Kathleen A. Christie, LCSW

For some, the prolific coverage of COVID-19 may feel overwhelming and could provoke anxiety that feels unmanageable. Monitor your intake of media and follow the concrete steps the CDC has developed for protecting yourself in all areas of your community (link below). And remember that we are all one community. Cultivate gratitude. Be gracious to yourself and the community around you everyone is carrying a little more stress than we can see. Take a deep breath. And wash your hands. (And in case you do feel like you need help, telehealth (on screen) is a safe and effective way to continue supporting your emotional well being.) https://www.cdc.gov/coronavi/2019-ncov/community/index.html

A recent exercise I've been using with a variety of clients is to challenge them to do something they love everyday. I took a moment to check in and see if I, myself, do this and was really motivated by bringing an awareness to how much I do each day that I love but don't always take the time to cherish: visit the river in my backyard, stare into the forest of trees, brush my teeth, climb into bed at night, show up for the work I'm honored to do with amazing humans everyday, share a laugh, savor something delicious... Do you do something you love everyday?

What fun! Good people, good fun, good outdoor adventure - it's an equation for good mental health!

Sullivan Allies Leading Together Like the page. Love the work. A great community effort to multiply the impact of those supporting all our needs!

I'm so grateful to have this representation of what is possible when strength, hope, vulnerability and connection help balance life's moments of challenge, despair, fear and isolation to share! Tune in tonight at 7pm and every Monday. And remember that you, too, have the power to strengthen someone else's next moment by sharing your story, asking for and appreciating help, or being willing to quietly sit next to someone who is feeling alone. Thank you, The Kingfisher Project and WJFF Radio Catskill!

Grateful to be able to share this beautiful community resource: Blue Christmas Worship Service White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church Sunday December 15 @ 1pm... Refreshments and fellowship to follow the service This is a service for those who feel at odds with or estranged from the general feeling of joy and happiness typically associated with this time of year. These may be people who have suffered a personal loss: death of a loved one, divorce, illness, or job loss. The service seeks to comfort them by reminding them they are not alone and that their feelings are honored.

"The Holiday Season" can cause people to feel stressed simply by acknowledging it. Give yourself the gift of mindset for the next couple of months by focusing on your gratitude, choosing to be with people who allow you to shine, and not overextending yourself. Remind yourself that this is a season of warmth, joy, and love. For many, maybe even you, there can be unseen challenges. Extend compassion to yourself and others - better than any black friday (I refuse to capitalize...) deal, this is a FREE gift for all!

Check out this video to understand all Soul Inscribed has to share with you tomorrow night! Free access to this experience and musical talent is a gift! Family friendly, engaging for all ages! Thank you, Bethel Woods Center for the Arts for making this possible! https://vimeo.com/mykult/soul-inscribed

Joy is a gentle and available choice!

This has been really helpful for many with whom I'm working - and for me! Maybe it will help you... CREDIT: Beth Kanter SHARED BY: Eric Booth Thanks to ALL!

Catch some health today: get outside for a little movement and sun! As little as 15 minutes of persistent movement can have positive impacts on a range of physical and emotional health factors (so imagine what 30, 60 or more minutes could do!) and that big, glorious, yellow globe of beauty in the sky letting all it's rays out for you today??? Catch some of what it's throwin' on your skin, and turn cholesterol into Vitamin D! Grab a meditation, call a friend, turn off the screens, drink more water, laugh, list all the individual feelings you've felt for the last 24 hours and try to feel the appreciated ones more in the next 24 hours. Give yourself a hug.

In addition to my private practice, which offers telehealth, I'm grateful to also work to support those healing from the illness of addiction through telehealth work with Lionrock Recovery who is launching free online COVID-19 anxiety support groups in addition to their existing line up of 12 step and other free online substance use disorder support groups. Connect for good!

Great consolidation of resources!!! Activities, virtual museum visits, full performances... The Great Wall! Thank you, Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre! Let this also ignite a game of "Eye Spy" ... I spy with my little eye... SO many people helping keep the community safe, calm, and cared for! Order that take out, purchase that art from a local artist you've been considering, do extra cartwheels in front of you elderly neighbor's house when out on a socially distanced walk for a smile.. or downright chuckle!