Katie Seavey Pegoraro supports employees with issues of stress and balance, providing tools and resources to cope when life feels overwhelming. Katie is a contact for those who may be coping with issues of mental health, substance use, or grief and loss. A young professional herself, Katie is a unique support to employees who are navigating the many life transitions that occur in your 20's and 30's.
From this pandemic, every one of us has experienced some kind of loss or something that feels taken away. It could be a person, an activity, an event, an opportunity or even conceptual things like a sense of safety or normalcy. When I worked for hospice, it was routine to
The last year and a half has certainly exacerbated many stresses that people were already facing. Unfortunately for many, complicated dynamics and tensions with family were not immune during this time. I was curious to look back at previous Work/Life posts that address difficult dynamics. Although all were created pre-pandemic,
One of my areas of focus is mental health and I have a personal/professional commitment to normalizing seeking resources for support. It makes sense for me to write a post on mental health resources for PRIDE month. It makes sense given that LGBTQ+ individuals experience a higher rate of mental
In the US we are seeing rapid changes related to COVID-19 cases, the ending of mask requirements and messages of “a return to normal”. I want to be sensitive to the fact that not all parts of the US or the world are seeing improvements and in some places the
My coworker recently shared this post in Grown and Flown from a mother of a teen who lives with both depression and ADHD. This is a timely share as we approach May which is Mental Health Awareness Month. I’d encourage you to read to better understand this experience or, perhaps,
These days I'm hearing from people who are feeling out of place. Of course they want a world without COVID-19 and for life to feel like it used to. But as others make future plans and celebrate the potential return to "normal", they are feeling hesitant or more uncomfortable than
*This interview was recorded last summer, but the realities of the pandemic and alcohol use are still relevant today and so I am re-sharing this post. We continue to experience unique stressors, uncertainty, grief and isolation. This video provides specific steps you can try today to assess and alter behaviors
Since I was a teenager, I’ve had trouble sleeping. From hypnotherapy to melatonin, I've tried all kinds of lifestyle changes and strategies to get better sleep. No matter what helps, I am never immune to those nights at 3 AM where my mind won’t seem to shut off. No surprise
As I write this blog post, we are nearing the milestone of 500,000 deaths in the U.S. and 2.5 million worldwide. In the U.S. we are also nearing the one-year anniversary of that week in March where the realities of the pandemic set-in and everything changed. We are all caught
November 26th and 27th most of us had time off. How was that time for you? I hope it was good - within pandemic-adjusted terms. If it felt in anyway less satisfying, fulfilling, relaxing...or it just felt...different...here are some things to consider. We are in a pandemic. This cannot be
It’s been a few years since I read Priya Parker’s The Art of Gathering, but it continues to inspire me to think about purposefulness in relation to gathering. A good gathering, a good friendship, a good relationship; all are going to be the product of mindful and purposeful effort. As
A few years ago I wrote a blogpost titled, An End to "But": More kindness and complexity in our words. I'm revisiting the concept as it seems apt for our times. With most of us living in increased isolation, the voice in our head may feel louder than ever. Now
Right now people are living with a great amount of grief and uncertainty. We can’t dismiss our feelings or our very justified worries and concerns. However, we can have a both/and way of thinking. It may help to think of it this way: When we are anxious or uncertain, our
When the pandemic began, a therapist told me that the one thing that would be consistent during this time is the fact that my emotions would be inconsistent. This would be one thing I could actually count on. My acceptance of this has been my lifeline for getting through this
Each of us has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic in a myriad of ways. In March we dove deep, headfirst, into a number of emotions and a new way of life that is ever-evolving. Some people may find they are drinking more in one night or more days of
A message from the Work/Life Center: We are getting many requests from employees asking what they can do to challenge racism and to support their Black coworkers. We love that we work for a company with this level of concern. In our last blog post we shared some thoughts on context as
A message from the Work/Life Center: It is not surprising that the SAS community is deeply moved and troubled by the recent examples of racism that reflect larger systemic problems in our nation. Work/Life wants to respond to your requests for ideas about supporting colleagues and taking action in your community. We understand the urge to act and will provide suggestions in our
It can be nice to take a break from COVID-19 topics. In this blog I am writing about something else I find myself discussing often: imposter syndrome. I would say I discuss it most often with young professionals, but I’ve heard from people of all ages that they experience it,
It’s Mental Health Month and the COVID-19 pandemic has increased awareness of the importance of caring for our mental health and wellbeing. If you’re someone who has lived with a mental health condition prior to COVID-19, now is the time to tap into the skills and resources you have been
For those of us who live with our partners, our relationships have quickly turned into coworking, Coronavirus fear sharing, constantly interacting partnerships. Here are some things to consider as you adjust to these new normals. Have tips to share? Please comment below! We are more likely to remember when things
Work/Life wanted to know the creative ways SAS employees are coping with the temporary changes caused by Coronavirus precautions. We asked how you are coping with working from home, working from home with kids, keeping entertained at home, and how you are staying centered and connected with others. Here is
Almost five years ago I took a big leap and changed jobs. After interning and then four years working as a hospice social worker, I was ready for something different. My heart was and will always be with hospice work, but I wanted to learn something new. When you work
In my office is a coaster with this quote from Kathleen Norris: “Anything, everything, little or big, becomes an adventure when the right person shares it.” The right person could be anyone, but for the sake of our annual Work/Life relationship series, I'm thinking about romantic partners. In the context
This guest post was written by Candice Creasman, PhD, owner of Creasman Counseling. The Work/Life Center is so grateful to Candice for sharing her expertise with SAS employees and their families. You can learn more about Candice and Creasman Counseling at the bottom of this page. Should I Stay or
For the last two months I’ve seen commercial after commercial with smiling faces, catchy tunes, and kids running around houses full of good food, presents, and family. This season, we’re encouraged to remember what “matters”. Here’s something else to remember: the goal of these commercials is for the company to
You’ve probably grown accustomed to seeing men with more facial hair in the month of November. First, there's the No-Shave November movement, when men do not shave their beards to “evoke conversation and raise cancer awareness”. This is an honorable mission however there is another one of a similar nature
"Take care of yourself!" Sound like something you hear often? This instruction may conjure up fixed ideals of what "taking care" means: getting to the gym, making smoothies, meditating, or getting more sleep. But gym memberships aren’t for everyone, not everyone has a blender, and we may not be able
There are many articles and blog posts about the benefits of quiet time and daydreaming. The concept sounds great, but also easier said than done. Creating the time and space for this "day dream" state can be difficult. I get it. I literally have to trap myself on a bus
Dr. Enrique Lopez, Adult Medical Services Director of Holly Hill Behavioral Health Hospital, sat down with Work/Life to discuss mental health crises treatment and support. The first podcast explores what one can expect when seeking treatment at a behavioral health hospital. The second podcast addresses how to provide support to
I recently hosted a Digital Dial-Back Challenge. For two weeks participants chose a form of technology they wanted to assess and potentially reduce their use of. This was not a detox. Instead, by creating a plan including strategies and "alternative actions", participants found increased opportunities to be aware of their
