High Anxiety: The impact of ‘doomscrolling’ on our mental health
Volume
28
/ Issue 26
Cover Design Credit:
Scott SouthwickCover Photography Credit:
iStock
Doomscrolling — compulsively consuming negative social media or news — can create anxiety and sadness. People who doom- scroll want to be better informed about a rapidly changing world, but local mental health providers say the behavior often becomes an unhealthy pattern.
arts
Around Town: Asheville artists bring signs of hope to former Vance Monument site
Will art murals return to Vance Monument? Also, ARTSVILLE Collective opens in the River Arts District, signs of spring appear in gallery show and astrological gardening workshop, and more!Local veteran finds purpose through music and friendship
Longtime friends Jeremy Boger and Kevin Rumley discuss their musical bond, as well as their upcoming show that benefits the Western North Carolina Veterans Treatment Court Foundation.food
Nonalcoholic beers offer alternatives and risks for those in recovery
The decision for many to forgo alcohol poses challenges when it comes to socializing. For some, the recent boom in the nonalcoholic beer industry provides a tasteful way to participate…What’s new in food: 900 Degreez Artisan Pizza heats things up in Asheville
900 Degreez Artisan Pizza, a new food truck, brings a unique look and menu to Asheville. Also: Forestry Camp reopens, Zadie's Market hosts new dinner series; and plenty more!living
Couples counseling flourishes amid COVID-19 pandemic
“People are just calling left and right,” says James Colvin, a licensed marriage and family therapist in Asheville. “Last week I must’ve had seven or eight calls. I hate turning…Q&A with Dr. Tiffany Sauls, psychiatrist providing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
Medical school did not teach Dr. Tiffany Sauls anything about psychedelics. “Not at all, other than to stay away,” she says with a laugh. But as she moved into her…Health checkup: Meditation and cognitive therapy
Xpress recently caught back up with Gary Ray, who shares with readers his efforts at keeping himself centered and the perks of revisiting old books.Q&A with Henry Begner of Smoky Mountain Counseling
Xpress speaks with Henry Begner, licensed clinical mental health counselor, about treating anxiety and depression through connection, mindfulness and wilderness therapy.Health checkup: The power of therapy
Clarissa Donnelly-DeRoven, rural health and Medicaid reporter with North Carolina Health News, says that therapy can be an effective tool for managing mental health and recommends a way for the therapy-curious…Health checkup: Staying active and taking control
Antwon Small, a classically trained dancer who moved to Asheville in 2018, speaks with Xpress about meditation, journaling and podcasts.Q&A with Kelly Bruce, forest bathing guide
Kelly Bruce, a certified Forest Therapy Guide with Natural Wanders and Asheville Wellness Tours, speaks with Xpress about her approach to the work and what people can expect from a…Health checkup: Cleansing the heart and mind
Nicolina Ruiz, a Latina herbalist, energy healer and owner of Casa Alchemista Botanica, tells Xpress that a healthy body begins with a clear mind.Health checkup: Mind, body connection
Lisa Lefler, Western Carolina University's director of culturally based native health programs, tells Xpress that physical health is intrinsically tied to the nature, spirit and relationships with others and ourselves.Health checkup: Getting outdoors
Danny Bernstein, an avid hiker, hike leader and outdoor writer speaks with Xpress on the benefits of maintaining a schedule, setting goals and healthy eating that benefits the body and brain.WNC mental health providers warn of ‘doomscrolling’
When Tiffany Schultz finally quit Facebook, it came after years of unease with the division and negativity she saw there. She joined the social network in 2006 but says she…Health checkup: Community support and emotional intelligence
Jamie Brazell, a local AASECT-certified sex therapist and group practice owner of Out of the Woods Therapy, shares her thoughts with Xpress on the perks of a rotating playlist, the need for…news
Public records release sheds light on Council retreat planning
Xpress made a formal request on March 26 for “all planning materials, documents, emails, invoices and other records” related to Asheville City Council’s then-upcoming retreat, planned for March 31-April 1.…Local educators find peace after walking away
Area teachers discuss their decisions to leave the classroom and how their lives have improved as a result.Parents of toddlers navigate masks, day care and feelings
Katie Ford, a family therapist, says it’s too early to tell if the societal shifts spurred by COVID-19 will have long-term effects on children born into this world. But she…opinion
Letter: All across for crossword puzzle
"Please stop printing the crossword vertically. It makes life just that much more difficult for us bathroom solvers."Letter: Biltmore Forest deserves shelter
"It is a fundamental indirect purpose of homeless shelters and housing projects, not only to shelter people directly, but to make the neighborhood more affordable by slowing gentrification and speculation,…Letter: Leave out coercion and ridicule in medical decisions
"People should be free to consult with their physician and weigh risks versus benefits before making any medical decisions without being coerced and ridiculed."Letter: Huge benefits of vaccine outweigh low risks
"For her, the vaccine has been a godsend, allowing patients and staff some protection against this catastrophe. Not just for patients, but for all of us, especially those with vulnerable…Weather vane
Letter: Caution about vaccines is justified
"It is a choice to be vaccinated or not, and the better informed people are, and not just by the institutions pushing for vaccination, the more we are able to…Letter: We need a boot camp for the homeless
"A special hearing 'court' can spell out the program — leave our community or be confined to boot camp."Letter: Let’s really talk about homeless encampments
"It’s not enough to just ask for suggestions about 'what to do with ‘these’ people.' We’re talking about human beings with diverse needs and circumstances."Letter: The value of abundant, walkable green space
"The book is In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration by neuroscientist Shane O’Mara. I strongly encourage all readers to read it and put its recommendations into practice in…Modest proposals