Happy & Healthy U: The Monthly Message

 From the Inside Out: Empower Yourself to Feel Happy and in Control in Your Life It is important to recognize the importance of seeing yourself  as having power in your life or within any circumstance.  While you may not be able to control a circumstance, you always have control over your feelings and decisions and responses.  Starting with yourself with place you in the driver's seat of your life. Acknowledge: Who you genuinely are What your strengths and talents are What you want and desire; what matters to you Assess: Whether you  are being your true self The degree to which you demonstrate your strengths and talents The level of your overall life happiness   Address: Ways you can increase your authenticity Be yourself Respect who you are Recognize and reinforce your value Make yourself a priority Practice self-compassion Listen to and honor your inner voice Ways you can express and explore your strengths and talents Celebrate your best self Give self pe...

  The Importance of:   Who You Know and Who Knows You  to Reducing Isolation During the Pandemic by Diane Kern, Ph.D. of Happy and Healthy U, LLC  Acknowledge: Interpersonal connection is essential to our well-being. The social isolation that many are feeling because of the pandemic related social distancing and physical restrictions is causing significant emotional distress.    It is natural to feel down due to prolonged periods of  not seeing others not being in close proximity to others not being touched by others   Assess: Determine how not being in physical contact with others has impacted your mood. Determine how social isolation has affected the well being of your loved ones, especially the elderly. Are they (or you) demonstrating signs of depression?  Is their (or your) mental and physical functioning declining? Have they (or you) lost the will to live? Address: Reach out and connect with others; Make phone calls; Do virtual visi...

 2020 in the Rear View Mirror Moving Ahead Into 2021 As we bid farewell to year 2020, we recall the hope and possibilities we anticipated upon its dawn on January 1, 2020.  Unfortunately, that optimism was quickly dashed during the first quarter of 2020.   How do we process the COVID-19 pandemic, the racial reckoning and the economic crises that have rocked us to the core?  Let us take time to reflect and prepare ourselves as we eagerly usher in the New Year, 2021.  This reflection will be processed and presented through my "Triple A" format: Acknowledge, Assess and Address , as follows:  As we anxiously bid farewell to 2020 and eagerly welcome 2021, let us: Acknowledge: (Recognize the reality) The Negatives : That the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all of our lives That there is still significant systemic racism, racially motivated violence and racial discrimination, especially toward Black persons That the loss of jobs and income due to the pandemic is sendi...

Coping with Covid-19 Fatigue During the Holidays By Diane Kern, Ph.D. Creator of Happy and Healthy U™   As we approach the holidays, the continued disruption to our lives and restrictions of living in a pandemic for over 7 months are taking a toll on us.   It makes sense that we are tired of not knowing when this will end and feeling the fatigue resulting from living with the prolonged pandemic related stress.     With the encroaching winter season, a surge in coronavirus cases and having to retreat to indoors, the uncertainty is leading many to experience increased emotional distress in the form of increased depression and anxiety.   We can reduce the fatigue and emotional distress of this situation by embracing the upcoming holidays, instead of dreading them.   While celebrating the holidays will be very different for most of us, it provides an opportunity to break the monotony of the being on lock down.   Adjust your expectations ...

Happiness is a Journey, Not a Destination As You Travel Along the Way, Take Time To:   Notice That You are in Motion, the Process of Your Progress Focus on Your Strengths, Not Your Deficits Value Your Spirituality and the Meaningful Things Engage with the Activities That Bring You Joy Nurture Your Positive Relationships Appreciate the Good in Life, Big and Small Celebrate Your Achievements and Successes Be Grateful for and Recognize the Good that Happens Show Compassion to Yourself and to Others Pay Attention to Your Feelings and Seek to Feel Good Forgive Yourself for Past Mistakes and Learn the Lessons Be Present to the Present; Not Dwelling on the Past or Future Love Yourself and Others in Healthy Ways