Some strategies for handling mental health and stress from @drjennytaitz and @dr_fraga (and Julie's guest speaker, her cat, Squirrel) during @TimHerrera's panel happening now:

Everyone's nervous system is in overdrive right now, says @dr_fraga. Anything you can do to maintain your mental health matters: sleep more, do things that you enjoy, exercise—even if it's just a short workout.

. @drjennytaitz says that it's normal to feel overwhelmed right now. You need to normalize your feelings. Don't feel guilty for how you're feeling and don't judge yourself.

. @drjennytaitz We don't need to judge ourselves for not feeling things deeply. "You don’t need to change how you feel."

. @drjennytaitz "Our minds can derail us." Rather than multitasking with your worry, batch your worries like you batch your emails.

Delegate your worrying to a time and place. Allocate a time when you focus on your worries — schedule 10-20 minutes for worrying into your calendar

. @drjennytaitz recommends allocating a time to focus on your worries — it sounds treacherous to spend 10-20 minutes worrying, but it allows you to give yourself permission to be free for the rest of the day. It’s clearing up your headspace.

. @dr_fraga says that times like this reveal your support systems and how you know how to handle stress.

You need a support system. Give yourself and others space to talk about what’s going on.

Whatever makes you feel cathartic works.

Examples: journaling, online groups, etc

Advice for staying focused from @drjennytaitz: try to stick to a regular cycle. Give yourself breaks and actually enjoy them.

It's so normal to get distracted when doing anything. The key is not getting distracted, it’s in how many times you come back.

To get motivated and focused, they recommend:

• Get started on something that you know is going to elicit a positive response.

• Accept that certain days are going to be harder. Give yourself permission to let it go.

It's okay if you have bad days. This moment doesn’t define everything.

Your values are what shine during times like this. Are you willing to persevere?

Your work — and your self-esteem — can't hinge on how many assignments you sell.

Disentangle the work you do from your identity, @TimHerrera recommends.

Think of your job as a verb rather than a noun.

Don't tie the thing you do for money to your identity. Your work doesn’t affect who you are or your self worth.

If you're feeling guilty about doing well during a pandemic, @dr_fraga recommends turning that guilt into inspiration.

Guilt tends to shut down our ability to think about other options. Remember that if things are going well for you, they probably are for others too.

If you (like me) are having a hard time setting boundaries between work and life, you need to set a physical separation between where you work and where you live. It also helps to have different devices for different things.

@TimHerrera recommends: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/23/smarter-living/what-not-to-do-work-computer.html

If you're feeling panicked about money as a freelancer, @drjennytaitz says it's crucial to "dim the panic light."

She recommends expanding your options so you've got other things you can rely on. (obviously easier said than done)

"Envy is an emotion that points us in the direction of our desire," says @dr_fraga.

If you are envious of other people, it's likely just a sign that you'd like to have what they have. You can use that envy to start working toward a new goal.

@drjennytaitz says that it's normal to have periods of feeling uncreative.

"If your creativity has dried up, ask yourself, what would I do if I felt creative right now? Then go do that."

Sometimes putting in the work can even spark creativity.

Deadlines have never been more flexible, says @TimHerrera. Tell your editor if you’re struggling with a deadline. Editors are experiencing the same stress and anxiety you are. Be upfront: we are all dealing with the same thing.

Overall takeaways from today's panel:

• Set aside time to acknowledge what you're feeling
• Be companionate to yourself. Don't judge yourself for feeling a certain way.
• Try to stick to a regular schedule
• Find a source of support - friends, family, pen pals, etc.

• Play with your creativity outside of work (art, music, etc.)
• Reflect on your successes, wins, and positive feedback
• Set boundaries between work/life by protecting physical spaces
• Disentangle the work you do from your identity
• Give yourself & your goals flexibility