With increasing challenges in life these days, including a pandemic and now civil unrest at the nation's Capitol, many people may be at a loss on how to process the many emotions they are currently experiencing and wonder what to tell their kids. WEMU's Lisa Barry talks with Ann Arbor psychologist, author, and University of Michigan lecturer Dr. Robert Pasick,who shares some practical advice about how to feel okay when everything around you continues to feel like it's not.
Dr. Robert Pasick says it is unprecedented for us to be under this much stress and duress for this long of a time period, due to the coronavirus pandemic and now a political uprising at the US Capitol building. He says socializing and connecting with others is typically what he recommends to combat stress but admits that is difficult to do during a pandemic.
Dr. Passick says helping others is one way to take your mind off your own problems, and he says taking a moment to feel gratitude for what might be going right in your life despite all the tragedies is another.
As an experienced psychologist, Dr. Pasick says he believes President Donald Trump is exhibiting the same characteristics as a megalomaniac dictator and sometimes his behavior is deranged. He said that concerns him, and it could lead to future dangerous demonstrations or protests by his supporters.
When it comes to children being exposed to all of life's challenges right now, Dr. Pasick says it's best to keep as much of what is going on away from children 7 or 8 years old or younger. He says if they are exposed to the news or what is happening, be willing to talk to them and answer any questions they might have.
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— Lisa Barry is the host of All Things Considered on WEMU. You can contact Lisa at 734.487.3363, on Twitter @LisaWEMU, or email her at lbarryma@emich.edu
