Cannabis withdrawal syndrome was prevalent among regular cannabis users, according to new study findings.

The findings highlighted that clinicians must be aware of the high prevalence of cannabis withdrawal syndrome to counsel patients and support those reducing their use of the substance.

To view report findings, click here.

Since many of us don’t have our ergonomic office chairs at home, our other set-ups might be starting to wear on our bodies. The following are a few activities to keep in mind to help you feel better and, hopefully, be more productive.

Get up from your work spot every 30 minutes, or at least every hour. Even a quick loop around the house helps. Staying sedentary makes our muscles tighter and more uncomfortable. Getting up also helps ease eye strain from looking at the computer all day.

Stretching works wonders. This can be a longer practice, like yoga, or even just doing the following stretches a couple times a day.

1. Put your chin down to your chest and then look up to the ceiling.
2. Slowly turn your head to the left, then turn your head to the right.
3. Put your left ear to your left shoulder, then your right ear to your right shoulder.
4. Interlink your fingers in front of you and stretch forwards.
5. Interlink your fingers behind your back and stretch backwards.

Maintain hobbies that keep you moving. For example, knitting is good for arthritis and keeping dexterity of movement (but note that if you haven’t knitted for some time, start slowly to prevent aggravating some symptoms). Other hobbies that help you to move are baking, making music, restoring furniture, making origami, sewing, and many crafting activities.

For those who enjoy exercise classes, YMCA 360 is offering free, online group exercise classes like Boot Camp, Barre, Yoga and low impact programs for seniors. Many other companies have also switched to online services you can try for free via streaming services and wellness apps. Plus, several fitness coaches have taken to social media to share their classes.

We hope you try some of these activities to make your working from home time more enjoyable!

Mixed within coronavirus news, we wanted to highlight some of the positive new stories of the week.

This week:

• World Health Day was celebrated on Tuesday and we saw global support for our healthcare workers.
• Episode two of Some Good News, hosted by John Krasinski, came out this week. This week he planned an awesome video call including the cast of Hamilton singing one of their most famous songs - Watch here
• San Diego teens from a local robotics team created and donated 400 face shields to health care workers - Read here
• Basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, known for wearing goggles during his career, donated 900 pairs of safety goggles to health care workers at Scripps Health - Read here
• Local companies, artists, and residents are making masks to donate to healthcare workers and others who need the protective cover.

If you’re looking for more of this positive content, check out the Good News Network Upworthy, and Good News from Today.

The precarious intersection of the COVID-19 national health emergency and the concurrent epidemic of drug overdose deaths is outlined in the Annals of Internal Medicine this week by Dr. Nora D. Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), part of the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Volkow discusses how the serious health risks of COVID-19 pose unique challenges to people who smoke or vape, are already struggling with substance use disorders (SUD), or are in recovery from addiction.

For complete News release click here.

2-1-1 San Diego is a resource and information hub that connects people with community, health, and disaster services. This is a free, 24/7 stigma-free confidential phone service offered in more than 200 languages and dialects for the for the entire population of San Diego County

2-1-1 can connect callers to:

• Food resources, such as meal distribution sites, shopping hours, and meal services
• Utility resources, including payment assistance and discount programs
• Housing, including shelter information, information on eviction, and rent or mortgage payment assistance
• Financial, Income & Employment Resources, regarding the Worker Assistance Initiative, emergency funds, and benefits
• Childcare referrals
• Healthcare connection, enrollment for insurance, and delivery services
• Public Benefits, like CalFresh food benefits
• Material Goods & Supplies, including diaper bank locations and hand washing stations
• Transportation services for essential needs
• Mental Health hotlines, services, and resources
• Criminal Justice/Legal concerns and support
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Donations

By simply dialing 2-1-1, clients are linked to a live highly-trained Client Service Representative (CSR) who will navigate them through their situations by assessing their needs and then matching them to the best and closest resource in their community. They also offer a searchable online database.

This is a great resource for someone who may need assistance in this challenging time. For more information, visit https://211sandiego.org/resources/health-wellness/covid-19-resources/