Making Mental Health a Priority in 2024
Grace Weatherby
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2023

Making Mental Health a Priority in 2024

While ‘get in better shape’ is often at the top of many New Year’s resolution lists, there is good reason to consider giving ‘get in a better headspace’ equal billing in 2024.

According to the American Psychological Association, more than a quarter (27%) of U.S. adults say that stress has an impact on the quality of their daily life.

Commit to daily self-care

As the New Year begins, make time for doing one thing you love every day. Even just 10 minutes of doing one thing just for you—from taking a walk and reading to knitting or sitting quietly—can boost your mood and give you a valuable sense of control.

Build and keep connections

Spending time with others creates a sense of belonging that can help you cope with stress. Getting together with friends, people at a house of worship, or even through community volunteering, connecting with others helps make us feel valued and supported.  

Get active

Because there is a recognized connection between physical and mental health, it’s worth considering adding regular exercise to your list of mental health must-dos. Being physically active can:

  • Improve mood
  • Help with emotion regulation
  • Improve sleep
  • Increase focus and attention
  • Reduce risk for depression and anxiety

Keep on top of your physical health

Staying healthy can improve your emotional well-being. Be sure to keep up with regular health appointments and screening. If you are due, get vaccinated. Try to keep to a regular sleep schedule—this benefits your mind and body—and eat a balanced diet low in fats, salts and sugars. (For tips on healthy eating on a budget, click here.)

Spend time outdoors

Spending time outside connecting with nature has been shown to lower the level of cortisol, a stress hormone. While 10 minutes outdoors produces the effect, 20-30 minutes is associated with the biggest drop in cortisol levels.

Get out of your comfort zone

Trying new things and going new places is a great way to expand on your ability to deal with change while building your life experiences, skills, and self-knowledge. You don’t need to go bungee jumping; maybe try a new food, visit a museum you’ve never been to, or go hear a band you know nothing about.

Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’

Sometimes the easiest way to reduce stress is to not take on more than you can handle—or to stop doing things that don’t bring you joy. There’s no shame in not cranking out two dozen cupcakes for the bookfair just because you did it last year. Or to taking a pass on that coffee date with the friend who only dumps their emotional baggage on you and never asks how you are. And if you’re one of those people who simply hates to say ‘no,’ remember that when you say ‘no’ to others, you’re say ‘yes’ to yourself.

Of course, you don’t need to tackle all these things the first week of the year (talk about stressful) but do try to do at least one to begin with and then try more as your stress levels drop. Even small changes can have a huge impact on your mental health and happiness.

 

Allison Niemi, MD, is a family medicine physician based at the SVMC Pownal Campus

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What to Expect During Your Outpatient Visit

Now that cases of COVID-19 in the state have plateaued and Governor Phil Scott has given the go-ahead to resume elective procedures, the physicians and nurses at Southwestern Vermont Health Care are eager to provide the elective procedures that were postponed at the onset of the pandemic.

At the same time, we recognize that we need to implement enhanced precautions to ensure safety. See news about the universal safety precautions we are taking here.

Two areas in particular, outpatient surgery and diagnostics (which include the lab and imaging departments), have put additional precautions in place to ensure patient and staff safety.

Outpatient Surgery

3 – 4 Days Before Procedure. Patients will be given directions to get a drive-up swab test for COVID-19. The test should be conducted 3 – 4 days before your surgery. There is no out-of-pocket charge. Patients are given a cloth mask and are asked to wear it and self-isolate until surgery. Results for most tests are expected to be negative. Your surgeon will be in touch with you if there is a positive result. Procedures for those who have tested positive will be rescheduled.

Day of Procedure. Patients should come to the procedure alone, unless they need to be accompanied for safety reasons. Both patients and companions should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital. They are screened for symptoms at the main entrance. Patients will be given a medical-grade procedure mask to wear once they are checked into the unit.

Post Procedure. After the procedure, we will continue to be available to you. You will be provided a link that can be accessed via your cell phone or Internet. The link includes a brief questionnaire to help us assess your progress and guide you to a smooth recovery.

Diagnostic Imaging and Lab Work

Like those receiving an outpatient procedure, every imaging patient will be screened over the phone before arriving at the hospital. Lab patients with appointments will also be pre-screened on the phone. All patients should come for lab and imaging alone, unless a support person is needed for safety reasons. Patients should wear a cloth face covering to the hospital and for the entire duration of their stay. Patients are screened again at the main entrance.

Patients will notice some changes in the waiting rooms. Chairs have been spaced 6 feet apart to comply with social distancing. Reading material has been removed to discourage touching things that have been touched by others. In addition, the exam rooms are being deep cleaned after every patient, and the waiting rooms and high-traffic areas are disinfected hourly.

The clinical professionals at SVHC are confident that these measures, along with continued social distancing, will allow patients to receive the care they need in a safe and timely way.

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