. & L.C., 2020

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