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Hamden Hall Country Day School
Educating students in PreSchool through Grade 12

1977 Alumna Social Worker Reflects on Life with COVID-19

Jodi Amatulli
Ellen Slusky Weinstein, Class of 1977, a clinical social worker, was kind enough to share her reflections on life with COVID-19. Ellen is a 1981 graduate of Tufts University and earned a master’s in social work from the Simmons School of Social Work in 1988. Ellen is in private practice and lives with her dog in South Easton, Mass. She reports that her children and grandchildren are doing well and sends wishes to all to “stay safe, stay healthy.”
 
Reflections on the Pandemic
 
I have been in quarantine since March 16, 2020, like everyone else.
I am eating too many snacks and talking to the dog. I figure that’s okay as long as she doesn’t answer me back. As a clinical social worker in private practice, I have the good fortune to be able to provide tele-therapy and continue to work with my clients. There is a good deal of anxiety out there, so I thought I might share some thoughts.
 
Jodi Amatulli in the Hamden Hall Alumni Office asked me to write a life update so here’s what I am thinking about at 61 on April 14,  2020.
 
What I know:
 
—listen to as little news about the pandemic as possible and never before bed. With a 24-hour news cycle, it is incumbent upon news outlets to always have a provocative story. Much of it is inconsequential and anxiety producing.
 
—when listening or reading about the pandemic listen/look for words like might, could, maybe. These are words of possibility not reality—e.g. estimations about how long the pandemic will last. We really just don’t know. Fortune telling is futile.
 
—Stay present. The future for better or worse is unknown. Be careful about the stories you tell yourself. As humans we tend have negative bias—a vestige from our evolution to look for danger. Our stories are often stressful or scary. Reel yourself back in. Stay in the here and now.
 
—Staying present means being mindful. Recognize where you are, what you are doing in any given moment.
 
—Practice gratitude. I know. It sounds hokey. But honestly it helps. Reflect on what you have: time, your dwelling, your cell phone to connect, friends, family, your work—whatever you are personally grateful for.
 
—Try to be social everyday through any of the various technologies even if it’s just a quick contact. We are creatures of connection. A warm hello can brighten anyone’s day.
 
—Practically. Structure your day. Try to wake up and go to sleep on a schedule. Eat meals.
 
—Limit screen time. Move your body. Exercise releases the wonderful chemicals of dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin—all great for mood stability. Walk, jog, bike. I call dancing at home stealth exercise. Blast your favorite music. Dance for four or five songs and get your heart rate up. Then somehow magically you’ve just done some cardio.
 
—Go to YouTube and find ways to meditate, use guided imagery, do yoga.
 
Each of us will have whatever lesson we take from this unique and challenging time. And then this will come to an end. I pray it will be without too much more loss.
 
I will leave you with this advice:
 
Wash your hands, social distance, and remind everyone you love that you love them.
 
Be well Hamden Hall community.
 
Ellen is pictured with her daughter, Julia, next to her, and Julia’s children, Melanie and Eli. Ellen is pictured in a second photo with her Hamden Hall alumna sister, Linda Slusky Alpuche, Class of 1981. Linda is a health and wellness coach and lives in Washington, D.C. She earned her undergraduate and master’s in public health from George Washington University.
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