|
Dear BMC Community,
I can't believe it’s November already. This fall challenges us to continue our practice of adaptation. I encourage you to make time to turn inward and reflect on your growth and that of our BMC community. I’ve been thinking a great deal about what is it means to hold change with intention, how can we continue to support each other in our practice of adaption, and what are the gifts of this moment? I'm still seeking answers to these questions. I invite you to ponder these questions as well for yourself and our community.
Warmly,
Reggie Jones
Associate Dean of Health & Wellness
|
|
|
|
In This Issue (Click a link to jump to article):
|
|
The Health and Wellness Center is Starting a Podcast!
We want your ideas for names and content!
Give us your ideas by emailing the HWC at eoverholt@brynmawr.edu
|
|
Staff Spotlight
Each week, we will be introducing and highlighting members of the Health and Wellness Center staff. Get to know the center staff and faculty!
Hilary Hla, Psy.D (she/they)
Associate Director of Counseling Services
 Hilary joined the BMC HWC staff during summer 2021, just in time for the start of the 2021-2022 school year. In addition to professional interests and work in college counseling, Hilary enjoys home gardening, yoga, and cooking for self-care. Hilary can often be found biking, singing, dancing or cuddling with their cat, Silvio, in their free time.
|
|
|
|
Dear Athena,
I’m finding myself struggling more than I expected with being back in person this year. I now spend much less time alone in my room on a screen, and much more time interacting in person with others. I feel exhausted and drained at the end of the day, and feel much more socially anxious in groups than I remember being pre-pandemic. I feel guilty turning down plans because I remember how hard it was last year to be so isolated, but I also feel myself getting burnt out. How can I navigate this new normal?
Sincerely,
Drained and Confused
|
|
|
Dear Drained and Confused,
The struggle is real! So many of us are feeling ambivalent about our world reopening. After all, we have spent over a year distancing ourselves from others and viewing public spaces and gatherings as potentially hazardous, it makes sense to feel nervous about reentering even the familiar places and settings we typically enjoy! Some experts have even coined the term: “re-entry anxiety” to explain our conflicted feelings. As in any new situation, anxiety and stress may be at least partially soothed by awareness, communication, and self-care. Part of awareness is being compassionate towards ourselves—we are doing our best with a difficult and unprecedented situation; communication involves expressing our needs to others—for example, letting our friends and family members know when we need a little breathing space; and self-care can look like taking social interactions slow, working our way up to pre-pandemic levels of socializing to get used to being with people again. Check out some more specific tips for handling COVID anxiety this fall. Hang in there!
Warmly,
Perspective I
|
|
|
|
Dear Drained and Confused,
Great question! I think we are all going through something like this right now. The most important thing to remember is you are not alone. Many feel this way even if they do not always say it out loud. Let’s acknowledge that this “new normal” is still pretty far from the pre-pandemic normal. It may cause us to feel sadness, frustration, confusion, or any number of emotions. But we can have compassion for all these feelings, and there may be a great relief in sharing them with others. Remember, we are in this together!
In solidarity,
Perspective II
|
|
|
|
|
So what is case management, exactly? What is offered in a case management appointment?
Case management appointments offer help with finding and accessing community resources and navigating the United Health Care student insurance portal.
Questions one might ask in a case management appointment:
-
How do I find a therapist that takes my insurance?
-
Where can I find support groups for anxiety, trauma, depression, and other concerns?
-
How can I access remote counseling resources?
-
How can I find affordable therapy options?
- What resources are available for me as a student on campus?
Questions like these and many others can be addressed with staff counselors in brief 25- to 30-minute case management visits. Appointments can be scheduled through the Patient Portal. No prior appointment necessary!
|
|
|
As daylight savings time approaches, now might be a good time to think about a sleep schedule. As we "spring forward" on March 14th we may need some time to let our sleep schedule catch up. Here are some tips on sleep hygiene and other factors that can improve sleep.
- Discover Your Sleep Hygiene Needs: Sleep hygiene is similar but not the same for everyone. Find an individual wind-down routine that works for you.
- Eliminate blue light. This means cutting out screen time (even with night settings) at least thirty minutes before bed.
- Stick to a stable bedtime and fixed wake-up.
- Limit time awake and in bed: If not sleeping after twenty minutes, leave the bed and try a calming activity such as reading, elsewhere.
- Limit caffeine and nicotine, especially pre-bedtime.
- Limit naps or take them earlier in the day.
- Plan to cease physical exercise at least three hours before bed.
For more tips on sleep, check out this article from Harvard Medical School.
|
|
|
|
