40 LONGISLANDPRESS.COM • JANUARY 2021
OPTIMIZING MENTAL HEALTH IN THE NEW YEAR
Since the U.S. Food & Drug Administration
approved two coronavirus vaccines
last month, the public should do
its part to fight the pandemic by rolling
up their sleeves and getting the shot,
experts say.
Healthcare workers, nursing home
residents, first responders, and other
essential workers are among the first
on the list to receive the Pfizer or
Moderna vaccines that prevent against
contracting Covid-19, and in the coming
weeks and months it will become more
widely available. But in order for it to
slow the spread, enough people need
to take it.
“We are at the very beginning of the
rollout of the vaccine and we do hope
the general population will buy into
getting the vaccine,” says Dr. Thierry
Duchatellier, chief of cardiology at
Mercy Medical Center in Rockville
Centre. “This is a landmark period
in healthcare where a tremendous
amount of effort and science has been
put into a process that
normally takes years.”
While hypertensive
heart disease has proven
to be the underlying
medical condition with
the highest mortality
rate among coronavirus
patients in New
York State, the doctor
notes that studies show
Covid-19 is also causing
damage to cardiovascular
systems in patients
without preexisting cardiac
conditions. This is
among the many reasons
he advises his patients
to get vaccinated against
the virus.
“We hope that the population
does understand
that one way we are
going to control this
pandemic is by being
immune,” he says. “Eventually
when you have enough people
vaccinated you reach a point
where you have the herd immunity,
where enough people have
been vaccinated where the virus
no longer spreads as rapidly
between people.”
He is concerned that many
people remain skeptical about
taking the vaccine. Studies have
shown about half of people in
the tristate area wouldn’t take
it. That’s concerning at a time
when the virus is entering its
second phase, hospitals are
filling up again, and the public
has grown complacent about
basic preventative measures,
such as wearing masks and not
attending gatherings.
“If you have doubts, ask your
physician,” he says. “There’s a lot
of misinformation but … the benefits
to me outweigh the risks.”
WORK OUT
“Ten to 30 minutes a few times a week
is enough to make a difference in your
mental health,” says Prianca Naik, an
M.D. and life coach in Garden City.
The mental health payoff can be huge.
Exercise boosts energy, enhances sleep,
and builds self-esteem, not to mention
adding physical benefits. Make getting
six to nine hours of sleep a priority as
well.
IMPROVE YOUR DIET
Nutrition plays an important role in
our mental health, says Lin Sternlicht,
a licensed mental health counselor
and co-founder of Family Addiction
Specialist in Manhattan. Nutritional
deficiencies have been correlated with
mental health issues such as low mood,
anxiety, and stress. Eating a healthier
whole foods diet — one that consists
of unprocessed and unrefined foods
— can improve not only your physiological
health but your psychological
well-being.
CONNECT WITH PEOPLE
“It is hard with the pandemic, but texting,
calling, or Zooming with others gives us
a sense of support and belonging during
this isolating time. Human beings need
a sense of tribe and community for their
well-being,” says Naik.
Better still, set a New Year’s resolution
and connect it with another person or
group.
“This can help you achieve your goal or
resolution because you motivate each
other,” says Rachelle Scott, M.D., medical
director of psychiatry at Eden Health in
Manhattan.
FIND A HOBBY
Find a healthy way to de-stress regularly.
“If you want to read, knit, learn how to
play chess or listen to music, dedicate
five to 10 minutes a day several days a
week and you will be able to achieve
your goals,” says Naik. “ Doing something
outside of work and household
chores is an easy way to do something
for yourself.”
COMMUNITY CARE
This can be you taking a friend out for
coffee, asking someone to keep you
company, or volunteering at a soup
kitchen.
“Community care has its basis in collectivistic
support and can allow you
to practice compassion, empathy, and
appreciation,” says Joicy Salgado, a psychotherapist
in Valley Stream.
EXPLORE YOURSELF
Choose a safe place such as therapy,
support groups, journaling, or spiritual
guidance, where you can express
yourself.
“When we keep it all inside of us, it
can get messy and heavy to hold,” says
Salgado.
BE MINDFUL
Practicing mindfulness doesn’t have to
mean sitting in stillness for 30 minutes to
get rid of uncomfortable thoughts.
“It’s about purposefully connecting
with ourselves in the present moment,
wherever we go,” says Kendra
Kirane, director of creative arts
therapy and wellness at Wellbridge
Addiction Treatment and Research in
Calverton. “Mindfulness can lead to
self-compassion and insight, qualities
that seem especially vital after such a
stressful year.”
MEDITATE
Studies show that regular meditation
practice helps reduce stress.
When life feels especially uncertain,
it can be helpful to connect
with the basics: Sit and feel yourself
sitting, breathe and experience each
breath cycle.
“For beginners, set a goal and routine
that can be experienced successfully,
such as five minutes per day,” says
Kirane.
BE THANKFUL
“Take a few minutes to list what you
are grateful for while you’re brushing
your teeth each morning, or jot it down
on a bedside journal,” says Naik.”Doing
this consistently makes us appreciate
the life we already have and increases
fulfillment.”
REACH OUT
Don’t suffer in silence. Turn to a friend,
relative, health care professional or
counselor.
PRESS HEALTH
continued from page 39
COVID-19 VACCINE TAKE THE BEST SHOT
Dr. Thierry Duchatellier
/LONGISLANDPRESS.COM
