How to Have A Meaningful Vacation?

In This Together Sumi Raghavan, a clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William Paterson University, has a mental guide for desis to beat the pandemic

Plowing through the pandemic has not been easy. A study by the Pew Research Center stated that minority groups, including Asian and Black communities, have reported facing racism since the pandemic hit. Other studies also suggest that there has been a surge in racist attitudes toward

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people of color. Often, socio-economic disparities in minority communities are tied closely to lack of health care access, including care for mental health issues. The U.S. Department of Health’s Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) stated that communities of color experiencing structural racism have been more vulnerable duringthe pandemic.. In an interview with SEEMA, Dr. Sumi Raghavan, a South Asian American clinical psychologist and assistant professor of psychology at William Paterson University, discusses issues involving mental health and minorities.

Raghavan, who focuses on the cross-cultural aspects of mental

health in her practice, discusses how the socio-economic milieu is crucial in determining the disproportionate impact of a crisis like the COVID-19 pandemic on people of color, and what folks can do to care for themselves during this unprecedented time.

Per the Economic Policy Institute, people of color make up for at least half of all essential workers – health care workers, grocery store and general merchandise employees, workers in production and food processing industries, maintenance workers, and drivers, among others – which leaves them more exposed to COVID-19.

“It is a difficult time to be a frontline essential worker. You’re exposed to more risk, often working longer hours with less support, Raghavan said. “Many of the resources we’d normally access in non-pandemic times are not available to us, but it’s especially important for front line workers to take care of their mental health and wellness,”

“First, a daily mental health scan – when you get home, check-in with yourself,” she said. “The way you might scan the body for aches and pains, scan the psyche… Are you feeling down? Anxious? Physically tense? Tired? Do you find yourself getting short with people or feeling like you don’t have emotional energy or space for things? These feelings are normal, but you can’t work on them if you’re not aware. Then, communicate with somebody – perhaps a work buddy who shares some of your frustrations or understands your working conditions. It can be validating and reduce emotional isolation to hear somebody say, ‘yes, that’s happening to me too.’”

Dr. Raghavan suggests to bring in something “positive or pleasant into each day,” like spending time outdoors, taking breaks during the workday to step outside. -- “Even a few minutes of activity or fresh air can reduce stress, she said, adding that steering clear from news, social media, or potentially triggering information during breaks could also prove beneficial.

It has become far more common to express racist views and sentiments since the coronavirus hit. In April, NBC News reported that at least 30 percent of Americans had witnessed someone blame Asians for the coronavirus.

“Psychologically, being on the receiving end of bigotry and racism can elicit a variety of reactions including shame, anger, a sense of isolation and othering, and helplessness,” Raghavan said. “There is evidence supporting race-based traumatic stress that is similar to PTSD; people can feel hypervigilant and emotionally numb.” She added that finding allies and support from people who can validate your experience can reduce isolation, she said.

Finding a therapist of color who deals with racial and ethnic issues will be fruitful when looking for professional help or counseling, Dr. Raghavan said. “While we know that the majority of therapists are white, there’s increased awareness of the need for culturally and racially matched therapists,” she said. “There is a Black Psychologists Association and Asian American Psychologists Association, both of which maintain directories of licensed therapists of color.”

According to an American Psychiatric Association report titled “Mental Health Disparities: Diverse Populations,” health care providers’ lack of cultural understanding may contribute to underdiagnosis and/or misdiagnosis of mental illness in people from racially/ethnically diverse populations. Some factors that contribute to such misdiagnoses include language barriers between the patient and the provider, stigma about mental illness in minority groups, and cultural presentation of symptoms.

The pandemic has aggravated conditions such as depression. A total of 70% of Southeast Asian refugees receiving mental health care were diagnosed with PTSD, according to the U.S. Office of Minority Health. Suicide was the leading cause of death among Asian Americans between the ages of 15 and 24 in 2017, long before the pandemic hit, according to the U.S. Office of Minority Health.

A September survey by the American Medical Association’s JAMA network showed that Americans in general exhibited more depressive symptoms during COVID-19 than before the pandemic. Asians saw an 18.7% spike in symptoms of depression during the pandemic, the survey reported.

Economic stressors such as low-income wages and lack of job security, among others, are some of the most pressing issues for minority communities. When it comes to the informal sector, people of color are overrepresented and therefore are more vulnerable to layoffs. “The economic stressors during the pandemic can be very frightening, particularly because of the intense uncertainty.” Raghavan said.

She suggested working with a financially savvy friend or a family member to help ensure effective budgeting and seeking help with domestic responsibilities from friends and family.

“Have friends help with childcare or ask somebody to drop off a meal once in a while. Communities of color have long-standing social scripts for these behaviors partially borne out of economic precarity,” Raghavan said.

As the pandemic continues to take a toll on us, taking one day at a time and marshaling on is the way forward.

“Above all, remember that you are in a highly unusual and extreme situation and try to practice self-compassion: you don’t have to function the way you did pre-pandemic, Raghavan said. “You just have to function.”

The pandemic has thrown all our well-laid travel plans out of the window. But there are other ways to break the monotony and have a fulfilling vacation

Do you remember when you desperately needed a break from schlepping to work or whatever other monotonous things that made your routine?

Now it appears that one needs a vacation from the sheer monotony of the home having become an allin-one space. Consequently, lock-

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downs and shelter-in-place mandates have also made the yearning for travel that much more intense. Yet, among the several things that the pandemic has taught us, the foremost has been about not taking things for granted. Travel is bound to look very different this year but that does not mean there cannot be meaningful travel experiences.

For most of us, the changed travel perspectives has meant examining how we live and travel, taking into account the carbon footprint of air travel and the consequences of climate change on tourist destinations. Fortunately, there are some fantastic ideas for making travel safe and relaxing, and they come with an added feel-good factor. From road trips to countryside picnics, from staycations to house-swap-

ping, the sky is the limit.

ROADTRIPPING

The best way to leave home without leaving the safety of your quarantine bubble is, of course, to take it with you. Pile into a car with your loved ones, and stay away from others as far as possible by minimizing stops in public places and socially distancing when you do. From the legendary Route 66 to the leisurely Blue Ridge Parkway or the sun-drenched Overseas Highway, there’s an option for everyone. If more isolation is what you required, head to Nevada to traverse the Loneliest Road in America, and visit the UFO region while at it.

Many hotels and rentals are implementing rigorous COVID protocols to keep customers safe – such as sanitizing surfaces or even leaving rooms empty for days in between customers. Still, it is probably best to do a little research in advance, and maybe bring along some sanitizer to be as confident in your safety as possible. An alternative to staying in such shared spaces is an RV, which takes care of both meals and wheels for the entirety of your trip. You will probably still want to make your eating stops at outdoor camping spots, though. As always, any good road trip requires an abundance of snacks, so stock up before you leave. Then roll down your windows, play some loud music, and remember to have fun!

Picnic or outdoors

If elaborate planning is not your thing, then there are plenty of places nearby for picnics, something that is badly underrated. Not only will this remove the stress of having to find hygienic accommodation but also

take away the hassle of having to find dining options.

So pack some eclectic eatables, either homemade or sourced from the nearest trustworthy bakery or deli, and you are all set. Do not forget to pack a cozy blanket or those handy camping chairs. Head for the nearest park, beach, waterfall, woodsy area or any other stunning location and kick back for a few hours or even the entire day to get some meaningful travel experiences. Several places are already adapting to the new conditions, and providing facilities to accommodate visitors.

CAMPING/GLAMPING

Roughing it out is not for everyone. But then again, there is also glamping, or camping that has gone posh. While campgrounds are the preferred places, it is even better to camp in the backwoods where safety is assured though it might require a bit more effort. The effort of strapping everything up and backpacking into the wilderness in search of the perfect spot does take some effort, but the rewards are well worth it.

Take your pick from such scenic spots as Heart Lake in Yellowstone National Park and North Cascades National Park in Washington. But inquire ahead of time since these places have their own rules and set of accessible facilities, so make sure you are not caught on the wrong foot after traveling the distance. For those who want the camping feel but do not really take well to the rusticity of a tent, some campgrounds offer cabins. For those who prefer their modcons intact, look out for such places as Cozy Glamping in Oregon, and Cherry Blosson Yurt on Lookout Mountain in Georgia.

STAYCATIONS

Staycations are always a good way to break the monotony of work and routine. But now more than ever, they are the overwhelming favorite. While exploring your own town or backyard like a tourist might be the obvious step, mix it up a bit with jumping in your vehicle and heading to a hotel, homestay or AirBnB at a spectacular location. Stay in and minimize contact. But choose wisely so there is enough diversity and variety to the routine. This can work well as a workcation too if you have the luxury and privilege of working from home. Opt for places such as Atlanta or Portland, which offer the best of nature and urban life, so you can choose what you want to do and how much you want to mingle.

NATIONAL PARKS

For those who love traveling and have had their travel plans quashed these last few months, things cannot be more frustrating. And that feeling of getting stir-crazy is all too real. So why not take in some natural beauty? For every well-known national park in the U.S., there are several more that are less known and hide incredible treasures – such as Congaree National Park in South Carolina, or Katmai National Park and Preserve in Alaska. It is likely that something spectacular is right next door or at least within a few hours’ drive. Any which way, you are sure to rack up some meaningful travel experiences. Make sure you carry marks, wipes and sanitizers, and do check ahead for opening times and changed guidelines in view of the pandemic.

HOUSE-SWAPPING

By far, this is one of the most exciting ways for a break. This could be trip and staycation rolled into one. Of course, this presupposes the fact that you have like-minded people amenable to the idea. The idea is just that – swap your home with your friend’s for a certain duration. Not only does it bring the novelty of a new place but there are so many things to explore and do there, even with pandemic restrictions in place. If you live in different towns or even several hours away, as long as you can drive to each other’s places, this should be a good break. If you are a bit more adventurous, then sign up on one of the many house swap sites such as homeexchange.com and lovehomeswap.com d

5 New Books for the Holidays

Looking forward to some great reading during the break? Here are some recently released books handpicked just for you!

Looking to add some new books to your ever-growing reading list? Getting into the habit of reading can seem daunting, but anyone can transform into a bookworm with the right book. Very soon, you’ll start consuming page after page without even noticing how time passes by!

To help you rekindle your love for reading, we’ve collated a list of some recent titles, which should be on your reading list this season:

WHITE IVY: A NOVEL BY SUSIE YANG

Credits: Goodreads Genre: Literature & Fiction Release Date: November 3, 2020

The prize-winning Chinese-American author brings another coming-of-age novel that showcases the life of a young immigrant who moves to Boston. Ivy Lin, the book’s central character, is a young woman with a dark obsession with her privileged classmates and resorts to thieving in her effort to fit in. The book follows her journey and focuses on the conflicting feelings that resonate with most immigrants who have moved to a different country.

Image Credits: Satsang Foundation Genre: Spirituality Release Date: November 5, 2020

A Padma Bhushan awardee, Sri M is known to bring to fore some great stories of the spiritual realm, and his quintessential no-holds-barred style has won him several fans. The upcoming book combines short stories that help you delve deeper into the human spirit and get a glimpse of a world far beyond the one we live in. The book will not just highlight the positive aspects of spirituality but also some intriguing storylines. Can a thief ever give up his old ways? What happens when a disciple finds a dark secret about his guru? These questions and more will be answered in this book.

BINDU GOPAL RAO THE HOMECOMING AND OTHER STORIES BY SRI M

EATING IN THE AGE OF DIETING BY RUJUTA DIWEKAR

Image Credits: Amazon Genre: Health & Fitness Release Date: November 16, 2020

Rujuta Diwekar is a well-known name among South Asians for her insights that have helped her clients become fit and dramatically lose weight. A fitness consultant for Bollywood celebrities and other elite clientele, Diwekar, in her upcoming book, talks about her fitness mantra, ‘Eat local, think global,’ which is all about blending grandma’s wisdom with the latest nutrition science. The health advocate mentions how, instead of going by trends and quick-fix diets, long-term lifestyle choices and an understanding of superfoods, health tips, and seasonal food choices ensure sustainable good health for all. So if you are ready to embrace a change in lifestyle that can do wonders for your health, this book is a must-have.

Image Credits: Goodreads Genre: Science Fiction & Fantasy Release Date: November 24, 2020

If you are someone who is fascinated by all things futuristic, Ready Player Two is the ideal book. The sequel to the worldwide bestseller “Ready Player One,” which was released in 2011, the new book takes you through the unexpected quests and new realities of the future. As per the author, the upcoming book will have a different storyline, bringing in new elements. The book has garnered more attention because the first installment inspired the Steven Speilberg movie of the same name released in 2018. Fans are waiting for another film in the series.

Books can add great value to your life and help you understand various perspectives and enhance your thinking. If you like this list or have recommendations that we should know of, please comment below!

READY PLAYER TWO BY ERNEST CLINE

A PROMISED LAND BY BARACK OBAMA

Image Credits: Obama Book Genre: Biography & Memoir Release Date: November 17, 2020

The former US president is still one of the most popular global figures, largely due to his acute understanding of global politics and opinions. Barack Obama puts together this first volume about his presidential years, taking the reader on a journey, from his earliest political days to being elected the 44th president of the United States. The book chronicles the journey of the first African-American to become president. and provides insights into some of his tenure’s most important decisions.

If you would like to get an inside view on what it’s like to live in the White House, manage the most daunting of responsibilities, and enjoy moments with the family despite it all, this book is highly recommended.

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