Family Talk Blog

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Staying connected during a pandemic

Dr. Paul | May 05, 2020 |

Social distancing and stay at home orders can make it easy to feel disconnected from the people most important to us. Staying connected with friends and loved ones is critical to our well-being, whether you’re a social butterfly or an introvert. Although the pandemic has changed the way we interact and connect with others, there’s proactive steps we can take to keep from feeling isolated.

Q: I’m feeling really disconnected from my family. What can I do to stay connected?

Last weekend my daughters and grandchildren held a video dance party. My son-in-law in New York played... Read More

Managing sustained stress

Dr. Paul | April 28, 2020 |

The last few months adjusting to the “new normal” caused by this pandemic can seem like an eternity. Our bodies and minds have been under sustained stress that can impact our health and relationships. This week we examine the best ways to recognize and address sustained stress to prevent it from consuming our daily lives.

Q: As time wears on, I find myself feeling physically drained, even though I’m less active than usual. I thought I should be adjusted to this “new normal” by now. What’s wrong with me?

I woke up the other day and the muscles in my neck were all knotted. I... Read More

Maintaining healthy relationships

Dr. Paul | April 21, 2020 |

Couples are experiencing added pressures in their relationships due to the pandemic. They are spending more time together, sometimes in cramped quarters. There’s increased stress and worry with fewer ways to relieve tension. It can be a recipe for constant bickering. We need to work hard to maintain healthy relationships during this trying time. Let’s look at ways to help our relationships with loved ones stay strong.

Q: How do I nurture a healthy relationship during this intense time?

We can’t visit with friends regularly, go to our usual restaurants, movie theatres, or... Read More

Ask Dr. Paul: Tips for adapting to life at home

Dr. Paul | April 14, 2020 |

Behavioral health professionals like myself are helping people adjust to spending so much time at home. Human beings are great at adapting to changing circumstances. But a lot of us are experiencing sustained stress, which can cause mental health issues to arise. The good news is we can take simple, daily steps to help reduce the worry caused by this pandemic and improve our overall health.

Q: I seem to be feeling more anxious as time goes on. I thought I would adapt better to staying at home. What’s wrong with me?

Most of us are doing a good job at social distancing, washing... Read More

Helping families cope with a pandemic

Dr. Paul | April 07, 2020 |

The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting all areas of our lives and presenting new challenges for families everywhere. School cancellations, orders to stay home, and working remotely are forcing everyone to quickly adapt to the “new normal.” It’s important we address family issues and challenges, including stress and anxiety caused by the pandemic. Let’s look at ways to help families get through these trying times.

Q: My teenage daughter, Sarah, has shut herself in her room most of the day. I’m really worried about her. What should I do?

The COVID-19 crisis has disrupted the lives... Read More

Ask Dr. Paul: Dealing with fears over COVID-19

Dr. Paul | March 31, 2020 |

Over the last few weeks, our daily lives have been drastically disrupted. The routines, stress relivers, and human interactions we’ve become accustomed to have given way to social distancing. On top of acclimating to this new way of life, there is widespread uncertainty and concern over our health and well-being. This makes it easy for feelings of stress, worry, and anxiety to overcome us. In this week’s column, I decided to address common COVID-19 fears and the best ways to cope.

Q: I find myself consumed with worry about COVID-19. I worry about myself, my family, and my friends.... Read More

Ask Dr. Paul: Tips for a troubled time

Dr. Paul | March 26, 2020 |

We are living in a challenging time of uncertainty. With so many unknowns, it’s common to feel stressed, anxious, or overwhelmed. There are also many unanswered questions on coping with problems at home related to the pandemic. To help address these problems, here are some answers to common questions arising during this troubled time.

Q: I’m really worried about my 3-year-old daughter, Sarah. She seems to be bouncing off the walls. What can I do to help her?

Young children are emotional sponges. They absorb what their parents and older siblings feel. With COVID-19, social... Read More

Coping with the stress of the COVID-19 outbreak

Dr. Paul | March 12, 2020 |

I was at the supermarket this weekend and noticed that the store was filled with more shoppers and that many of the shelves were empty. I could feel the tension in the air, as people were preparing for the worst. Anxiety and fear can spread even more quickly than an infectious disease.

It’s completely normal to experience increased stress during an infectious disease outbreak. Listening to the news, reading the newspaper, and noticing how the world around you is reacting will likely intensify normal apprehension. Our brains have a strong bias towards perceiving potential threat. We... Read More

The art of not asking toddlers open-ended questions

Dr. Paul | March 09, 2020 |

Several weeks ago, my wife and I were able to help our daughter when she was delivering her new baby boy. I took care of our 3-year-old granddaughter when my daughter went into labor. My wife attended the birth. On January 31st, Simon, at over 9 pounds and 23 inches came into the world—no doubt, at that size, a future linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks!

I got to spend a lot of time with my 3-year-old granddaughter and observe her family’s interactions with her. Toddlers are the coolest creatures around. They are curious about everything— “Grandpa, why can’t I go to the hospital to... Read More

Maintaining a healthy relationship with your partner

Dr. Paul | February 21, 2020 |

The other day a friend, who experienced several deaths in her family this last year, sighed and said to me--“At least my husband is the man of my dreams 99 percent of the time.” Wow, that’s a high score. Naturally, I wondered how my wife might rate me.

I had to ask her. She took a long pause (which made me nervous) and told me that I was the man of her dreams 96 percent of the time. I was amazed. I didn't expect such a high mark. A few days later, I forgot to do something she asked me to do, she remarked, “Watch out buddy, you’re slipping down to 85percent.” We both laughed.

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