Dr. Z, why are you talking about suicide? Because someone has to. I’ve lost people to suicide including a high school boyfriend, one of my best friends, and a cousin. Yet, no one, those closest to them, said it was suicide. My aunt said her daughter died of alcoholism, which is more acceptable in an…
Dr. Z, why are you talking about loneliness the day after Valentine’s Day? Because V-day is a constructed celebration that encourages us to spend almost $24 billion on candy, cards, and flowers to connect to others. Yet, no amount of money is going to solve our loneliness pandemic. Instead of spending money on “connecting” with…
When my now husband and I started dating, he told me one of the things he loved about me was my empathy and the one thing he couldn’t stand was my compassion. I hear you, Brother, it’s no picnic being an empath. Do you think I like walking into a room with my feelers out?…
Question: Do you set New Year’s resolutions? I don’t. If you do, there’s no shame in the game. I know at some level that committing to a resolution for a year wouldn’t work for me. I can barely commit to a to-do list for the day. Here’s the deal 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail….
The easiest job in the world is a meteorologist in San Diego because it’s always sunny and nice. This is the set up for what a wuss I am. I don’t like winter the shorter days (bring back Pacific Daylight Time), the “cold”, or the possibility of two or more consecutive days of rain. However,…
For decades, I’ve had a love-hate, okay mostly hate, relationship with my body. I believe the day I became conscious of my body was my first day of sixth grade. I walked into the kitchen wearing my mom’s creation of two-zippered pants and hippie flower top. She appraised me and said, “You look skinny.” It…
by Vasi Huntalas It was a warm and sunny day on the deck of the cruise ship. Laying on my lounge chair, I felt relaxed and happy chatting with my sister as we looked forward to celebrating my parents’ 50th anniversary on the cruise. My brother walked by and suddenly, rage flared up in me,…
This is the first of what we are sure to be many RANTS and RAVES brought to you by Dr.Z. She is enraged at how many of us are dying by suicides, opioid overdoses, obesity, alcoholism, isolation, gun violence, broken hearts, and more. Do you know what all these things have in common? Mental health….
Justine Bateman is embroiled in a scandal. Bateman is best known for her role as Mallory Keaton from the television sitcom Family Ties, a role she had from 1982 to 1989 (ages 16 to 25). For those of us in our 50s, we remember Bateman as the cute, fashion-conscious, airhead, who was the butt of…
For Jenn Simpson It’s a bleak statement, however, I don’t want to lead you on and pretend there is an answer. For me, this reflection began with COVID-19, and it came to a crescendo with the vaccine. For over 30 years, as a registered dietitian, I’ve been responsible for large community health projects to increase…