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coping

People Are Saying this Is Worse Than 9/11

April 5, 2020 by Laura Schreiber

One of our oldest family friends who lost her son waiting for a heart lung transplant at CHOP the year I graduated from college said something to me years ago that stuck: never compare suffering. I keep hearing friends say that this is worse than 9/11. Having been in New York City on 9/11, even saying that out loud makes me want to vomit, and I have a hard time conceptualizing how in such a short period of time we can actually, as a collective people, go through something that is worse. So, I hope that you will forgive me if instead of blogging about voice overs or life as a working mom, today I will use my weekly blog post to attempt to deal with what I am struggling with, as others most be struggling too.

The Numbers…

Intellectually I understand that the numbers of deaths from Covid-19 in my home state of New Jersey have now surpassed those from 9/11, but even hearing this over and over it does not feel real. According to NJ.com, as of this morning 846 people have died in NJ from the Corona Virus and 704 died on 9/11. On 9/11 I was a proud NYC resident living on the Upper West Side and Teahing History on the Upper East Side. Those statistics are also not great: according to Politico yesterday, 2700 New Yorkers perished on 9/11 and as of yesterday 2935 have succumbed to the corona virus. So yes, I get it, in terms of the numbers the virus is much worse.

The Timing

If you ask most people, especially New Yorkers, where they were on 9/11, they can tell you precisely where they were and what they were doing when the towers were hit. I was with my department chair at the Nightingale-Bamford School, Kitty Gordon, for out weekly Tuesday morning. Her assistant Sharon interrupted us to tell us the news. We were shocked but we continued out meeting. I then went to teach my 8th grade American History class, and as the girls started to panic about their parents who worked in the area, I realized that my now husband then fiancee was across the street. For me, the horror of that day unraveled in a few hours. Harlan felt the impact of the second tower being hit at his desk and was up and running. Harlan saw things that day, as many New Yorkers did, that no human should ever see. He saw the giant gaping holes in the towers as they stood and he saw people making there terrifying exits. Harlan ran to the west side highway and then walked all the way up to me at Nightingale at 92nd and 5th Avenue. He was there at dismissal with his parents. Harlan and I then had to walk some students home to the west side. We were blessed. We survived as did our family.

For me, the time factor of the corona virus is different. 9/11 was a sudden shack. The attack was rapid and unexpected. In the aftermath people came together, but the attack was over. With covid-19, the attack is slow and lingering and one never really knows when it will strike and where the danger is. The pace seems to change everything. There are daily challenges and then within the struggle we grasp at silver linings. There is terror mixed with blessings. This “new normal” as so many call it is bizarre. For me, in the midst of this setting, the statistics only serve as a reminder that we are all still stuck in this, unable to go back as life to the way it was in February, which seems like a lifetime ago.

There Were No Silver Linings With 9/11

For me, I have a hard time even looking at the 9/11 memorial. I become extremely emotional. I do not like taking the path train to the World Trade Center. The made it so nice that I just feel vulnerable all over again. Having been through 9/11, it still, even today, feels too raw and I cannot feel any silver linings.

The current Corona virus situation is terrifying in a different way, but for me, the pace is slow. Even though we are surrounded by death and suffering, there have actually been some silver linings. Here is my list, maybe it will help you:

  • Since we are all home we got a Labrador Retriever puppy.
  • We are all cooking together a lot.
  • We are eating healthy, balance meals.
  • We are spending time as a family.
  • My husband and I are going for walks every day.
  • My kids are learning to do chores around the house.
  • We are not putting many miles on our cars.
  • We are polluting less.
  • My kids are happy not to take the train to school.

All of these silver linings are fine and dandy as long as my family gets through this unscathed. I think the hardest part for me is not seeing our extended family: my parents, my in-laws, my sister…. and we don’t know when we will see them. The unknown is scary and in this scenario it could go on and on. Never will we take wellness for granted again.

Filed Under: About Me Tagged With: 9/11, coping, covid 19, silver linings, working mom

Voice Over Wellness Tips from a Seasoned Pro: Praying For Wellness, Preparing For Anything That Comes…

March 1, 2020 by Laura Schreiber

The Present Situation

It’s flu season and unfortunately it’s apparently also Coronavirus season this year. Different countries have different levels of preparedness, but I never like to leave my wellness, or my families, in the hands of others. I don’t like to wait around like a sitting duck and take action after I am sick. I believe very strongly in preventative care. I have learned that preventative wellness is key to the success of my business. Particularly for those of us who depend on the quality of our voice to make a living, it is best not to get sick in the first place. Here are some best tips, tricks, and best practices that have helped me over the years:

Hand Washing and Wipes

It is really important to both wash your hands frequently AND not touch your face. According to the CDC’s website:

“Teaching people about handwashing helps them and their communities stay healthy. Handwashing education in the community:

  • Reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23-40% 2, 3, 6
  • Reduces diarrheal illness in people with weakened immune systems by 58% 4
  • Reduces respiratory illnesses, like colds, in the general population by 16-21% 3, 5
  • Reduces absenteeism due to gastrointestinal illness in schoolchildren by 29-57% 7

Another trick that I have found when out and about is carrying lysol and Clorox wipes. I always do this on trains and airplanes. They come in little travel bags, and you can wipe around your entire personal area which has likely not been cleaned any time recently. Here is a link to the wipes I am talking about:

  • Clorox Disinfecting Wipes, 15 ct.

or

  • https://www.amazon.com/Lysol-Disinfecting-Wipes-Lemon-Blossom/dp/B017P2ZG0O/ref=sr_1_4?crid=10AZ072PLLZ4K&keywords=travel+pack+lysol+wipes&qid=1583074333&sprefix=travel+pack+lys%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-4

Supplements That Help

I take a blend of supplements daily to prevent illness. I have been doing this since I got started in voice over full time as any illness stops work. Twice since 2015 I have had to tell clients I was unavailable for several days because of sickness. One client waited for me, one could not and I still regret missing that opportunity. These are some of the supplements that work for me to stay well even when those around me are a hacking mess, perhaps they might help you too:

  • Immune Assist: https://www.amazon.com/Medicinals-Critical-Certified-Mushroom-Supplement/dp/B074DSCVNJ/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?gclid=Cj0KCQiA1-3yBRCmARIsAN7B4H3pFSvaIhTzwUC0YqWdD8uX5qYLbWy5E_OYB2Ye5ZoHdrDdgDUvUx8aAnY9EALw_wcB&hvadid=153719469992&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9003504&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=1243395999995137344&hvtargid=kwd-1642972002&hydadcr=21189_9333932&keywords=immune+assist&qid=1583074523&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzTjZGQ0lHNzdGN1BDJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNTQyMDU4MkpJUlcwMk02SDdYRSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNjM0MDU4MzhBMkVaOU9HMFQySiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
  • Cold Quell https://www.amazon.com/Blue-Poppy-Cold-Quell-caps/dp/B0044U4HVA/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Cold+Quell&qid=1583074607&sr=8-3
  • Mega Food C Defence: https://www.amazon.com/MegaFood-Defense-Supports-Function-Gluten-Free/dp/B07CP2VMY4/ref=sr_1_13?keywords=mega+C&qid=1583074638&sr=8-13
  • Elderberry: https://www.amazon.com/MegaFood-Elderberry-Promotes-Defenses-Servings/dp/B07JYFJMZG/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1PU99320INAT6&keywords=megafood+elderberry&qid=1583074674&sprefix=mega+food+Elder%2Caps%2C158&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUFRWVdUQUVBMzc2VlAmZW5jcnlwdGVkSWQ9QTAwNjM4MTIxNlNPQVU1QTU3VTE5JmVuY3J5cHRlZEFkSWQ9QTAzMjMyNDUzV0pLMlREQjVQWVAmd2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGYmYWN0aW9uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Straight to The Throat If you are already fighting something and have some symptoms, these are some must haves that I turn to and always keep on hand. They have helped me immensely over the years!

  • Golden Voice Tea:https://www.amazon.com/Health-King-Golden-Voice-Count/dp/B0011DL1D0/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2NX50AV0Q5XX&keywords=golden+voice+herb+tea&qid=1583074792&sprefix=Golden+Voice%2Caps%2C148&sr=8-2
  • Vocal Sprays- I have two that I love:

vocal-throat-spray

or

https://www.amazon.com/Thayers-Peppermint-Mouth-Spray-bottle/dp/B008CQCXA4/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1TWG1Q0UFN21F&keywords=thayers+citrus+dry+mouth+spray&qid=1583074872&sprefix=thayers+citru%2Caps%2C142&sr=8-2

  • steamer https://www.amazon.com/Vicks-Personal-V1200-Targeted-Congestion/dp/B0000TN7MY/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=personal+steamer&qid=1583074907&sr=8-3
  • Manuka Honey Singles:  https://www.amazon.com/Kiva-SNAP-Packets-Certified-Zealand-Packets/dp/B082QTFGWJ/ref=sr_1_28?crid=SLFSKNG12TDA&keywords=manuka+honey&qid=1583075113&sprefix=mazuka%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-28

Conclusions:

Find practitioners in your area that will help! In my area, these are some that I depend on both for treatments like acupuncture, for medical consultations, and for homeopathic supplements.

  • Jason Neff, Phoenex Accupuncturehttp://www.phoenixtcm.com/
  • Dr. Allison Fox, Renew Integrative and Functional Medicine http://www.renewdirection.com/
  • Chis Butler, Wellpath Center of Millburn, https://www.facebook.com/TheWellpathCenterofMillburn/

I have also found a food regimen that works for me. With the help of the above practitioners, I have learned that sugars feed illness, so I typically avoid sweets. I have also led a gluten and dairy free lifestyle as well which I believe helps fight illness and for me has helped me stay well. I use to get almost monthly sinus infections but those days are long gone. Again, a good medical professional in ADVANCE of illness can help with all of this. We also ALL GET flus shots. I hope this helps you in time. Wishing you and your family wellness in 2020.

Filed Under: Voiceover Tagged With: coping, coronavirus, flu, flu shot, preventative care, strategies, strategy, voice over, voiceover, wellness

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