TIME Magazine had a helpful article about navigating uncomfortable conversations, and Amy summarizes some of their tips because with everything going on – racial justice reckonings, Covid-19, wearing masks or not wearing masks, politics and the election – many of us are having to confront friends, relatives, coworkers, and even complete strangers, and our conversations are probably less than productive. The first tip is to not start the conversation assuming the worst. Sometimes we build up a lot of anxiety over a difficult conversation, and it makes our approach negative and counterproductive. Similarly, try to be open to the other person’s point of view. Simply being open to listening to them can lessen the severity of their opinions. Another good tip is to know when to walk away. At some point, it’ll be clear that there’s nothing you can say to the person; either end the conversation completely or redirect it to safer waters and try again later.

The time we’re spending on social media, the difficult conversations we’re having with loved ones, the negative news around the pandemic and politics, on top of everyone’s individual challenges of working from home, looking for employment, dealing with the kids, and running a house, is definitely affecting everyone’s mental health. Amy has a few tips for managing these stresses in the most healthy way possible, including taking news breaks, scheduling a time to worry about things, giving ourselves “transition time” because none of us are used to having to do everything from one location, creating a list of small accomplishments we can achieve everyday, and many more. She also tells us some of the best foods for our kids’ brain development and how to help them have a healthy relationship with eating; get all these great tips and more on this episode of 4 Things With Amy Brown.

"You all just witnessed the Super Bowl of State of the Union speeches," Jimmy Fallon proclaims as he portrays the President post tonight's SOTU Address.