Month: May 2020

2020-05-11T17:29:00

(BPT) – Our nation is sharing in an experience with the COVID-19 crisis that will serve to reshape the future of our communities, our work, our families, and each and every individual. With so much attention focused on the diagnosis and treatment related to the virus, we recognize that those feelings of isolation, depression, anxiety, and even substance use may impact substantially more of us than a COVID-19 diagnosis.

Nearly half of American adults report that the COVID-19 crisis has affected their mental health, according to recent polling by the Kaiser Family Foundation. Meanwhile, Mental Health America’s (MHA) free, anonymous screening tools have seen a 70% increase in individuals taking their anxiety screen, and a 64% increase in the number of people taking their depression screen between January and April of this year.

During this public health emergency, it is important to take care of ourselves, support one other and spread the message that “you are not alone.”

You are not alone

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is partnering with Anthem Inc., one of the nation’s largest health benefits companies, on a month-long campaign focused on reminding all of us that ”You Are Not Alone.“ May is National Mental Health Month, and together, NAMI and Anthem, Inc. are focused on the power and necessity of maintaining social connections and well-being during a time when many are physically distanced from each other.

As NAMI CEO Daniel H. Gillison, Jr. shared, “Especially during this time of isolation, uncertainty and tragedy, it is vital that no one feels alone in their mental health journey.”

He continued, “The COVID-19 crisis not only shines a spotlight on our need for social connectedness, but also our need for real mental health resources. To support individuals during this crisis, NAMI is raising awareness to change our fragmented mental health system into one that serves everyone, so people can get the care they need.”

“Caring for ourselves — physically and emotionally — is critical to improving lives and communities,” said Dr. Prakash Patel, executive vice president and president of Anthem, Inc.’s Diversified Business Group. “During this challenging public health crisis, it’s important to know there are resources out there, whether through your employer, healthcare provider or community organizations, to help us get through this difficult time. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as our physical health. This month is a great reminder to take care of ourselves, as well as each other.”

Caring for yourself, caring for others

To take charge of your mental health during the current crisis:

1. Care for yourself. Recognize the importance of “me time” and carve out a part of each day to do something that rejuvenates yourself — listen to a podcast, do yoga, connect with a friend, or just go outside for a breath of fresh air.
2. Seek help if you need it. Talking to a friend or family member is a good start, but professional mental health services may also be necessary. The earlier people seek help, the better their results. While going to see someone in person may not be possible, telehealth offers a way to talk to a professional while practicing physical distancing. If you are thinking about harming yourself, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, which can provide free and confidential emotional support in times of crisis.
3. Explore community resources. There are many valuable and often underutilized resources available. These include Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), which are offered by many employers and include free therapy sessions and telehealth, as well as digital resources, like the mental health resource site, Psych Hub. And you can contact NAMI for nationwide peer-support and resource referrals, by phone (800-950-NAMI) or email (info@nami.org).
4. Support one another. Caring for others is one way to care for yourself. Call an older adult who may be experiencing loneliness, text a friend who’s working long hours, or join your family or friends for a video dinner. A simple gesture can go a long way for you and for them.
5. Talk about it. Let people know that they are not alone. Your experience matters. Taking time for yourself? Share your #MeMinutes, whether on social media, using the hashtag, or with others in your community. Sharing your own self-care routine may encourage others to care for themselves, too.

Sharing your personal experience engages others and fosters acceptance and awareness around mental health, and encourages others to take the steps to access treatment and support during difficult times. You are not alone.

For more information, visit www.nami.org.

2020-05-11T09:01:00

(BPT) – It’s your heart. Don’t hesitate.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, doctors urge you to not delay seeking treatment because of COVID-19 concerns.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors across the nation are reporting a sharp decline in patients coming to the hospital for heart attacks and strokes. These conditions don’t stop during a pandemic, and the decline has doctors worried that many people experiencing symptoms may not be seeking treatment, or that they are seeking treatment only after their condition has worsened. Delaying care could pose a significant threat to your health.

“Heart attacks and strokes required emergency care before the COVID-19 pandemic, and they continue to require emergency care now,” said Sean D. Pokorney, MD, MBA, Assistant Professor of Medicine in the division of cardiology at Duke University School of Medicine. “If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your doctor or call 911 now, as you may need immediate care to save your life.”

Contact your doctor for these heart attack & stroke symptoms

You may be having a heart attack if you have symptoms such as:

• chest pain
• difficulty breathing
• discomfort in your chest, arms, back, neck, shoulder or jaw

You may be having a stroke if you are experiencing:

• numbness, weakness or loss of movement in your face, leg or arm, especially on one side
• loss of balance
• confusion, including trouble speaking or understanding

Health experts urge you to contact your doctor or call 911 if you are experiencing any of these symptoms.

Hospitals have safety measures in place to protect you

Patients may be understandably nervous about going to a hospital during COVID-19, but hospitals have implemented many safety measures to protect you from coronavirus. These facilities are ready now to safely care for you if you are experiencing serious health issues.

“Hospitals are doing everything possible to ensure the safety of patients who need critical care,” said Pokorney. “With all of these measures, going to the hospital is probably at least as safe as going to the grocery store. Certainly the consequences of not seeking timely care for heart attacks and strokes are far greater than the risk of COVID-19 exposure in the hospital.”

Facilities have implemented routine screening procedures to evaluate if any visitors entering the facility might have a risk of COVID-19 exposure, even before they step foot inside the building. Many facilities are separating COVID-19 patients into separate wards or buildings to ensure other patients are protected and not exposed. Routinely checking temperatures, masks and protective equipment for healthcare workers and other staff are some of the other measures that help to ensure a safe environment.

Waiting now can cause complications later

Bad news doesn’t get better with time. Delaying treatment for a heart attack or stroke can have serious consequences, causing a bad condition to worsen and making recovery more difficult. For some patients, postponing care can be the difference between life and death.

“I’ve talked to patients who are experiencing symptoms of a heart attack or warning signs for sudden cardiac death and some are choosing to take their chances at home,” explained Pokorney. “The unfortunate result is that those patients may die at home or have worse long-term outcomes from the delays in care — and that’s avoidable.”

The recovery period after a heart attack may also require critical care. “A heart attack is a potential risk factor for sudden cardiac arrest, a life-threatening condition that occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating,” said Mary Newman, Executive Director of the Sudden Cardiac Arrest Foundation. “If you’ve had a heart attack, your doctor can help to determine if you are at risk and can discuss treatment options to keep you safe. But they can only help if you follow up on your symptoms.”

If you are having symptoms of a heart attack or stroke, getting care quickly is critical to your treatment and recovery. When you seek help immediately, the care you receive is more likely to be lifesaving, you can likely get better more quickly, and you can limit the damage to your heart and your overall health.

2020-05-11T08:01:00

(BPT) – While spending so much time at home, you may find yourself becoming more connected online than ever before. To communicate with the people you care about, you strive to find community and connection by posting personal photos and videos on social media daily — making it increasingly important to protect your online privacy and safety.

Finding connection through photo and video sharing is particularly relevant to moms, who often take on the role of family historian. In this increasingly digital world, sharing photos and videos from our lives can help foster connections with our loved ones. However, most people lack a simple solution to privately share content with only those we choose.

Pictures speak a thousand words

People overwhelmingly use photos and videos to share and communicate, as they reveal so much about our experience, memories and outlook on the world. When you can’t be close to those you love, sharing those memories and experiences with them through your photos or videos is the next best thing. Photos and videos can also help us revisit our favorite memories, invoking warm feelings of nostalgia. Many of us rely on social media to share life’s special milestones with our wider networks, but there are some moments that are only meant for those who matter most to you.

Furthermore, storing and organizing your photos and videos can be challenging. You store so many of them on your phone, laptop, SD cards, social media and cloud accounts — they’re all over the place. How can you find the ones you want, when you want them? How can you be sure they’ll still be there?

Digital dilemmas

Everyone struggles with these issues. Face it, digital chaos is a universal problem today. You may think that storing everything on the cloud is the solution, but it doesn’t solve the issue of organization.

The solution for the family historian

These digital dilemmas are searching for a solution. A reliable and convenient option to share your memories with your family and friends is to use a physical device, in your home that acts as your own personal cloud to store your photos and videos: ibi™ from SanDisk^®.

You set up your ibi device at home by simply plugging it in and downloading the app — then let it do the rest. ibi is a device that lives in your home, so you’ll be confident that you know where your most cherished memories are being stored, and you’ll have full access to the content that matters to you most.

This smart photo manager provides:

• 1 terabyte storage space¹
• Storage for 250,000+ photos² or 100+ hours of HD videos³
• No monthly subscription fees

Not every memory is meant for a wide audience. With your ibi device, you have the control to privately share your photos and videos with the friends and family members who you choose. Like having your own private social media account, the ibi companion app lets you create your own “inner circle” of close family and friends who you can privately share with or create albums together. Just share the private link or post directly to your app’s inner circle to have your own place that functions like a social media page for the people closest to you.

You can use ibi to back up photos and videos from your compatible⁴:

• iPhone and Android mobile devices
• Mac and PC
• Social media and cloud content
• USB hard drives and flash drives

Your photos and videos can be organized using the ibi app, by date and/or other organizational categories, making it easy to find them when you want them.

A family affair: Relive life’s precious moments

If you’re feeling lonely without the warmth of your friends and family, share and revisit your special moments with ibi. The smart photo manager brings your photos, videos and favorite people together, all in one place.

What could be better than enjoying your photos and videos on your phone, tablet or laptop? How about viewing them on your TV, so the whole family can enjoy them together? This Mother’s Day, many moms won’t be able to experience the joy of being physically together, but ibi can help her relive her most treasured family moments. Just download the ibi app on your compatible screen casting platform to take a trip down memory lane, an experience everyone in the household will love. Though traveling may be limited, your family can revisit those captured memories and take a virtual trip back to those special places.

Keep busy during this time by organizing all your treasured photos and videos. Then you can stay in touch with those you care most about by sharing your favorite memories.

To learn more about storing and organizing your important memories smartly, visit Meetibi.com.

This Mother’s Day, in partnership with Good Housekeeping and Woman’s Day, ibi from SanDisk is hosting a contest to honor some of the hardest-working moms as they are scrambling to balance work, childcare and a new way to manage their daily lives. We’re inviting all moms to share a snapshot of their lives through a photo or video by May 24, showing an inside look at the reality of motherhood in the face of a global pandemic. Moms can submit themselves or you can nominate any special mom in your life. There will be 100 moms selected to receive an ibi to help stay connected with family and friends and a $300 gift card to assist with essential items and ease the financial burden that many families are facing. To learn more about the campaign and submit your content please visit Meetibi.com.

¹1 TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user capacity less.

²Based on a 13.75 MP, JPEG image with an average file size of 3.5MB. Examples of the number of photos that can be stored are provided for illustrative purposes only. Your results will vary based on resolution, content, file compression, file format, file size, host device, pre-loaded files, settings, software and other factors.

³The number of hours for videos is based on the 1920*1080 Full HD @ 30fps, 145MB/min, DV format. Examples of the hours of video that can be stored are provided for illustrative purposes only. Your results will vary based on bit rate, content, file compression, file format, file size, host device, pre-loaded files, resolution, settings, software and other factors.

⁴Social Media or Cloud account registration may be required. Social Media and Cloud services may be changed, terminated or interrupted at any time and may vary by country.

2020-05-09T07:01:00

(BPT) – As recent months have demonstrated, stress is unavoidable. Now more than ever, it’s important to understand stress and how we can manage it. While stress can be beneficial, too much of it can be harmful. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) Office of Research on Women’s Health explains a bit about the science behind stress, provides several simple steps that might help reduce it and has a webpage, https://go.usa.gov/xvydm, with some resources available to help.

When the body senses a threat (or stressor), it goes on high alert, and once the threat passes, the body quickly recovers. At least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. Stressors can include health matters, work, money, family issues, racism or gender inequality, and regular daily hassles. With unrelenting or too many stressors, your body might be on a constant state of high alert, leading to poor concentration, bad moods, professional burnout, and mental and physical health problems. When stress becomes chronic, the body cannot return to normal functioning. Chronic stress can be linked with health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression and anxiety.

Stress affects women and men differently. Many conditions associated with stress — such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety — are more common in women than men.

Beyond sex and gender differences, there are individual differences, too. Some people are more resilient than others. Stress affects them less or more temporarily, and they might even perform better under stress. “There’s a saying, ‘It’s not how far you fall; it’s how high you bounce.’ For those of us who don’t bounce back so easily, there’s good news. Resilience, to some extent, can be learned and there are some simple, practical things that people can do that may make a noticeable difference,” says Dr. Janine Austin Clayton, Director of the NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health. Clayton explains that some resilient people might also develop a greater appreciation for their lives, family, friends or other matters after stress.

Stress management and resilience building are particularly important to the health of women. Here are several tips to help women as well as men:

1. Recognize and counter signs of stress. Your body sends signals that it’s stressed, including difficulty concentrating, headaches, cold hands, tight muscles, a nervous stomach, clenched teeth, feeling on edge, fidgety, irritable or withdrawn. Knowing how your body communicates can help you deal with stressful moments. Learn to not only recognize but also to name these feelings, either to oneself or to a friend. Then, take action to counter their effects. For example, deep breathing, stretching, going for a walk, writing down your thoughts and taking quiet time to focus can help induce relaxation and reduce tension.
2. Take time for yourself. Make taking care of yourself a daily routine. It’s not selfish or self-indulgent — and it might require saying “no” to requests or prioritizing yourself along with your responsibilities. Start with small changes in your routine to help build resilience to stressful circumstances. Work in time to exercise, eat healthy foods, participate in relaxing activities and sleep. In fact, including a regimen of exercise, which for some may include yoga or meditation, can be very important when feeling stressed. Also, take time to notice the “good minutes” in each day or to do something that you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music, which can be a way to shift your attention and focus on the positive rather than the negative.
3. Try new routines. From scheduling bath and bedtimes to blocking off time to plan and prioritize tasks, additional structure can provide a daily framework that allows you to attune to your body’s signals. Then, you can take steps to potentially manage stress earlier than you once did.
4. Stay connected and make new friends. Stay in touch with family, friends and groups in your life — technology makes this easier than ever. Having or being a person to talk with can be reassuring and calming. Using video features can enhance the connection in telecommunication or online communications for some people.
5. See problems through a different lens. Experts call changing the way we think about and respond to stress “reframing.” View sitting in traffic or around the house as an opportunity to enjoy music, podcasts or pleasant views. Reduce anger in response to rude or aggressive behavior by imagining what might be happening in that person’s life. Keeping situations in perspective is an important way to boost stress resilience. Other steps include positive thinking and creating plans before you begin to resolve problems. You can practice reframing and get better at it over time.
6. Seek help with problems. Many people experience the same day-to-day strains related to caregiving, relationships, health, work and money. Look to friends and family, as appropriate, or other trusted individuals or resources for tips and information.
7. Talk to a health professional if stress is affecting your well-being, you feel you cannot manage the stress you’re experiencing, or stress has caused you to engage in or increase substance use. Seek appropriate care if stress is harming your relationships or ability to work. If you have suicidal thoughts, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Lifeline chat is a service available to everyone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, if you need help locating a mental health provider, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers a site that can assist you at https://findtreatment.samhsa.gov. People who have experienced traumatic stress (directly or indirectly experiencing life-threatening and dangerous events) should find a treatment provider who practices trauma informed care — see https://go.usa.gov/xvydm for details. Additionally, in times of disasters and other sorts of emergencies, the National Disaster Distress Helpline (Call 1-800-985-5990 or text “TALKWITHUS” to 66746) can provide crisis counseling, emotional support and referrals to care related to disasters and public health emergencies.

Recognizing individual signals of a body’s stress responses and learning to respond to those signals in new ways can help build the emotional, intellectual and physical strength that comprise resilience, which can help you tackle future stressors.

The NIH supports research to understand how stress affects health — and why some are resilient to stress while others have difficulties, as well as how different therapies and resilience-boosting techniques work and have a positive effect on health and well-being. The NIH Office of Research on Women’s Health offers links to information about stress (including anxiety about the coronavirus), wellness, tips on managing common sources of stress, and opportunities to join research projects on stress or other health matters at https://go.usa.gov/xvydm.

2020-05-08T14:01:00

(BPT) – Ready to level up your entertainment game? With a little creativity, you can use the everyday items in your home to transform your gaming space into the ultimate entertainment zone. We’re talking game room, dance floor and classroom all in one.

And all you need is your gaming console. That’s right — it’s good for way more than gaming. Did you know you can use it to stream all of your favorite music and podcasts, too?

Whether you’re looking to get into your gameplay with the Top Gaming Tracks, bust a move to Today’s Top Hits, or sit back and tune into the Best Podcasts of the Week, you can use your console to stream Spotify if you’re actively gaming or not.

Here’s how to set it up and start jamming out:

How to set up on PS3, PS4 and Xbox One

If you have a PS3, PS4 or Xbox One and a Spotify account, you already have all you need to listen to your favorite songs, podcasts and playlists.

The first step is to download the Spotify app. Once you’ve done that, you can log in one of three ways:

1. Use Spotify Connect to link your app to your device. (More on that here.)
2. Enter your email address and password.
3. Select “Log in with PIN.” Then, on your phone or computer, go to www.spotify.com/pair and enter the PIN on your screen. (This option is not available for PS4.)

Pro tip: If you don’t have an account already, you’ll be able to create one by selecting “SIGN UP” on the app. Free and Premium users can stream through their PlayStation console and Xbox One.

Bonus round: PlayStation users can link their accounts to automatically log into Spotify wherever they log into their PlayStation™ Network account. Or you can link your accounts here.

How to start playing on PlayStation and Xbox One

Select Xbox and PlayStation games allow you to listen to Spotify while you play. For the best of both worlds, disable the in-game music (if your game allows) while you stream and add your own music.

Here’s how to play your selected music or podcasts:

1. Press and hold the PlayStation or Xbox button on your controller to bring up the menu or guide.
2. Select “Music” or “Spotify.”
3. From here, you can skip songs, play, pause or adjust the volume.

Second bonus round: PlayStation users can also share what they’re listening to while playing with their friends and teammates during select games. Using the controller, press the “Share” button, then select “Share Music,” then choose from “Recently Shared,” “Now Playing,” “Recently Played” or “Recently Saved.”

Listen with friends on Discord

You can listen, game, chat and party all at once with Discord — as well as see and play what your friends are listening to. Plus, Premium users can even listen together with Listen Along.

To get started:

1. On desktop, download the Discord app and open it.
2. Click “Connections” in the menu on the left.
3. Click Spotify.
4. A web page will open to connect. If you’re not already logged into Spotify on the device, you’ll be directed to log in or sign up first.
5. Once you’ve connected to your Discord account, you can choose to display what you’re listening to in real time on your profile.

If you’re a Premium user, you’ll be able to listen along with your friends. Simply click someone who’s Listening to Spotify from your list of friends on the right, and select the Listen Along icon, which looks like a person with a play button.

Pro tip: It’s not possible to Listen Along when voice chatting — use text chat instead for the best of both worlds.

Now that you’re all set up, you may be looking for something to stream. No worries, this Gaming Hub has you covered for all of your music needs. And check out gaming podcasts like Last Podcast on the Left or The Besties for all of your talk needs.