Seasonal Stress Management Blog
Hi! I’m Dr. Franssen. Or maybe you should call me Catherine, because in my blogs, you’ll get to know me a bit better.
Anyone who’s ever been cornered by me at a cocktail party can attest to the fact that I am utterly fascinated with the science behind stress, seasons, parenting, productivity, and pretty much everything that makes life interesting. In this blog I answer questions, reflect on personal and professional challenges, and share insights from my expertise. In short, this is neuroscience for everyday life.
If I haven’t written about something you care about yet, please reach out! I love answering questions.
Athletes’ 4 most common mental health concerns
Mental health support isn’t just for those who are dealing with crises and diagnosable disorders. Student-athletes deal with incredible challenges and need help navigating their mental burdens in approachable ways.
Isolating While Sick
When you’re sick, you feel terrible and you really don’t want to interact with anyone. But you have obligations to work, school, family, community, and so on. You’re supposed to be places and do things, but you just don’t feel up to it. Why do you feel bad when you’re sick, why do you want to isolate, and how do you navigate those important decisions to do the right things when feeling ill?
Insomnia
While many people acknowledge a bit of missed sleep or tiredness, few realize how much sleep they are missing and how big a problem it may be. Insomnia may be affecting every part of your life, whether or not you know it.
How to make mental health days more effective
Imagine this scenario: You’re overwhelmed by stress at work and you take a day off. You come back to work refreshed, but the stressors are still waiting. Within hours of returning you feel further behind and more overwhelmed than before the time off, erasing the positive effects of stress management. How do we break this cycle and take a mental health day that actually helps?
Loneliness and the Stress of Being Alone
Winter is a time of increased social isolation and loneliness. Travel barriers from weather and illness increase our isolation this season. And even those of us who typically enjoy being alone feel the absence of others more acutely after the intense social connections of the holiday season. Why is isolation a stressor for us? What is loneliness?