IN-PERSON AND TELEHEALTH THERAPY & MEDICATION MANAGEMENT IN VIRGINIA

I'm Dead, Now What?

Planner - Important Information about My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes

By Peter Press

The title alone made me laugh: I’m Dead. Now What?: Important Information About My Belongings, Business Affairs, and Wishes. It’s direct, a little unexpected, and honestly, kind of perfect for a topic most of us would rather avoid. I spend a lot of time talking about the importance of planning ahead, and this book offers a simple way to get started.

I’m Dead. Now What? is really more of a workbook or organizer than a book you read from beginning to end. It includes tabbed sections for personal information, medical information, key contacts, finances, important documents, pets, and your wishes. If you're someone who loves a planner, checklist, or having everything in one place, you'll probably appreciate this book. More importantly, it takes what can feel like an overwhelming task and breaks it down into manageable pieces.

I filled mine out several years ago and recently went back to update it because, as we all know, life changes. That experience reminded me that end-of-life planning isn't necessarily a one-time project. Our relationships, responsibilities, and wishes can change, so it makes sense that our plans might need to change too.

I think this book can be helpful for anyone who wants to get organized, families navigating a terminal illness, or anyone who wants to make things easier for the people they love. Planning for death doesn't have to be morbid; having important information organized and your wishes documented can bring a sense of clarity and peace. What I appreciate most about this book is how practical it is. It helps turn the idea of end-of-life planning into something you can actually do, rather than something you keep putting off.

Stop Overthinking 

by Nick Trenton

Nick Trenton, an expert in behavioral psychology, wrote Stop Overthinking to simply lay out 23 techniques for those who struggle with overthinking or rumination. He draws from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), mindfulness, stress management, and some Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) techniques to help readers build awareness, learning cognitive skills/Socratic questioning, practice staying present in the moment, learn to regulate emotions, allow uncomfortable thoughts and feelings to exist, and take small, consistent actions that align with our values even when motivation is low. This book is a  practical resource for those looking for straightforward suggestions for managing stress and rumination.