The past few years have been difficult. How do I know if I have PTSD?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
PTSD is complex, but in a nutshell, it is the body’s response to a stressful or fear provoking event. It causes our bodies to go into a constant state of preparation to fight something dangerous or scary. Over time this can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and physical health symptoms. PTSD is not something Read more…
March 18, 2023
Brain Fog is NOT just in your head.
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
What is brain fog then? Brain fog describes a group of symptoms that are caused by the body. Researchers and clinicians are starting to think of it more like a neurological disease. TL; DR: Brain fog is a general term used to describe many issues including poor attention, memory, and planning abilities. This can happen Read more…
March 1, 2023
What is an eating disorder?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Please read on to learn a little bit more about eating disorders and how to get help. What are eating disorders?Eating disorders are serious diseases responsible for both medical and physical illness. They are defined as changes in eating behaviors and patterns that affect mental and physical Read more…
February 11, 2023
What does screen time do to us?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As we move into the weekend, let’s take a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now, LOL.). But still, we know that screens have changed us. And most of us spend WAY too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Read more…
February 4, 2023
Self-care Saturday!
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
December 31, 2022
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
PTSD is complex, but in a nutshell, it is the body’s response to a stressful or fear provoking event. It causes our bodies to go into a constant state of preparation to fight something dangerous or scary. Over time this can lead to depression, anxiety, sleep disturbance, and physical health symptoms. PTSD is not something Read more…
Brain Fog is NOT just in your head.
Clinical Symptoms Long COVID Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
What is brain fog then? Brain fog describes a group of symptoms that are caused by the body. Researchers and clinicians are starting to think of it more like a neurological disease. TL; DR: Brain fog is a general term used to describe many issues including poor attention, memory, and planning abilities. This can happen Read more…
March 1, 2023
What is an eating disorder?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Please read on to learn a little bit more about eating disorders and how to get help. What are eating disorders?Eating disorders are serious diseases responsible for both medical and physical illness. They are defined as changes in eating behaviors and patterns that affect mental and physical Read more…
February 11, 2023
What does screen time do to us?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As we move into the weekend, let’s take a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now, LOL.). But still, we know that screens have changed us. And most of us spend WAY too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Read more…
February 4, 2023
Self-care Saturday!
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
December 31, 2022
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
What is brain fog then? Brain fog describes a group of symptoms that are caused by the body. Researchers and clinicians are starting to think of it more like a neurological disease. TL; DR: Brain fog is a general term used to describe many issues including poor attention, memory, and planning abilities. This can happen Read more…
What is an eating disorder?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Please read on to learn a little bit more about eating disorders and how to get help. What are eating disorders?Eating disorders are serious diseases responsible for both medical and physical illness. They are defined as changes in eating behaviors and patterns that affect mental and physical Read more…
February 11, 2023
What does screen time do to us?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As we move into the weekend, let’s take a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now, LOL.). But still, we know that screens have changed us. And most of us spend WAY too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Read more…
February 4, 2023
Self-care Saturday!
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
December 31, 2022
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. Please read on to learn a little bit more about eating disorders and how to get help. What are eating disorders?Eating disorders are serious diseases responsible for both medical and physical illness. They are defined as changes in eating behaviors and patterns that affect mental and physical Read more…
What does screen time do to us?
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
As we move into the weekend, let’s take a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now, LOL.). But still, we know that screens have changed us. And most of us spend WAY too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Read more…
February 4, 2023
Self-care Saturday!
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
December 31, 2022
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
As we move into the weekend, let’s take a moment to talk about screens (and yes, we realize that you are reading this on a screen right now, LOL.). But still, we know that screens have changed us. And most of us spend WAY too much time on our screens (phones, computers, laptops, and others). Read more…
Self-care Saturday!
Health & Wellness Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
December 31, 2022
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
💖 What is self-care and why is it Important? TL; DR: Self-care is a set of things people do to support their overall health and wellness (mental and physical). Self-care can support emotional, physical, and/or spiritual well-being among other areas of life. It is not something that you do only if you have time. It Read more…
Is setting a New Year’s Resolution a recipe for disaster?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
December 24, 2022
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
A: Not at all! You can make those resolutions happen….well, at least one or two of them. TL; DR: Lots of people set goals (aka resolutions or intentions) around this time of year. When you set your goals, make sure you focus on the what, why, and how. 🫖 Tell me more. Lots of us Read more…
Feeling the holiday blues?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
December 14, 2022
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
💙 Everybody has the blues, sometimes. Almost 50% of us at this time of year, to be specific. The holiday week between 🎄 Christmas and 🎊 New Year’s Day can be a difficult one. Of course some of us have joyful feelings and good memories, but others feel lonely, sad, empty, or not physically well, Read more…
Is it normal to be extremely anxious six months after having a baby? Everyone tells me it will get better.
Mental Health Reproductive Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
December 7, 2022
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
A: Yes and no. Some adjustment is normal, but sudden changes in how you feel may be a sign that you are experiencing a mood or anxiety disorder in the perinatal period (sometimes called a PMAD). TL; DR: It is normal to experience feelings of anxiety, sadness, fatigue, irritability and other symptoms after you have Read more…
How can I celebrate the holidays with my family when I am grieving?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
November 30, 2022
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
It is complicated, but know that you are not alone. Many people find this time of the year difficult, especially so when they are facing the death or loss of a loved one. The holidays can bring up feelings of sadness, loss around the rituals you had, and isolation as other people may not understand Read more…
‘Tis the season. How can I deal with feelings of dread?
Mental Health
Aparna Kumar, PhD CRNP MPH
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…
There are many ways to deal with feelings of dread including acknowledging it, expressing it, and making a plan for it. If your dread is making it hard for you to get out of bed, causing you to avoid situations or miss work, or doesn’t go away even after you try different things to make Read more…