If you find yourself dealing with anxious thoughts and not having a place to let them out or process them, journaling can be an effective way of managing those negative thoughts. When anxiety is stored in our bodies, it can create tension and increase cortisol levels which in turn, can have a negative impact on the way that we cope. One very useful tool in helping managing the anxious thoughts while providing relief is journaling. Below are three great benefits on how journaling can help with anxiety:

AnxietyNicole Silverman, LSWMarch 27, 2024anxiety, tips for anxiety, journaling

Warning Signs of Anxiety

We all experience some form of anxiety in our lives. Nerves are common and worry is a natural emotion. But when does our worry become to much? How do we know if our anxiety is excessive? Here are some early warning signs for anxiety disorders, and things to look out for if you think you may want to talk to someone regarding your anxiety:

Anxiety, Help for AnxietyLauren BroadwellNovember 15, 2023anxiety

Six Strategies to Help Manage Perfectionism in Your Home

Perfectionism can serve a purpose in each of our lives, though sometimes it causes problems and contributes to stress. It’s an exhausting pursuit that can stifle healthy risk-taking, growth, progress, and discovery.

Anxiety, Helpful tipsErica Kokoszka, LAMFTJuly 12, 2023reduce anxiety, anxiety, perfectionism

Anxiety and "Coming Out"

Sexual orientation makes up most of our identity, questioning that aspect of self can sometimes be anxiety inducing for a multitude of reasons. Within sexual orientation, the concept and idea of the individual coming to an understanding of who they are as a person and their sexual preference can provoke an identity crisis, which can in turn cause anxiety. It is known that the LGBTQ+ community experiences a higher risk for developing mental health disorders, especially Anxiety and Depression.

Anxiety, LGBTQ+Nicole Silverman, LSWJune 28, 2023LGBTQ+, anxiety

The Secret to Being a Supportive Parent

Seeing your child struggle may be one of the most difficult things to experience as a parent. Whether it’s watching them fall down at the playground or reading their rejection letter from their top choice college, it’s equally painful to witness. As a parent, your instinct is to fix your child’s problem or soothe their pain as quickly as possible. But what if the distress you’re feeling is more about your own discomfort than your child’s? The secret to being a supportive parent is helping your child without enabling them. Where do you draw the line between being there for your kid and doing the hard work for your kid? And how do you manage the stress that comes along with this? Here are some helpful tips…

Ways to Recognize Anxiety in Yourself and Others

For many people, feelings of anxiety can be overwhelming. It’s one thing if you feel anxious from time to time—but how do you tell the difference between feeling anxious and dealing with an anxiety disorder? Symptoms of anxiety can interfere with your life if you experience them on a regular basis, or they can make you feel uncomfortable even in doses. By recognizing when you’re experiencing anxiety, you can determine its impact on your day-to-day routine. Here are a few questions to ask yourself or a loved one. While it’s not a foolproof “anxiety screener,” it can help you identify your anxiety and better understand when it may be time to seek help…

Anxiety, Improving your MoodEmily HudakJanuary 18, 2023anxiety, self-help, mental health, questions

How to Cope with a Panic Attack

Do you sometimes experience intense moments of anxiety? If so, you’re not alone. It’s common to face moments of panic from time to time, especially if you have an anxiety disorder. Moments of panic or full-out panic attacks can happen in high-stress situations, whether you’re diagnosed with anxiety or not. They can be unpleasant, difficult to deal with, or downright debilitating. The next time you find yourself in a moment of crisis, put these helpful tips to use…

How Group Therapy Can Help Your Child

Does your child struggle with managing their emotions or maintaining healthy interactions with others? Your instinct may be to enroll them in individual therapy and have them talk to a therapist one-on-one. However, individual therapy is not your only option. Consider group therapy as well! Group therapy might be a better fit, or it may be a helpful supplement to individual therapy sessions. How exactly does group therapy help your child? What are the benefits of this type of therapy compared to a one-on-one session? We’ll explain…

The Benefits of Being Mindful Outdoors

When you think of mindfulness, do you think, “That doesn’t work for me”? This perception is more common than you’d think. It’s totally relatable to think that mindfulness won’t work for you because you can’t sit cross-legged, tuning out the world, in a complete internal silence. Here’s the good news: to practice mindfulness, you don’t have to do that at all! If you are someone who also cannot imagine tuning out the world and your daily stressors, try to TUNE IN instead. To truly practice mindfulness is to take notice of the body, thoughts, and emotions in the present moment and without judgment. And one of the best ways to begin a successful mindfulness practice is to practice outdoors. We’ll explain how you can get started…

Using your Breath to Soothe Feelings of Fear and Panic

In moments of fear and panic, you may not know what to do. Your mind is racing, your heart is beating rapidly, and you may start to sweat in response to the intense emotions. You may not realize it, but you have a tool handy at all times to reduce these powerful—and at times, overwhelming—emotions. You don’t need to pack it with you, because it automatically goes wherever you go. What is this tool, this key to soothing fear and panic? It’s your breath. Your breath is your lifeline. It sustains you without you even thinking about it, and it can help you in times of crisis too. Your breath can help regulate your body physically, mentally, and emotionally. All you have to do is be mindful of it. Here’s how it works…

Helping your Child Overcome School Avoidance

Does your child show apprehension or refusal about going to school? If so, they’re not alone. It’s estimated that 10% of kids experience some form of school avoidance. School avoidance could show up in different ways, including significant separation anxiety from a parent, fear of being in a crowded place, social anxiety, bullying, academic challenges, and low self-esteem. When your kids refuse or do their best to avoid school at all costs, it can leave you feeling helpless or frustrated. So what can you do to help your child develop a more positive attitude towards school? Here are some helpful tips…

The Benefits of Meditation

Meditation is a centuries-old practice that has recently made its way into the mainstream. An increasing number of people are practicing meditation at home and in groups. There are countless apps and videos claiming to undo your stress and unwind your mind. But how effective is meditation and how can you utilize this tool to help with daily stress and anxiety? Let’s dive in…

How Weighted Blankets Can Alleviate Anxiety

If you struggle with anxiety or if you have ever felt overwhelmed, you may know some tricks to calm yourself down. A common tactic is to hold your hand over your chest and apply pressure, which reminds yourself to stay grounded and acts as a soothing gesture. If you’d like to amplify this calming affect, try using a weighted blanket! Weighted blankets can be very helpful to people who struggle with anxiety, panic attacks, sensory overload, and more because they are a form of pressure therapy. Applying pressure to your body, like when you hold your hand on your chest, contributes towards feelings of calm. Here’s some additional information on weighted blankets and their benefits…

Grounding Techniques to Practice When You’re Anxious in Public

Anxiety can creep in at the most inconvenient times—like when you’re in class, when you’re out with friends or when you’re out and about in any public space. Anxiety can barge into your mind, seize the direction of your thoughts, and transport you far away from the present in an anxious tailspin. This disruption of your thoughts can pull you away from enjoying the present moment or even being able to concentrate on the task at hand. If you find yourself struggling with anxious thoughts, try practicing these grounding techniques to bring your attention back to the present…

The Dark Side of Perfectionism

Often times, perfectionism is romanticized by our society. People are praised for being particular, hyper-detail-oriented, and exceptionally thorough in school, at home, or at the office, etc. While goal-setting and having high standards is beneficial in most settings, there can also be a dark side to perfectionism. Perfectionism can have a negative effect on people’s mental health in a variety of ways. Consider the following reasons as to why striving to be perfect can become dangerous…

Are You Experiencing Anxiety?

Dealing with anxiety can be an overwhelming experience. Symptoms of anxiety can interfere with your life if you experience them on a regular basis, or they can make you feel uncomfortable even in doses. Luckily, recognizing when you’re experiencing anxiety and identifying when to ask for help can make a huge difference in your mental health. Consider these four ways to identify when it may be time to seek out help…

Fact or Feeling? What's Really Going On

As a parent, it may be difficult to separate facts from feelings. You sometimes find yourself acting on a temporary emotion when the evidence does not support this response. Consider using the skill, “check the facts,” next time you’re feeling that your reaction isn’t matching up to the situation. Check the Facts helps you to modify your response to a level that is appropriate for the situation, or to respond with a more fitting emotion. Before you act, ask yourself, is the way that you are feeling and thinking about a situation factual? Let’s explore how you can find the proof first…

3 Foods to Help Manage the Stress of the New Year

A new year is a time for new goals. It’s a time to plan for self-improvement and aspire to achieve more in the year ahead. You may aim to learn a new skill, be more present, lose weight, etc. With all of these new goals comes new stress. This year, take a nutritional approach by integrating foods that help with stress reduction. Fuel your body with foods that help you work towards your objectives without suffering from as much stress. Below are three foods to incorporate in 2021 that help manage stress…

How to Deal with Life's Uncertainty

Is life’s unpredictability getting to you? We’re in the midst of uncertain times. Between the implications of the coronavirus pandemic and the election results, many people are feeling understandably uneasy. We’re not sure what the future will look like and that uneasiness is causing us distress. When we feel fearful or overwhelmed, we have a natural tendency to go into fight (criticize, yell, get into arguments), flight (run away physically or mentally), or freeze (shut down or isolate) mode. This occurs because our minds and bodies are perceiving the uncertainty as a threat. While it’s okay in the short-term, it can take its toll on our bodies in the long-term. Chronic stress can cause us to feel fatigued, to experience anxiety or depression, and to suffer from sleep issues, among other things. It’s not healthy to be in this mode more often than necessary. Luckily, you can escape the constant state of stress and combat the unpredictability. Here are some quick tips and suggestions to give your mind and body a breather...

How to Cope with Election Anxiety

It’s possible that you’re facing election-related stress. With November 3rd just around the corner, most Americans are understandably anxious. The uncertainty of who our next president will be has everyone on-edge. The first step to coping with any kind of anxiety is to acknowledge how you’re feeling. Recognize that you are feeling increasingly nervous, or more easily frustrated, or more emotionally volatile. Next, develop ways to address the impact of your emotions today, before the election, and after the election results are announced as well. What can you do to remain emotionally resilient in the days ahead? Here are some helpful tips…

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