Mental health providers often see new clients reach out to inquire about therapy when they are already in a state of stress or crisis. Dealing with crisis is definitely a great time to reach out for support! However, it is important not to terminate therapy as soon as you’ve worked through a stressful event. This can actually be a wonderful time to continue working with a therapist on self exploration and future goals.
Read MoreThe end of the year is a time of reflection. It’s a time to look back on how we’ve changed, learned, and grown. We like to think about what we’ve accomplished this year and what we can improve upon in the year to come. We all have areas of our lives that we would like to enhance, whether it be our health, our relationships, our careers, or how we spend our time. By being self-aware and checking in with ourselves, we can make a plan to be an even better version of ourselves in the year ahead. It’s helpful to focus on the one or two areas of your life that you most want to improve instead of taking on everything at once. Here are some helpful prompting questions to get you started…
Read MoreWhen you’re battling a mental health issue such as depression or bipolar disorder, it can be hard to maintain proper hygiene. Depression may make it difficult for people to get out of bed and face the day, let alone shower and brush their teeth. On the opposite end, anxiety and OCD can cause people to obsess over hygiene on a daily basis. But what role does hygiene really play with our mental health? How important is it to set up physical hygiene check ups with ourselves? And how can we strike a healthy balance with hygiene in our lives? Let’s explore…
Read MoreIs it tough for you to balance having a good time and prioritizing your mental health? Does one have to come at the expense of another? The short answer is no: you can keep yourself busy with plenty of enjoyable experiences while making time for taking care of your health. Here is the key to keeping your focus on both: having fun is a part of self-care. It can become an integral part of prioritizing your mental health. If you need some inspiration to find your positive summer mental health vibes, here are some tips…
Read MoreAs we enter another few months of colder weather, shorter days, and an unfortunate rise in COVID cases, it’s essential that we continue to implement wellness strategies to nourish both our mental and physical health. Gut health is imperative to overall wellness—especially to your immunity and brain function. The gut is often referred to as the “second brain” as it communicates with the brain, and it is the home of nearly 80% of your body’s immune cells. How can you best take care of your gut health? Here are some helpful tips…
Read MoreLife always pushes and pulls us in many directions. Between work, school, kids, friends, family, obligations to the community, etc, it’s hard to find the time to slow down in both body and mind. Do you ever feel so distressed that you have to leave the environment that’s making you stressed? By briefly removing yourself from an overwhelming environment or activity, you tend to feel better. You may not realize it, but you’re employing a DBT (Dialectical Behavioral Therapy) skill called “brief vacation.” Let’s explore how it works…
Read MoreWhen you go on vacation, do you still remain connected to work? If you’re spending just as much time taking calls and answering emails as you are relaxing on the beach, consider taking an “unplugged” vacation. An unplugged vacation is a growing trend in which people avoid cell phone use entirely in order to reap the benefits of being disconnected. Whether you want to take a phone-free vacation or limit your phone usage, here are some tips to make the most of your vacation...
Read MoreEvery day, people suffer from stress. You may feel the pressure of an upcoming presentation at work, or you may feel like you’re being stretched to the limit between running errands and getting your kids to school and to extracurricular activities. The demands of life can take a toll on your mental health. That is why it is crucial to have a coping method that you can utilize to combat the stress you feel. Here’s one scientifically proven, effective way to relax: guided imagery. This is how it works...
Read MoreDid you know that the average person has between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day? Imagine if we each believed every thought we had. We would swing from one thought to the next every two seconds, and attempt to determine our states of being and potential action steps over 50,000 times a day. Sounds crazy, right? There’s a reason why Buddha called this “monkey mind”! Buddhists believe that if we tame the “drunken monkeys” or racing thoughts in our mind, we will achieve more inner peace. Here are 3 simple ways to calm your overactive (monkey) mind:
Read MoreTransitions can be difficult for adolescents and parents, so the transition to adulthood is definitely no exception! It’s important for your child to feel comfortable talking to you about some of his or her stressors, anxiety, fears and worries about the transition. Autonomy can be simultaneously liberating, scary and challenging.
Here are 4 Life Skills for your emerging young adult to practice and master in order to help make the transition smoother:
Read MoreDo you ever feel like no matter how much you do during the day, it still isn't enough? Life can be stressful, especially when you have kids. Whether you are a mom to a colicky newborn, or a mom of three, it's easy to let stress build up and feel like you have little time to yourself.
Here are 4 easy ways for busy moms to de-stress - and it won't cost a thing!:
Read MoreDid you know that the average person has between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day? That’s at least 35 thoughts per minute! Can you imagine if we each believed every thought we had? Read on for three simple ways to calm your mental clutter....
Read MoreThese are just a few strategies you can implement on a daily basis that will help you feel more grounded and prepared for life's ongoing challenges...
Read MoreSmiling is essential to a sense of well-being and happiness! Research shows that a smile can communicate JOY to your brain. How does it work? Your brain communicates with your cranial muscles to produce your smile. When the smiling muscles in your face contract, a message gets sent to your brain that you are happy...
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