In the midst of the distress many have experienced during the pandemic, it can be understandably difficult to be present with the goodness that is in our lives, however this recognition can play a key role in our own happiness and well-being. The benefits of gratitude are many, including the strengthening of relationships, enhancing empathy, increased patience, improved self-worth and self-esteem, and increased resiliency.

You can practice gratitude to help change your perspective, provide hope, and protect your mental and emotional well-being. Gratitude is a sense of appreciation of what you have and for the goodness that is in your life, both within and outside of yourself. Gratitude is often a reflection of an emotional response from an occurrence that made a difference in your life.

Coined in the late 1970s by Dr. Pauline Chance to describe the feelings of inadequacy and fear everyone can feel in comparison to others we perceive to be more experienced or accomplished, Imposter Phenomenon (IP) is gaining considerable traction in both popular and academic writings. IP is not a diagnosis, but a collection of thoughts and feelings that produce symptoms of anxiety and oftentimes depression.

Grief clusters around shock, disbelief, sadness, fear, guilt, angst, anger, confusion, and numbness. We can also physically experience grief as fatigue, aches and pains, sleeplessness, weight changes, or headaches.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we all have taken a master class on living with ambiguity. We have had to pivot repeatedly, making many adjustments day after day and week after week. There have been challenges and opportunities during this time.

University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students are navigating the fall 2021 semester in the latest phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and are collectively experiencing various influences on mental health.