Pandemic | Catching Health with Diane Atwood

A conversation about aging with a soaring senior

Rita Losee describes herself as a Woman of adventure, Doctor of Success, Proponent of Prosperity, InspirACTional Speaker, Author. She is that and more. Decades ago, she made a promise to herself that she would live a life of adventure. What a ride it has been and she is not even close to slowing down. At 78, Rita is also doing her best to encourage people to follow her lead. Instead of thinking it's all downhill from here, you could be a soaring senior — just like Rita.

By dianeatwood|2020-09-15T07:56:25-04:00September 14th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

The doctor will see you now — by video

With the explosion of COVID-19 in the United States, we've also seen an explosion of telehealth programs. If you can't go see your doctor in person, how about an online visit?

By dianeatwood|2020-09-11T11:38:27-04:00September 10th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Now it’s my turn

All Nancy Marshall's mother wants is a hug, but because of COVID, it hasn't been possible for months. Nancy writes about the frustration, sadness, and guilt she's been feeling.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-31T15:02:17-04:00August 31st, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|1 Comment

Coping with the pandemic has its highs and lows

Most of the time I think I'm doing ok, even better than ok. I don't really mind staying home and have plenty of projects to keep me busy and opportunities to connect with other people. But out of the blue, I can suddenly feel almost overwhelming sadness and despair. One minute the sun is shining and the next, it's a downpour.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-27T15:34:51-04:00August 27th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|2 Comments

Lessons from abroad and from here in Maine

Dr. Dora Anne Mills takes a look at what has been happening with the pandemic in other countries and reviews lessons learned both abroad and closer to home. She warns that this fall and winter could be very challenging, but she also shares some motherly advice.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-24T19:27:12-04:00August 24th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Tarts full of sweetness and a few life lessons

What lessons could this mouth-watering pastry teach other than sometimes it's ok to indulge in sweetness? One might be that you shouldn't be afraid to tackle a project you think you'd never be able to do. Don't hold back. Learn some Kitchen Lessons from a pro.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-21T13:55:20-04:00August 21st, 2020|Pandemic|0 Comments

COVID-19: Our actions matter

As deaths from COVID-19 climb upward, it is on track to become the third leading cause of death in the U.S. for 2020. Our actions can move us in either direction, says Dr. Dora Mills. Our actions matter.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-28T09:00:02-04:00July 28th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

COVID-19 in 2020: Cleaning up from atop my soapbox

How do we make sense of what we know about COVID-19? What's true, what's not? How do we cope with our new realities? If we can't change things on a grand scale, what can we do in our corner of the world? These are a few of the questions Nancy Flagg has been pondering lately.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-27T09:57:09-04:00July 27th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

How to wear and care for your mask

You might think it's pretty straightforward. Put on a mask when you'll be around other people and store it where you can find it for the next time. Only there are some important steps and tips that you should know about. Here they are.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-24T17:52:19-04:00July 24th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

The importance of being in control

It's challenging enough for people with chronic conditions to manage their health and navigate a complicated healthcare system. Because of COVID, many people are isolated and disconnected, which creates even more challenges. Harnessing the power of artificial intelligence, a program called Ibis is helping people stay connected and manage their health from home.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-20T13:41:32-04:00July 20th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Will your relationship survive the pandemic?

COVID-19 has changed our personal relationships in a big way. We are separated from some of the people we love and thrown together 24/7 with others. Either situation takes its toll. In this blog post, we look at the stress too much togetherness can cause and offer some professional advice.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-17T05:17:01-04:00July 16th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

COVID-19 Maine update on reopening schools

Is it safe for schools to reopen in the fall? At this stage of the pandemic, there is no way to know. We can, however, learn from the experiences of other countries. Dr. Dora Mills makes some comparisons and looks at what scientists understand so far about COVID transmission in school-aged children.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-14T21:08:08-04:00July 14th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Enjoying challenges, staying grounded

For Tim Hayes, the COVID-19 pandemic became a reality on a Friday the 13th. The school he works in closed and within a matter of days, everything was happening online, including counseling students, which is what Tim does. From time to time, he's also had to do a bit of self-counseling. Either way, he always offers a blend of compassion and optimism.

By dianeatwood|2020-07-06T08:13:22-04:00July 6th, 2020|Pandemic|0 Comments

Cultivating Mindfulness in Turbulent Times

We are certainly in the midst of turbulent times, but how do we cultivate mindfulness? What does that even mean? We get some answers from Anne Gosling, who teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Just what we need!

By dianeatwood|2020-07-04T11:30:00-04:00July 1st, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Researching during a lockdown

Out of the blue, soon after we began staying at home because of COVID-19, I received an intriguing email from a retired librarian who lives in Newfoundland, Canada. This is a story about why she sent me an email and what she has been doing to cope with the pandemic.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-27T10:23:22-04:00June 26th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Embracing the positive

"We teach best what we most need to learn." A quote that has helped guide Patrica Raskin throughout her life. She wears many hats, but in her job as a radio show host, she learns a lot from the people she interviews. What interests her most is how to maintain a positive attitude.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-26T10:46:06-04:00June 25th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Trying to stay connected from afar

Bill Saltzer lives in Maine and the rest of his family is scattered around the country. Seeing each other in person was already difficult. but because of COVID-19, it's now an impossibility. His son writes about the challenges of trying to stay connected.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-24T09:48:02-04:00June 22nd, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

How staying at home can lead to back pain

If you've been staying at home because of the pandemic, do you find yourself being more active or less? Either way, you may be putting yourself at risk of hurting your back. Here are some prevention and treatment tips from physical therapist Jason Adour.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-22T16:24:52-04:00June 20th, 2020|Fitness, Pandemic|0 Comments

Structure, purpose, and activity

Everybody has a story to tell about how they are coping with the pandemic. This one comes from my brother-in-law Russ, who writes that among other things, riding his bike and creating art help keep him on firm ground.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-15T16:35:43-04:00June 12th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|4 Comments

Motivation to move!

Been a little lax when it comes to getting regular exercise? You're not alone. Some people have figured out a routine that works for them, but others are struggling. If that's you, here's some motivation and a few how-to videos.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-11T14:25:25-04:00June 11th, 2020|Fitness, Pandemic|0 Comments

COVID-19 Maine update 6/8/2020

Dr. Dora Anne Mills usually informs us about the current situation with COVID-19. But in this update, she writes about the connection between the pandemic and the recent protests and where it might lead.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-24T19:08:36-04:00June 9th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|1 Comment

Pejj Nunes and her Shibui Found Image Art

Follow the lines, the shapes, the colors in this image. When I do, I am mesmerized and calmed. The image was created by Maine artist Pejj Nunes, who wants to teach her method as a form of art therapy. It's called Shibui Found Image Art and because of COVID-19, she now has to develop a different way of teaching than she had planned.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-05T10:53:40-04:00June 5th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

The good, the bad, and the wild

George Smith, the consummate outdoorsman, now spends most of his time inside. Because of COVID-19, yes, but also because he has ALS. I'm sure George has his moments, but he manages to meet them with grace and humor.

By dianeatwood|2020-06-03T07:12:45-04:00June 3rd, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Opening up about re-opening

This is a story about finding humor in a complicated, confusing, anxiety-provoking situation. Determined to go by the book when she re-opened her acupuncture practice, Meret Bainbridge was blindsided by something unexpected that happened. She invites us all to laugh with her.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-29T17:05:10-04:00May 29th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

A challenging time

Dr. Fred Craigie teaches and writes about spirituality and says he often talks about what it means “to live a good life.” He contemplates his own answer to the question during these extraordinary times.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-27T18:32:59-04:00May 27th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

What grief is teaching all of us

For some people, the grief that COVID-19 has wrought is painfully apparent. Serious illness, death, unemployment, isolation, severe anxiety, depression. But even people who seem to be doing ok are feeling grief. Dr. Katie Eastman, a psychotherapist, says right now everyone, including her, is grieving the loss of something or someone.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-21T21:53:45-04:00May 21st, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|2 Comments

COVID-19 Maine update 5/18/2020

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.

By dianeatwood|2020-08-24T19:07:21-04:00May 18th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments

Being a human is hard

Do you ever have feelings that you don't know how or what to name? For instance, you miss the way life used to be before COVID-19. You worry about what the future holds. But what are you feeling? Sadness? Anxiety? Fear? Yes, to all but you may also be experiencing grief, something Beth Dolloff understands all too well.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-18T10:31:39-04:00May 18th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|1 Comment

Life under lockdown: The introvert’s ideal

Life these days is challenging for all of us, some more than others. Roxanne Jones realizes that she is among the more fortunate. And for that, she is grateful.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-15T20:38:28-04:00May 15th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|2 Comments

Becoming an ‘I’

When you are someone who loves being around other people, the thought of being isolated for weeks on end might be unbearable. But Charlie Grindle, a self-avowed extrovert, has discovered some of the upsides.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-14T08:54:24-04:00May 14th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|3 Comments

COVID-19 Maine Update 5/12/2020

As COVID-19 continues to spread around the world, including in Maine and the rest of the United States, the information we receive can sometimes be misleading and/or confusing. That's why it's important to get it from a trusted source. One of mine is Dr. Dora Anne Mills.

By dianeatwood|2020-05-12T09:26:25-04:00May 12th, 2020|Health News, Pandemic|0 Comments