Psychology Today: Kristen Lee (SSW’00) Shares Unexpected Strategies to Promote Mental Health
The COVID-19 pandemic has redefined mental health, particularly in the ways it’s addressed in both formal and informal settings. In a short list of creative approaches for boosting your mood, BU School of Social Work alum Kristen Lee (MSW’00) breaks down the barriers people are likely to set between themselves and positive mental health.
Excerpt from “8 Slightly Quirky Ways to Reclaim Your Mental Health” by Kristen Lee, originally published on Psychology Today:
“The pandemic has put our wellness regimen to the test. Given the nature of what’s at hand, creative approaches—backed by science—are warranted:
- Worry less about what anyone thinks.
This is stellar wisdom in general and the guiding principle when attempting to enact unconventional strategies. It’s better to risk looking foolish than feeling bad.
- Find a metaphor that captures what you’re going through.
Therapists are known for providing metaphors to help their patients explain phenomena, process emotions, and maneuver difficult circumstances. Creating abstractions can help us see stress from a different vantage point, enhance our ability to illustrate our emotions and experiences, and convey our needs.
- Don’t shy away from humor.
If you can’t crack up at times, you might crack. Humor is seen as a protective factor toward resilience. Being silly and irreverent can provide needed diffusion of tensions.”