HEALTH

Look for the good in your 2020 year-in-review

Dec 31, 2020, 10:20 AM

Stock Photo - Unsplash...

Stock Photo - Unsplash

SALT LAKE CITY — Pandemics, protests, partisan bickering — as we look back at the year in review, we’ve seen it all in 2020 and then some. But psychologists say rather than dwelling on what’s bad about the year 2020, it’s healthier to look back and focus on what was good. 

Finding the good in the year 2020 

Family therapist Doug Goldsmith says calling 2020 the worst year ever focuses on the negative, without giving any credit to people for what they learned dealing with the issues of the year. 

“Saying this was the worst year ever, this was a horrible year, is not mentally healthy. It’s important that we say and we say to our children is, ‘Wow. This was a year with a lot of new challenges,’ — and that families take stock of how they handled those challenges,” he advised. 

One way to do that, Goldsmith said, is to look for reasons to be thankful. 

“We won’t take it for granted that we can go out to eat and enjoy ourselves at a restaurant, we won’t take for granted going out to a movie,” Goldsmith said. 

Salt Lake City residents rise to the challenge

KSL found a number of Salt Lake City residents who found silver linings to the cloudy year 2020. 

One woman told us she learned to appreciate exercise and fresh air. 

“Visiting on porches with friends and going for long walks in the out of doors in fresh air and seeing things you don’t always take the time to see,” she said.  

Others mentioned stronger friendships and connections over the year. 

“We went out on a Bear Lake trip after like, a week of knowing each other, and it was really fun, we had a lot of really good memories together,” another man said. “I kind of consider them like some of my best friends now.” 

Still, others told us about new hobbies or skills they learned. 

“Personally, I was fortunate enough to be able to make the most of being at home on the internet, taking a lot of classes, furthering my education,” another woman said. 

Contributing: Paul Nelson


Cougars & Earthquakes & TP, oh my! Our most popular stories of 2020 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Health

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Waverly Golden

Younger adults are becoming more susceptible to strokes

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible to stroke.

11 months ago

Melissa Coleman crouches next to her husband, , Brad Coleman, of North Ogden, who sits in a wheelch...

Jenny Carpenter, KSL.com

Young stroke victim survives with quick, lifesaving treatment in northern Utah

After a 36-year-old man had a stroke, he and his wife say to be aware of the signs of stroke and that young people are also at risk.

11 months ago

(Canva)...

Michelle Lee

How, and why, a hobby can bring joy to your life

If it brings you pleasure, is meaningful, and you can do it regularly, you've got yourself a hobby! Here's why they can benefit us so much.

11 months ago

A new release from Intermountain Healthcare shows that younger adults are becoming more susceptible...

Alexandrea Bonilla

Utah clinics winning the fight against overprescribed antibiotics

Intermountain Health and the University of Utah found that urgent-care facilities were more likely to prescribe antibiotics as a quick, easy solution.

11 months ago

Utah Food Bank...

Allessandra Harris

Utah Food Bank aims to ‘Stamp Out Hunger’ this summer

The Utah Food Bank is joining forces with the Letter Carriers Union to collect non-perishable food items for those in need.

11 months ago

...

LEANNE ITALIE AP Entertainment Writer

Mommy blogger Heather Armstrong, known as Dooce to fans, dead at 47

Armstrong had laid bare her struggles as a mother and her battles with depression and alcoholism on her site, Dooce.com, and on social media since 2001.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Look for the good in your 2020 year-in-review