Twice a year, PSIA-AASI gives awards in three categories. The three awards below are considered the Winter Awards with an application deadline date of December 31, 2020. The Spring Awards have an application deadline of April 30, 2021. We will send out an email the beginning of 2021 similar to this for those awards.
The awards have specific descriptions of what the recipient has accomplished and / or contributed to the organization. In addition, each award indicates who is eligible, who can nominate a candidate and has a link to the specific award applications. For more information click on The Snowpros link below.
The PSIA-AASI considers all applications though does not give out these awards lightly. The PSIA-AASI Western Board of Directors encourages all members to give serious consideration to either applying for themselves or someone else, who meets the standards set below. The honor bestowed upon the recipients of these awards is highly regarded and coveted. Not unlike Academy Award nominees, just to be considered for one of these awards is an honor unto itself! Thank you for helping the Western Division find and nominate worthy candidates for these prestigious awards.
Distinguished Service Award
This award recognizes those who have made important contributions that have added to the success of PSIA-AASI. These candidates have displayed long-term commitment and dedication by providing educational programming support, or by contributing to group and/or PSIA-AASI National Team efforts that involve important national initiatives. Other examples of distinguished service may include demonstrating positive leadership skills, fostering connections with and between members, or having a willingness to mentor peers – both young and experienced. Members and non-members, including staff, vendors and industry partners, are eligible to receive this award.
Who is eligible? Members, and non-members, including PSIA-AASI staff, vendors and industry partners Who can nominate a candidate? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, Committees, Divisional Boards, or PSIA-AASI members in good standing (all continuing education requirements have been met and dues have been paid) Application Deadline: Nominations are due by December 31.
This award recognizes those exceptional few members who authored PSIA-AASI educational materials over the years. They have added significantly to, and possibly even changed, the educational direction of PSIA-AASI. They have exhibited dedication, devotion and self-sacrifice contributing to the PSIA-AASI educational system, with ten years or more sustained outstanding service.
Who is eligible? Members that significantly contribute to the creation of PSIA-AASI education materials (with 10 years or more of service) Who can nominate? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, Committees, Divisional Boards, or PSIA-AASI members in good standing (all continuing education requirements have been met and dues have been paid) Application Deadline: Nominations are due by December 31.
This award recognizes exceptional members who have designed and implemented programs, projects and procedures affecting the association on a national level. They have exhibited dedication, devotion, and self-sacrifice serving in national level leadership positions.
Who is eligible? Members with 10 years or more sustained outstanding service Who can nominate? PSIA-AASI Board of Directors, Committees, Divisional Boards, or PSIA-AASI members in good standing (all continuing education requirements have been met and dues have been paid) Application Deadline: Nominations are due by December 31.
Report on Board Round Table with Membership
October 21, 2020
Greetings, fellow PSIA-AASI Western Division Members.
Last Wednesday, October 21, your Board of Directors conducted a round-table discussion for the membership, with the purpose of introducing this year’s Board as well as what the Board is focused on for the 20/21 Season. The Round Table was well attended, with over 50 participants in addition to the Board Members present.
Introduction of Board Members
Our Board is composed of 12 dedicated members of the Western Division volunteering hours of their time on your behalf.
Those Board Members are:
Greg Lyons, Chairperson
Blaine Loman, Vice Chair
Jaime Marso-Tanner, Treasurer
Tad Sheldon, Secretary
Neil Bussiere, National Representative and Vice Chair of the National Board
Artie Castro
Chris Eckert
Dan Healy
Dan Ray
Lars Ames
Lea Logal
Terry Peters
More about all of our Board Members can be found on the Western Division Website at this link: Board Member Profiles
Board changes due to new By-Laws
Greg Lyons, our Board Chair, spoke to the change in direction the Board has taken this year with the newest version of the Bylaws as approved by our membership December 9, 2020.
The Board has changed its focus from an operations focus to a strategic focus.
As recently as last year, the Board was made up of people who chaired specific operational functions, such as the Snowboard or Cross-Country Task Forces, or Special Events like the Spring Convention. The Board was intimately involved in the operations, working with our very capable Office Team to make sure the year’s events including education, certification and special events.
For the first time this season, the Board is transitioning from an operational focus and delegating the operational responsibilities to our CEO and her team so that the Board has more of a Strategic Focus, thinking about where the organization needs to go for the next few years. In addition, the Board keeps in touch with the CEO to make sure our Western Division Ends are met. This brings us to:
Our Western “Ends”
Neil Bussiere, our National Representative and Vice Chair of the Board for the National introduced the concept of “Ends” to the Round Table participants. Essential, Ends are similar to Goals and Objectives, but really dictate why we as PSIA-AASI exist to serve our members. Unlike Goals and Objectives, Ends have no end date…they exist forever, or until the organization changes its mission. Our Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and top level Ends that the Board has set for our Western Division to follow are:
VISION: Create lifelong adventures through education
MISSION: To promote exceptional standards at all levels and disciplines of snowsports instruction. Build leadership in individuals through education, training and adventure. Inspire a lifelong passion for snowsports, adventure and the mountain experience. Connect snowsports instructors of the world in order to share, learn and grow.
1.0 Broadest End: PSIA-AASI W exists so that members enjoy benefits that enhance their success as professional instructors. These ends will be achieved at a level that justifies the resources invested. The Board of Directors need to ensure the Ends are met.
Priority Results:
1.1. Members experience relevant and meaningful professional development
A. Members have access to, and use, evolving resources and educational content aligned with their development needs.
B. Members develop valuable and distinct skills via education, certification and specialist opportunities
C. Members receive expanded professional benefits
1.2. Members benefit from participating in a diverse professional community and membership base
A. PSIA-AASI W and National’s programs and services complement each other
B. Professional networking and mentoring provides inspiration and personal fulfillment
C. Members identify as part of the profession globally, nationally, regionally, and locally
1.3. Members, the industry, and the public recognize and value PSIA-AASI W education, training, and credentials as a premier standard
A. Standards evolve and are applied with consistency
B. The public values PSIA-AASI W instruction and guest experience
C. Snowsports schools and resort management benefit from instructor credentials, competence, and skillset and resources available through PSIA-AASI W
D. The organization recognizes members for extraordinary contributions through awards.
1.4. PSIA-AASI W use available resources and economies of scale
A. Expanded revenue streams and Education Foundation growth allow creation of resources for members
B. Common systems, tools, and back office efficiencies are developed, continually enhanced and implemented
C. Communication tools are developed and continually enhanced, and messaging is shared
1.5. PSIA-AASI W and National’s strategic goals align
These are the Ends the Board has set, which are delegated to our CEO, Kristi Prochazka and her team to serve our members accordingly. More detail on the Ends can be found here. Other important documents include our Bylaws as approved by the Membership, our Governance Policy Manual and the Policies and Procedures. The latter two documents are managed by the Board.
What’s on the Board Agenda
Tad Sheldon discussed what the Board has done to date, and what our focus will be on moving through the rest of the season. There are several areas:
● Our transition from an Operational Board to a Strategic Board
● Division Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (and the resultant areas the Board needs to focus on for this season)
● Supporting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work that is being done at the National Level
● Women’s Initiative Task Force, also supporting this work that is being done at the National Level
● COVID and the impact on the Snowsports Programs we may be involved in
An example of the work that has been done so far this season with the Board is the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (or SWOT). The Board brainstormed and came up with over 70 elements that fit in several categories. Once we had these documented, we prioritized and came up with a SWOT Diagram that represents where the Organization is right now.
Our 20/21 PSIA-AASI Western Division SWOT Diagram:
As you can see, much of the SWOT is focused where it should be, which is you, the membership. As a result of this, we’ve decided to focus on the following questions as an outcome from the SWOT Exercise:
“How can we otherwise increase the engagement of our membership? And how can we make our organization more relevant?”
As we work through all of these agenda items, we will report back to you regularly.
Western and the COVID-19 Crisis
Dan Healy, Board Member and Snowsports School Director at Sierra at Tahoe and Kristi Prochazka talked about what is happening with how the National Ski Area Association, PSIA-AASI and the Western Division was working on the COVID Crisis. Some of the highlights:
● PSIA-AASI Divisions’ Leadership working with the PSIA-AASI National office has spent significant time collaborating with the National Ski Area Association (NSAA) Members to support our member resorts in COVID response protocols for Snowsports Schools
● Western has appointed a COVID Medical Advisory Task Force with members who are in the medical field working the front lines of the COVID Crisis. The Goals of the Task Force:
● Conduct a webinar (to be scheduled) to further educate our Membership on what to prepare for the upcoming season
● Assist Western Division Staff with COVID Questions as needed
● The Board is aware that the COVID Crisis makes the scheduling of our education and certification events a fluid situation, and we ask for your flexibility as the season continues
Dan also spoke of his experience this fall as part of the Director Team at Sierra at Tahoe, and how their planning using data from NSAA and other resources helped them conduct a Mountain Cleanup with over 400 volunteers using some of the protocols they set up. The team at Sierra at Tahoe thought it was a very successful event, in part because of the preparations that the team had made there.
Kristi also spoke of some of the preparations ongoing with the Western Division Office, preparing for educational and certification events this winter. For more on this, please the Western Division Website.
Ed Foundation Update
Blaine Loman, Chair of the Ed Foundation and Vice Chair of our Board discussed updates from the Education Foundation, a very important organization that does an excellent job supporting our members. One of the biggest highlights is in part because of the hard work of your Education Foundation Board, donations have increased since the 15/16 season almost 700%. Thanks to all of the members who have contributed, so that many of our fellow instructors can receive financial aid in their quest to improve themselves as instructors through Education and Certification Events. Some other highlights:
● This season, the Education Foundation plans to award over 60 scholarships totaling $26,900 to support member training
● Examples of support:
● $3000 – Multiple Certification Scholarships: Twenty members who attempt a second or third discipline certification (Level 2 or 3), will receive $150 towards one module.
● $6000 – Level 2 and 3 Certification Scholarships: Forty members who attempt Level 2 or 3 in a discipline will receive $150 towards one module. The scholarships will be divided as follows: 18 Alpine, 18 Snowboard, and four more divided between Nordic and Adaptive.
● $1500 – National Academy Scholarships in the name of Miriam and Mike Sodergren: two members will each receive $750.
● Financial support for the training of our Education Staff and helping support two of our major education events
To apply for a scholarship, please visit the Western Division Website, and click on Education Foundation for more information.
Thanks again to the Education Foundation for their work in supporting our membership! Please support them with a donation.
Running for the Board for the 21-22 Season
Board Member Lea Logal talked about running for the Board for the next season. Four Board positions will be up for election. If you are interested, you can apply on our website at this link. Applications are due by February 15, 2021. The Western Division Board is seeking people who have an enthusiasm for supporting the Western Division. Please contact any of your Board Members or the Office if you have questions about serving on the Board.
Lea spoke of how serving on the Board has been a rewarding experience for her, even with not having any prior Board experience. This is a great opportunity for those who are making snowsports a career to gain some leadership skills as well as network in the industry. We encourage all members to consider running for the Board.
Please note: Board of Director members are volunteers. Board of Director candidates cannot be serving in any role that is paid for by PSIA-AASI Western Division, as there are conflict of interest laws in the state of California (plus other issues) with paid staff on the Board.
Summary
Greg Lyons came in for the wrapup:
● We know many of you are planning on continuing your training and want to take it to the next level this season.
● We have planned events even with the COVID uncertainty, but please plan on flexibility as schedules will most likely change throughout the season.
● If you need financial help to complete your training, please apply for a scholarship on the Education Foundation Website
Questions and Answers
If we have the Questions asked during the roundtable we should put them in and answer them here.
And Finally…
This is a screen grab from Squaw Valley – Alpine Meadows’s KT22 webcam dated April 6, 2020, a couple of weeks after the Snowsports Industry shut down. How can you not feel excited looking at all that fresh snow and not a track or a mogul. It may not have looked this way since Alex Cushing and Wayne Paulsen started building Squaw Valley back in the early ‘40’s.
We will ski and ride again if we remember to stay safe by following the new norms and use the support of our friends and family. Please be safe, continue to take PSIA-AASI Western Division training, follow your resort protocols and remember to protect yourselves as you serve our students.
Thank you for your support of the Western Division and the Western Division Education Foundation.
Tad Sheldon
Board Secretary
On behalf of the PSIA-AASI Western Division Board of Directors
More than half a year after the premature shutdown of the 2019-20 season and the ensuing uncertainty about everything, we are absolutely thrilled to announce the PSIA-AASI Western Division Calendar of events for the 2020-21 season.
Unfortunately, enough uncertainty remains that we have to say most everything is tentative. (The exceptions are our online learning options, webinars, and custom events scheduled at the request of or with the approval of individual ski or ride school directors.) In order to deal with this uncertainty, we’re using a Red/Green system in the calendar. The first column for each event on the calendar will be shaded Red or Green. It’s going to work like this:
RED STAGE
As we enter the new season, we will respect the resorts’ situations and allow them time to figure things out. Most events are starting at and will remain at the Red stage until we have confirmation from resorts that they are ready and able to host our events while complying with local, county and state regulations. At that time, the event will move to Green and registration for it will open.
GREEN STAGE
As resorts begin to open and operate safely and understand their level of restrictions, we will open registration to our calendar events based on what works for the resorts.
Initially, only online and cross-country events are in the Green stage. We expect Custom events, requested by individual snowsports schools and limited to their employees, and perhaps some Western Pop-Up Events (See below.) will be the events most likely next to go Green. (Details about requesting a Custom event can be found here – https://psia-w.org/home/events/customevents/)
Whether an event will actually happen will depend on up-to-date information and readiness, our ability to mitigate the risk of resurgence, and to protect all involved. Events will go Green and open for registration only in accord with state and county directives and resort approvals. The idea of the Red/Green stages is to allow all of us–the resorts, our ed staff, trainers and examiners, and you members who participate in the education events–to plan with as much certainty as is possible now and through the season.
WESTERN POP UP EVENTS
New this season will be Western Pop-Up Events which we hope will add something a little exciting and unexpected to the season. These events—announced with shorter notice than our annual calendar of events—might be training or educational events. They might be social events. They might be in a “classroom” or maybe online or they might be on snow. Follow our social pages (Facebook and Instagram) and make sure you move our PSIA-AASI emails into your primary inbox so you don’t risk missing the announcement of our Pop-Up events this season.
So with all that, here’s the Calendar. Check it often. It’s going to change. We’re hoping most, if not all, events at some point go Green. (We are not sure how things are going to go but we expect that some events may have fewer spaces this year than in the past. We’d encourage you to check the Calendar often and to sign up early to avoid being left out of a desired event.)
A message from your PSIA-AASI-W Adaptive Task Force:
During these crazy times of Covid-19 we are working to stay connected to one another. Adapting to our current situation means we are moving in a direction of virtual learning – lots of Zoom! In partnership with Rim Special Athletes, the Adaptive Task Force of PSIA-AASI-W has developed an exciting Adaptive webinar series featuring interactive online clinics at no charge. We encourage you to attend and invite your staff, volunteers, friends, and colleagues too. The Thursday evening (6:30pm) series will be scheduled as follows:
2020-21 Virtual Adaptive Interactive Clinic Series – Hosted by Rim Special Athletes and the PSIA-AASI Western Adaptive Task Force
Sept 24 @ 6:30 pm – Teaching the Student on the Autism Spectrum – Kim Meares
Oct 8 @ 6:30 pm -Touch Free Teaching – Dan Stormer
Oct 29 @ 6:30 pm- History of Adaptive Sliding – Katherine Hayes-Rodriquez and Ted Pitcher
Nov 5 @ 6:30 pm – How to Teach an Adaptive Student in an Alpine lesson – Jake Breidenbach
Nov 19 @ 6:30 pm – Creating a Successful Lesson for the Athlete with PTSD – Kim Meares
Dec 17 @ 6:30 pm – Bi-Ski Basics – John Pacente, USARC
Jan 7 @ 6:30 pm – How to Train & Be Trained – Dan Stormer & Jake Breidenbach
Starting Jan 21 @ 6:30 pm we will be having Adaptive exam prep clinics. They will held every two weeks on Thursdays at 6:30. Topics will be forthcoming
Dial by your location
+1 408 638 0968 US (San Jose
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
+1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Meeting ID: 850 7392 0294
Passcode: 030690
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/keuO63wzLa
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/adaptive_techmanual_coverphoto_geoffkrill_2017.jpg7991200Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2020-09-17 16:10:572021-01-03 19:21:23Adaptive Task Force Webinar Series
Safety, fun, and learning make up the core tenets of PSIA-AASI’s vision to “Create Lifelong Adventures Through Education.” Delivering on this critical foundation for successful lessons is more important than ever as we work together to maintain a low-risk learning environment for ourselves, our guests, and our colleagues – so everyone can enjoy their snowsports season this winter.
“By following best practices and taking necessary precautions for healthy interactions, our guests and instructors can continue to focus on growth and development,” said PSIA-AASI Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Herrin. “We hope that, as an educator you’ll use the document as a tool to help you deliver safe, and fun, lesson experiences in the time of COVID-19.”
The document includes:
Considerations for instructors to foster conversations around executing practical and successful lessons.
How to incorporate – and adapt when necessary – the Learning Connection model and Teaching/Learning Cycle to align with best health and safety practices.
The importance of People Skills in welcoming guests, introducing yourself, assessing students, and planning experiences.
How you can adapt Teaching Skills to minimize risk.
Snowsports school considerations such as lesson products, group size, and instructor training.
And a list of additional training resources for every discipline.
National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Operational Best Practices
An NSAA advisory group of ski industry leaders developed this website resource, and the Ski Well, Be Well operational best practices based on scientific guidelines from experts. These practices can be adapted to each ski area’s unique operation, and can be scaled according to the appropriate local COVID-19 response.
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/PSIAAASI_NavigatingThe2020-21SnowsportsSeason_webcover-e1604004630484.jpg512696Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2020-09-12 13:20:582020-10-29 13:50:42Navigating the 20/21 Snowsports Season
Our Mission is to provide educational opportunities for PSIA-AASI Western instructors looking to enhance their personal growth and further their careers in snowsports instruction. We help 3500+ members that serve at ski areas in California and Nevada
Education Events Sponsorships
Professional Development Day, Fall Rally, Big Mountain Experience, NorCal Rally, SoCal Rally and Convention (canceled). The support for Convention went towards a webinar.
Scholarship Awards
Our donors continue to be very generous increasing donations by 75% compared to the 2018/19 season. This allowed the Foundation to increase the number of scholarships and member support by over 100% from the prior year. We were also able to increase the dollar amount of scholarships awarded by 70%. Any scholarships awarded but could not be attended because of the cancellation of events will be honored in the 20/21 season.
Additional Grant
The Foundation was proud to sponsor our division’s Alpine and Snowboard National Team candidates for the National Teams’ tryouts. Unfortunately, they have been postponed until 2020/21 but we will still be there for them.
Website Upgrade
We increased the content on the Education Foundation’s website to include a Donors and Scholarships Recipients tabs recognizing our generous donors as well as the members awarded scholarships of past and present. We also added two new donor categories because of wonderful donors!
History of the Foundation The PSIA-W Education Foundation was incorporated in 1993 and accepted as a 501 (c)(3) by the IRS in 1995. The early organizing committee included Greg Felsch, Blaine Lomen and Katherine Hayes Rodriguez. The Foundation continues today to support the mission of PSIA-AASI West by funding education projects and supporting development of individual members through scholarships. The Foundation is a 501 (c) (3) organization in good standing, Federal ID # 77-0381837.
The Foundation will be supervised by the Education Foundation Board of Directors: Blaine Lomen, President Julie Brown, Vice Presiden Dave Sutherland, Secretary John Armstrong, Treasurer Jaime Marso-Tanner, Member at Large
(Editor’s note: Kim Meares, Marriage and Family Therapist, is a practicing psychotherapist in Lake Arrowhead, CA. She is co-chair of the PSIA-AASI W Adaptive Task Force and director of the Adaptive program at Snow Valley Mountain Resort. She is a co-founder and helps run Rim Special Athletes which during the winter provides adaptive ski and snowboard lessons at Snow Valley.)
My husband (who, frighteningly, is also a therapist) thinks that daytime sex and Netflix is sufficient. But, let’s look at some additional ideas.
Anxiety was already pervasive prior to this pandemic, but during these distressing times we are affected even more. Fear, of which anxiety is one type, is always about the future. Concerns about our health and our loved ones, loss of emotional support due to social distancing, boredom and restlessness that come from lack of structure and loss of purpose, seeing other people as threats to our own lives, the stresses that come from 24/7 parenting and less individual space – all these drive the anxieties we feel today. As snowsports instructors, we may worry about whether our mountain will open and whether we will have a job. There remain unanswered questions about how the ski industry will respond and how our own ski school in particular will operate.
These are all real, not imaginary, concerns and our challenge is to cope as well as we can with this new reality. In the discipline of Adaptive we emphasize adapting equipment and techniques to enable an individual with unique physical, cognitive and affective challenges to be able to participate in snowsports. During this time of Covid-19, we have all been challenged to adapt to this unprecedented stressful situation. Stress inhibits our immune system. It feels unpleasant. So it’s important to reduce our stress. Here are some ways.
First, let’s look at lifestyle practices that can inoculate us against stress no matter the situation.
We all do best if we get about eight hours of sleep each night, not a lot more nor a lot less. The human species evolved going to sleep when it gets dark and waking when it gets light. We’re not a nocturnal species and our circadian rhythms are disrupted when we sleep like we are.
Healthy eating helps with stress management. Reduce caffeine. Reduce sugar. Reduce highly processed foods. Increase fresh vegetables and whole grains. Vitamin B complex is reputed to help build resistance to stress. This is a good time to stabilize your weight by avoiding fast food and reducing desserts.
Attend to medical concerns that trouble you. Take your medication, vitamins and supplements. If you have medical issues, contact your doctor’s office for advice and have them assess whether your condition merits a trip to the doctor’s office or the hospital.
Moderate exercise will reduce stress more than any other practice you might undertake. Many of us are fortunate to live in environments that support outdoor distanced exercise such as hiking, jogging, rock climbing and biking. In addition, there are a variety of exercise programs available online. For stress reduction, you’re looking to work out 3-4 times a week for at least 40 minutes, strenuous enough that you need to increase your breathing, but can still carry on a conversation. Remember, you can work on your ski-specific muscles without going to the gym.
Relationships continue to be very important, even as we are advised to radically reduce our face-to-face interactions with others. Maintain social supports through use of Facetime, Skype, Zoom, chat rooms, and the old-fashioned telephone. During enforced living with others, this is a good time to develop deeper and more emotional communication with your family. People do better when they have someone with whom they can share openly, get decision-making advice and mutually participate in running the household.
At the same time, we all need relief from responsibilities and from attending to others. (Ask any parent whose kids are now home full-time.) Don’t neglect the value of recreation, even if it’s “Me Time.” What’s fun to you? It helps if we have things to look forward to, at least weekly, preferably daily.
While it’s a luxury to have leisure time, it’s easy to fritter it away and realize you’re spending your days in sweatpants and getting nothing done. You’ll feel better if you develop structure in your life. Develop a schedule, post it on the fridge and keep to it. Get up on time, shower and dress for the day. What can you do that will make you pleased with yourself when the day is done? It’s easy to be self-indulgent, but we’re happier when we’re self-disciplined.
We do better when we have a well-defined set of values, whether they are specifically religious, generally spiritual, informed by reason, uniquely our own or of the Golden Rule variety. Are your actions consistent with your belief system? Our mental health is best when our conscience is clear and our behavior reflects what we believe.
Next, when there are distressing events over which we have no power, it’s often helpful to have distractions to get our minds off the stressors.
Consider doing that project that you never got around to because you don’t have enough time, for example, painting the kids’ room, re-organizing the garage, spring cleaning, planting a garden, reading War and Peace or watching as many of the AFI’s top 100 movies as you can. How about doing the book study for your next certification or participating in the webinars being offered by PSIA/AASI?
Attempt something new like learning a musical instrument or trying your hand at painting. For example, for years I have been wanting to learn sign language, so I have used this time to join a class being offered by Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra, the adaptive program at Mammoth.
You could come up with activities such as board games to do as a family. When is the last time your family played a rousing game of Monopoly? Or had a Wii tournament? We taught our son to play Rummikub and even had a three-family Rummikub party on Zoom. What about cooking together as a family, trying new recipes for pizza? How about doing an art project together? For example, have everyone draw a different part of a picture or hand paint Christmas cards for next December.
Besides lifestyle and distractions, you can also utilize relaxation techniques. This could consist of simple techniques like deep breathing exercises, taking a bubble bath, having your partner give you a luxurious massage or listening to calming music. Or you could use more formal techniques such as meditation, prayer, yoga or guided imagery. There are numerous classes being offered on-line. For example, my adaptive program, Rim Special Athletes, is conducting yoga classes on Zoom for anyone interested.
Mindfulness has become popular in recent years. It is the practice of focusing on here-and-now experiences without judgment. This is the opposite of anxiety, which is focused on future problems. Mindfulness can simply be focusing on the world you see from your deck or performing actual exercises such as a self body scan or doing everything left-handed for a day. Like most things, you can find lots of exercises by Googling “mindfulness.”
Finally, let’s look at how our thoughts contribute to our anxiety. Feelings come from our thinking. So if we change our thinking, we will change how we feel. For example, if my husband asks me why I am so late, I might think he is trying to control me and I will likely feel offended. On the other hand, if I think he is worried about losing me, I will feel cared about. A goal of mental health is to be able to see the world as it really is. Psychologists have cataloged styles of thinking that distort the way we see reality.
During the Covid-19 pandemic, we are more prone to certain of these distorted thinking styles. Currently, the most prevalent is “Catastrophizing,” also called “Awfulizing.” In this style we focus on the worst possible outcome and obsess about it to the exclusion of more likely outcomes. An example of this type of thinking is, “I am going to surely die if I am infected.” The solution is balanced realistic thinking. “With good distancing practices I am unlikely to get infected. Even if I do, ninety-nine percent of people recover” (depending on which authority you listen to). Ninety-nine to one are pretty good odds!
In “Misattributing,” we assign an incorrect reason for an event, often falsely assuming ill intent. I might assume malevolence in a person not wearing a face mask in public, (“He is being selfish and doesn’t care about the rest of us.”) rather than a more neutral cause (“He left home in a hurry.”) After all, since I don’t really know why anyone does what they do, why not assume positive or at least neutral intent. Then I can maintain a more positive attitude toward my fellow man.
In “Filtering,” we focus on certain cherry-picked facts which confirm our fears or biases and ignore information that contradicts our conclusions. For example, spending hours a day glued to televised scenes of emergency room chaos and death is bound to disturb the viewer. That ignores the fact that 100 times more people have recovered than have died.
We can never forget how important gratitude is. We run the risk of focusing on our present misfortune, bemoaning our isolation, financial stress and medical risk. We can benefit from paying attention to what we have to be thankful for. We are still alive. There are people we love. We live in a beautiful place. We have lots of leisure time. There is no shortage of books, movies, TV shows and music with which to entertain ourselves. We live in a time of unprecedented wealth and safety. Life expectancies are up. Crime rates are down. This is the safest time in human history. There is an emerging spirit that we are all in this together. We are witnessing altruism and courage of our healthcare workers and essential service providers. This is a time for us to feel compassion for our fellow human beings.
Stay safe. Stay healthy. Relax.
Oh…and daytime sex and Netflix help as well.
Written by Kim Meares – Western Adaptive Task Force Co-Chair
https://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/kalen-emsley-UqyHjOgYxYY-unsplash-1.jpg14072500Kristi Jhttps://psia-w.org/new/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/logowebsite.pngKristi J2020-08-24 04:39:192020-09-17 14:45:22How Can we Best Manage our Mental Health During the Crisis of Covid-19 - by Kim Meares
Things change (like our address for instance). And, there’s no better time like the present to seize the moment and make a move. Which is just what we did with our Western division office. While we are still getting settled in and organized, take a peek at the new space…
Due to the state’s reopening guidelines for offices and for the health and safety of our small office team who are essential to running the division, we are not able to accommodate visitors through the 20/21 season. All member inquiries, renewals, event registrations, etc. can be handled via web, phone, or email. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Have you moved recently? Be sure to update your mailing address and other contact information in your membership profile.
