Blog Posts

New Podcast: Exploring Food Allergy Families

4/25/2020

I'm very excited about this announcement. Not only does it relate to topics I am passionate about, but it's also a resource that I think will be enjoyable to listen to and learn from.

Introducing.....

So why did I create this podcast?

Well, you'll have to listen to the brief preview episode to hear that answer!

But I'll share why I think you'll enjoy this new podcast....

Exploring Food Allergy Families is a podcast with real talk, relatable conversations, and practical tips focused on navigating the impacts that food allergies have on families, mental health, and emotional well-being. Building resilience and an empowered mindset are key pillars of this podcast.

With episode lengths of 30 minutes or less, they're perfect to listen to while going for a run, walking the dog, or enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning (or wine at night)!

This podcast aims to share and explore:

"Bite size" chunks of knowledge on various topics, with tips you can use
Interviews with allergy-informed allied and mental healthcare providers
Guidance on a variety of food allergy, relationship, and life stresses
New thought processes that help you co-exist with or flip inner worry voices
Strategies to assess and address increased anxiety, emotions, and stress
Perspectives on how food allergies impact family systems and relationships
Building an empowered mindset to help gain confidence and build resilience
Honest conversations with families at various stages of their allergy journey
Reassurance that you're not alone in your thoughts and feelings
Parenting guidance to help determine if you're on track with food allergy parenting goals in different stages of development
Fun chats, because sometimes we just need to lighten the mood and laugh
And SO much more, because this is just the beginning!

Also, for episodes focused on skill-building and strategies, there will be additional follow up resources available on this website for those topics, should you want to apply and practice the concepts discussed.

So there you have it! Check out the first episode - a short preview and introduction, which explains why I decided this podcast was so important.

Then be sure to subscribe to Exploring Food Allergy Families (wherever you listen to podcasts) so you don't miss future episodes!

Trust me, you won't want to miss any episodes, especially the next one, Exploring Food Allergy Dads' Experiences, where I will share insights from the recent survey, relevant guidance/tips, and chat with one of these amazing food allergy dads!

So, let's explore food allergy families together!

Podcast Episode site: https://exploringfoodallergyfamilies.buzzsprout.com/
Podcast Info: www.FoodAllergyFamilies.com (or Podcast section on this website )

- Your feedback is a gift that I truly value, so please feel free to share thoughts, topic ideas,
or feedback on whether topics explored on the podcast have been helpful. -

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But how are you really doing?

4/8/2020

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For many of us, we're well into week three or four of social distancing and sheltering-in-place.

So we've got this whole thing down pretty well by now, and our emotions aren't quite as scattered or intense, right? NOT NECESSARILY!

Here's the thing you really need to hear: All of your feelings are normal!

There are so many changes happening on a weekly (or daily) basis, that our feelings are likely going to go through phases. Unfortunately, there's no specific road map when it comes to feelings, especially those of grief.

Image credit unknown; based on work from David Kessler

STAGES OF GRIEF:
The image above helps illustrate how our emotions might ebb and flow through this COVID pandemic. David Kessler, a grief expert who co-authored books with fellow grief expert Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, recently explored the feelings of grief we can expect to feel during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this Harvard Business Review interview, Kessler explored anticipatory grief and anxiety, and the importance of remembering that people don't move through the stages of grief in a linear manner.

What does that mean? Simply put, we can move through these stages, and suddenly find ourselves back at a previous stage. While making your way to acceptance is the ideal goal, that timeline will look different for everyone.

You may feel mentally stronger one day than the next. One week you may feel more motivated than you did the previous week. Recognize that this is normal and expected given the current circumstances, and be more patient and compassionate with yourself and others as we navigate these new, ever-changing waters.

BUT HOW ARE YOU *REALLY* DOING?
Sure, it's important to gain an understanding of expected emotional responses during times of crisis. But do you know what else is important?

Just checking in with one another and genuinely asking: HOW ARE YOU DOING?

So here goes.....

To those that are parents: How are your nerves holding up? Are you giving yourself some extra grace right now?
To the medical/healthcare providers: I see you, and I thank you! I know you’re being strong, but how are you really feeling? It’s okay to not be a strong rock at all times. So what are you doing for yourself and your wellness right now? How are you coping?
To those that are sheltering-in-place alone: How are you staying connected with others? Truly, what are you feeling these days? What do you need more of to comfort you right now?
To my mental health and counseling peers: How are you holding up? And don’t feel you have to give a “therapized” answer! Have you found it hard holding others’ emotions while navigating the same situation/feelings? What are you doing for your own well-being right now?

Taking the time to reach out to those in your world to see how they are holding up - just a bit of time to focus on others - can be a great way to step out of your own overwhelming emotions for a bit, too. Just be a listener, a supporter, and an empathetic ear to someone you think might need it most right now.

HELPFUL FA COMMUNITY COVID-19 RESOURCES:

How Food Allergy Families Can Manage COVID-19 Stress (Allergic Living Podcast)
Resources for Navigating Coronavirus Anxiety & Stress (FAC; updated weekly)
COVID-19: Helping Your Children with School (Former educator, Sharon Wong)
COVID-19 & Allergies Resource Hub (Allergic Living)
CFAAR / SOAAR's COVID-19 Resources (Center for FA & Asthma Research)
Coronavirus: What People w/Asthma Need to Know (AAFA)
Eczema, Handwashing & COVID-19: Protecting Yourself & Your Skin (AAFA)
Gratefulfoodie's COVID-19 Resource List
Food Allergy Assistance Community: Tackling COVID-19 (FB support group)

And Just Because These Reminders Might Be Helpful....

Image credit: Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC

Image credit: Emily King, PhD

Image credit: Brene Brown

Image credit: Tamara Hubbard, MA, LCPC

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Resources for Navigating Coronavirus Anxiety

3/14/2020

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By now, phrases like "social distancing" and "flatten the curve" are commonplace due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.

Bombarded with information, constant changes, and a world that's currently in a state of flux, anticipatory anxiety and worry are bound to be on the rise. Please know that you're not alone! Increased anxiety, worry and stress are natural responses in this situation, due to the unknown nature of what we're experiencing.

(NOTE: Experiencing anxiety and worry is expected, but when it becomes overwhelming, causing an inability to function or navigate daily routines, it may be best to reach out for support from a licensed clinical counselor or psychologist.)

Rather than trying to eliminate these natural worries, the goal is to work on accepting them, managing them, and navigating through them the best you can.

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed in response to the current situation, remember the basic key components of self-care right now may include:

Limiting exposure to the news, social media, or Coronavirus discussions
Increasing self-care activities and coping strategies
Creating new daily routines within current parameters
Staying connected with friends/family - don't socially isolate
Focusing on good sleep and healthy eating

If you are looking for resources that may help navigate these feelings, check out the roundup of links below. (I'll be updating this list as new resources are available)

Broken down by category or focus, these links lead to insightful information and tips to help you adjust to the unknown, manage the associated feelings/thoughts, and plan for the weeks ahead.

Coping Strategies for Stress & Anxiety: