I swear the “screen time report” on my phone gets more bleak with each passing week. The pandemic has certainly increased the number of hours I’m staring at a device each day, and this article by reporter Krissy Brady really opened my eyes (heh) to the damage it might be causing. Apparently we’re more at risk for a handful of eye conditions because of all of *gestures wildly* this. Read her story to find out what they are and what we can do about it.

We’ve also got more below on the other ways the pandemic is altering our lives. And a reminder that May is Mental Health Awareness Month. We should be aware of our emotional and mental well-being year round, but there are going to be a lot of articles and advice floating around the internet in the coming weeks (for example, here’s a comprehensive guide on mental health and COVID-19 from me). Take advantage of them and start prioritizing your mind. You deserve it.

❤️,

Lindsay

You Oughta Know

Resuming our lives after being fully vaccinated isn’t exactly as easy as we imagined. We’re still in a pandemic, of course, but even making safe plans feels kind of wrong. Why is that? And what can we do to manage those feelings? Reporter Julia Ries got the answers from experts.

WHY DOING 'NORMAL' ACTIVITIES FEELS SO UNCOMFORTABLE

A Minute And Change

Got a spare minute? Use it to change your life. Our "A Minute And Change" series will help you become happier, healthier and more productive by doing one thing a little differently. This week’s tip comes from psychiatrist Murray Zucker on how using your own name when you’re talking to yourself can help you calm any racing thoughts:

If you use your own name in your self-talk, you’re more likely to follow cognitive advice. If, for example, you have a big presentation at work and you notice that you’re spending the morning psyching yourself out, telling yourself that you’re going to flop, you really can make yourself pretty nervous. But if I say: ‘Murray. You’ve done this before. You like doing this,’ you really can take some control over your own thoughts, which can set you up for greater happiness throughout the day.

Before You Go...

Read this brief guide by reporter Julia Ries on when you should (and don’t need to) get tested for COVID-19 once you’ve had your vaccine. There are some times when it’s necessary and a lot of others when it isn’t. This story will help you figure out what to do and when.

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