Welcome to the Addy Minute
Wellness tips to consider this holiday season and a preview of more exciting projects coming in the new year
My Journey
From behind the scenes to podcast host
Welcome (finally!) to my inaugural newsletter. For those of you who follow the Addy Hour podcast, you know these newsletters have been a while in the making. If you’re a newcomer to the podcast, or heard about me through other means, I’m grateful that you’ve landed here!
In these bimonthly newsletters, I look forward to giving you a glimpse into my journey as a scientist, mentor, professor and mental health advocate. I’ll weave in my experiences as a sometimes-reluctant leader, a community member and a person of faith. In each writing, I’ll also include practical mental health wellness topics and tips applicable to your daily lives. This newsletter will provide a way for me to keep you updated about upcoming podcast episodes and other initiatives. But most importantly, I look forward to engaging with you, and I welcome your feedback, thoughts and reflections along the way.
In a spirit of reflection, I feel compelled to start with gratitude. I’ve been deeply encouraged by the way so many of you have engaged with the podcast and my presentations, town hall conversations, and workshops over the past few years. It’s heartwarming to read your emails, hear your thoughtful questions and discuss your joys and challenges around so many important life and mental health topics. It’s my sincere hope that these conversations impact your lives in a positive way.
If I’m completely honest with you, this entire experience still feels surreal. Operating in visible, “high profile” spaces is something that I actively sought to avoid – at least for a while. For most of my life, I have preferred to work behind the scenes. In our initial 2018 Town Hall conversation with Lecrae, I felt content in my role as a convener, planner and organizer working in partnership with many wonderful people and offices on campus. But I’ve also been blessed with friends, family, mentors and advocates (some who are reading this newsletter!) who’ve pushed me beyond my comfort zone. You all encouraged me to fully enact my vision – even if that meant stepping out from the background.
As I continue to share my successes and challenges along this journey, I hope that it encourages you all as well.
Wellness Tips
Happy or Distressing Holidays?
As we continue in the holiday season, it’s common to hear or utter phrases like “Happy Holidays,” “Happy Hanukkah,” “Merry Christmas,” “Happy Kwanzaa,” and “Happy New Year.” While I don’t know the history behind these phrases, I often find myself pausing as I say them to friends, colleagues or even strangers in the grocery check-out line.
Like so many people, I enjoy the holiday season. It’s refreshing to see people slow down to reflect and celebrate time together at gatherings and parties. At the same time, my empathetic side reminds me that this is a difficult time of year for many people. I know several people who lost loved ones over the last few years – some were expected (but by no means easy) as loved ones struggled with chronic illness; others were sudden.
Navigating the holiday season without that friend or loved one can be difficult, especially with all the reminders of their presence that we may experience during this time. For some of us, family gatherings brim with tension. For others, gathering with those we’d like to may not be possible for a host of reasons.
When I think of the many experiences people may be navigating this year, it feels shallow of me to simply say, “Happy Holidays” or “Merry Christmas.” On the other hand, I still want to acknowledge this season of celebration and spread a spirit of thankfulness, celebration and joy.
Keeping this in mind, I share some resources for all of us – whether we find the holidays joyous, challenging, or a mixture of both:
Take time to check in with friends, family or loved ones who find this time of year challenging. You don’t need all the solutions – there’s power in simply asking how they’re doing, and then taking time to listen.
For those living with mental illness, mental health challenges can intensify during the holiday season. Be open to support from trusted friends, family or mental health professionals, if needed. Additionally, here are some helpful links:
My 2019 Newsday op-ed, “A challenging season for those with mental illness”
A helpful article on Mental Health During the Holidays, from the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Another helpful article “Grief and loss throughout the holiday season,” from the Mayo Clinic
Even if this is a hard time of year for some of us, we can still be altruistic and reach out to others. Studies show the beneficial health and mental health benefits of altruism and caring for others. This spirit of altruism is something that is also common to many of our faith traditions.
A Look Ahead
It’s been a few months since we released a new Addy Hour episode. Starting in the new year, we’ll be back to a regular schedule of new episodes on unique, engaging and practical topics. Look out for conversations on burnout, immigration and mental health, service to others, youth culture, science and faith, and artistic representation of Black and Brown bodies in society.
I’m blessed to interact with people from many different walks of life. These interactions and conversations continue to inform my work and efforts on multiple levels. In that spirit, I look forward to sharing more new projects with you in the new year.
Stay tuned!
Appreciate your inner dialogue. Don't underestimate what you tell yourself about yourself. If someone recommends "setting a daily intention", to me, it's about being your own coach and your own source of positivity. It makes a huge difference, especially during the ups and downs.
Let's all say peace be with you.