Show Notes: Episodes 25-36

Many thanks to Dr. Ali for sharing her experiences as a mental health professional during the pandemic and for providing so many practical recommendations for keeping mentally healthy during this time.   

• Learn more about Dr. Ali and her work.
• If you or a loved one are experiencing thoughts of suicide, please reach out for help right away, starting with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.  They can be reached online or by calling or texting 800-273-8255. 
• Mindfulness and meditation resources: Fragrant Heart, Calm, and Headspace  
• Help for better sleep: Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia app
• Tips for stress reduction: How to Cope with COVID-19 Stress
• Why (and how!) to set boundaries to maintain your balance: A message for people-pleasers; setting boundaries with your relatives; and setting boundaries with your co-workers, boss, and yourself 

And with so many healthcare workers struggling with the weight of the pandemic, both professionally and personally, we want to be sure to make space for resources specific to the medical community:

• PeerRx: Free peer support program for physicians and others on the care team
• Physician Support Line: Free, confidential support line of psychiatrists ready to help physicians and medical students address life stressors 
• 6 Tips for Healthcare Workers Facing Burnout
• Tips for Healthcare Professionals Coping with Stress and Compassion Fatigue

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We loved hearing about Councilwoman Agnew's journey into politics, and we hope you were inspired too! 

• Learn more about Councilwoman Agnew and what drives her here.
• Our Mothers in Politics series now has its own page!  Check out all of our Mothers in Politics episodes and guests here, and share it with a friend who you want to encourage to run for office!

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Want to see more on the science of peer interactions and how you can support your child?  Keep reading!

• The American Academy of Pediatrics Power of Play policy statement explains why play and social interaction are so important for child development.
• We can teach children how to stand up for themselves and how to stand up for others as ways to reduce bullying.
• When bullying happens, responding to it can be confusing for kids and parents alike.  Stopbullying.gov has several helpful resources.
• Teen dating relationships are a whole other topic, but here are some great strategies for teaching your teen about healthy dating and respect.
• Learn more about this week's Physician-Mom Hack of the Week!

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Ready to simplify your meal planning and school lunches?  We're here to help!

• Cooking at home may seem intuitively to be healthier than eating out, but exactly how is it healthier? Check out one of the studies we mention in this episode.
• About 30-40% of food in the U.S. is wasted -- yikes!  The meal planning tips we share in this episode will help you to cut down on your food waste.  Plus, here are some FAQs from the USDA and a guide to avoid unnecessary food waste (hint: a "sell by" date doesn't mean you have to throw it out that day)!
• Time to jazz up your sandwich repertoire? Check out this mouth-watering list from Delish.com. #10 and #58 are two of our favorites, and your kids will probably love #2!
• Going seasonal is a great way to keep your meal planning fresh and to save money on produce. Check out this guide to find out what's in season now.
• Seriously, we want to make meal planning easy for you.  And it doesn't get much easier than following one of the meal plans from TheKitchn.com!

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How does science explain the link between joy and health?  And how can you use that information to make your life more joyful?

• Here are six ways happiness is good for your health.  #2 is super relevant these days!
• Perhaps the most famous study on happiness is this study on Catholic nuns.  Listen to our episode to hear the highlights.
• Want a deeper dive into the research?  This paper is an in-depth review of how our subjective well-being (how negatively or positively we feel about our lives) relates to everything from heart health to wound healing.
• Religious faith has been a source of peace and joy for both of us.  Here is a great review of how religion and spirituality impact both mental and physical health.
• Gretchen Rubin spent a year unlocking the secrets to joy and documented her experiment in her book The Happiness Project. Check out some of her findings here!
• Did you listen to our Physician-Mom Hack of the Week and want to start a gratitude journal?  Here are some quick tips on how to start one and keep it going.

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Protect your skin so it can protect you!  Along with the tips we discuss in this episode, here are some websites with great resources:

• How to treat a sunburn: from the physicians of the American Academy of Dermatology
• Best ways to treat a mosquito bite: from the CDC  
• What sunscreens are safe for your skin and the environment?  Check out the EWG Safe Sunscreen Guide before you head to the store.

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These are tough topics that impact more people than we often realize, so we want to share resources to help you (or your loved ones) walk through the rain as you hope for the rainbow.

• FAQs on infertility from the CDC
• Grants and charities that may help to reduce the financial burden of infertility treatments
• Preparing for your first visit with a fertility specialist can feel overwhelming.  These lists from WebMD, MedicineNet, and Healthline are a great place to start.
• Do you have a loved one going through infertility or pregnancy loss? Wondering how to support them? Everyone's preferences are different, but here are helpful ideas for what to say or do (and what NOT to say do) regarding infertility and pregnancy loss.
• We talk about the Ring Theory in the episode.  Here are some resources to learn more:
  • What it is -- directly from the experts who created the concept
  • Practical ways to "comfort in" as we describe in the episode
  • Who is in your circles? Download this worksheet to put the theory into action.
• Support groups for people experiencing infertility and pregnancy loss
  • Postpartum Support International has live sessions for pregnancy and infant loss for moms and all parents.
  • Sisters in Loss provides resources and a community for Black women coping with pregnancy loss and infertility.
  • Resolve.org, the National Infertility Association website, lists in-person and virtual groups and events.
  • Verywell Family has US-based and international support resources.

Listen on Apple, Google, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts! 

How many times did we say "inspiring" in this episode? We hope you found it as impactful as we did! 

• Learn more about Pakou Hang's incredible journey here.
• Is that little voice inside urging you to consider running for office?  Or do you have a friend you'd like to encourage?  Check out the many resources on Vote Run Lead's website -- including Run/51 and Your Kitchen Cabinet -- and listen to the episode to learn how they help women run and win!
• 2020 was an amazing year for the women who ran for office with help from Vote Run Lead.  Which of these VRL alumni are heading to a statehouse or other office near you?

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Ready to jump into a healthier way of eating but not sure where to start? Do the words keto, paleo, Atkins and Whole30 have your head spinning? We've got you covered with resources you can trust. 

• From strategies for grocery shopping to tips on healthy cooking, the Mayo Clinic website is a great place to begin.
• How exactly do diets work?  (Hint: It's more scientific than "one weird trick.")  Harvard Health Publishing breaks it down for you.
• You know you need vitamins and minerals from food, but how do you know you're getting enough? And what foods contain which nutrients?  Check out the Family Doctor website from the American Academy of Family Physicians for all this and more.

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We're sharing several scientific resources to help you decide how to travel safely if you are planning a trip during the COVID-19 pandemic, along with a link related to our Physician Mom Hack of the Week. 

• First, we recognize that it is a privilege to think about travel while many communities in the U.S. and abroad continue to be ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Please consider supporting organizations like UNICEF and Project HOPE, which are working tirelessly in the devastating surge in India, increasing vaccine access in Africa, and doing other critical work to save lives.
• Are you fully vaccinated?  Here are recommendations from the CDC on how to protect yourself and others.
• Traveling within the U.S.?   Make sure to check the websites for the state, territorial, tribal, or local health department of your destination.
• Planning to travel outside of the U.S.?  International travel has risks for vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers, so make sure to review the general recommendations and to see each country's COVID status from the CDC. 
• Advice for traveling with children who are too young to be vaccinated can be confusing!  Use these "safer - less safe - avoid" tips to guide your planning.
• From the American Academy of Pediatrics, answers to a question that many parents are asking: "Does my unvaccinated child still have to wear a mask when the rest of the family doesn't?"
• Here's a helpful one-stop summary of travel recommendations from Mayo Clinic for vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, including ideas for items to pack! 
• Don't want to touch those elevator buttons or airport toilet handle?  Products like the Sani-Key are here for you!  Listen to this episode's Hack of the Week to hear more.  Not an endorsement, just something we think is a great idea!

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Looking for tips on how to find the best childcare option for your family?  We’ve got you covered with some resources that we talk about in this episode!  

• Childcare.gov has links to each state’s directories for childcare providers and educational resources for parents.
• Planning to tour a childcare center? Take this printable sheet of questions from Today’s Parent with you!
• Here are even more comprehensive lists of childcare center interview questions from Childcare.gov and Babylist.com.
• If you’re considering the nanny route, What to Expect has a great list of nanny interview questions.
• How much should you pay a babysitter or nanny? Listen to our Physician-Mom Hack of the Week in this episode and check out Care.com’s calculator.

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