How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism

How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism

April is Alcohol Awareness Month. In “How We Can Work Together to Fight Alcoholism,” published online in Psychology Today, Dr. Anton C. Bizzell urges all Americans to fight the deadly epidemic of alcohol use and abuse among both adults and adolescents. He notes that one in 12 adults abuse or are dependent on alcohol and that 885,000 young people ages 12-17 have alcohol use disorder. Alcohol sales soared during the pandemic, Dr. Bizzell points out, and online happy hours may have played a role. He suggests companies host a virtual dessert party or scavenger hunt instead. Parents can set a good example for their children and can avail themselves of resources at www.StopAlcoholAbuse.gov. The long-term health risks of heavy drinking include brain and liver damage, heart disease, malnutrition, and mental health disorders, Dr. Bizzell notes.

Read more: Psychology Today

10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness

10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness

In a recent Real Simple feature titled “10 Tactics for Finding Happiness During Times of Isolation and Loneliness,” Dr. Anton C. Bizzell is among a group of leading experts offering some of his time-tested suggestions. Among them are making intentional changes in your home space and getting enough sleep. Similarly, he recommends regular movement, anything from simple stretching to taking a walk in your neighborhood. Dr. Bizzell also offers advice for creating a “‘happiness journal’ to notice and build moments and experiences that care for your heart.”

READ MORE: Real Simple

Vaccination Success

Vaccination Success

Since 1796, when the first successful vaccine for smallpox helped reduce its spread, vaccines have been successfully developed and employed to diminish or eliminate highly infectious diseases.1 The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that the number of children worldwide receiving essential vaccines has increased from 20 percent to 86 percent since 1980.2 These efforts have protected communities against the spread of many infectious diseases. Despite the long history of successful vaccine development and use, many people struggle to trust that the current COVID-19 vaccines, derived from more than 20 years of research, are safe and effective. Yet, as Dr. Anton C. Bizzell, CEO of the Bizzell Group, notes in this Psychology Today vaccine article, “Widespread inoculation against COVID-19 will not only slow and eventually stop the spread of this deadly disease. It will begin our mental healing, raising the spirits of our country and our world from more than a year of fear, uncertainty, grief, and isolation.”  Building trust in the COVID-19 vaccines and expanding vaccine access to the hardest hit areas and those with low vaccination rates are crucial strategies for stopping the spread.

READ MORE: Vaccination Success

1https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/smallpox-vaccines#:~:text=The%20smallpox%20vaccine%2C%20introduced%20by,protected%20against%20inoculated%20variola%20virus

2https://www.who.int/news-room/feature-stories/detail/the-vaccines-success-story-gives-us-hope-for-the-future

2021 Predictions on Mental Health As We Continue to Work Remotely

Dr. Anton C. Bizzell addresses in a recent U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF) blog post how mental health is being affected as we continue to work remotely well into 2021 and beyond. Working remotely can lead to feelings of loneliness, increased stress, and difficulty concentrating and adjusting to the new work style. Still, we must recognize that remote work is part of the “new normal” and is here to stay as we continue to social distance and control the spread of COVID-19 into 2021, Dr. Bizzell believes. Remote work will very likely remain in some form beyond the pandemic, he writes.

READ MORE: U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation (USCCF)