Learning how to relax: Simple relaxation techniques and other stress reduction tips by Laura Harris, LCMHC | Aug 4, 2023 | Mental Health Topics, Self-Care Stress is simply a fact of nature—forces from the outside world affecting the individual. Sometimes stress can be positive: exciting and inspiring, looking forward to new opportunities. Other times stress may have a more negative effect: intense mental pressure, muscle tightness, or anxiety and nervousness. Your body responds to stress…
Why am I stressed for no reason? What’s behind “irrational” stress and ways to relieve it by Christine Ridley, LCSW | Apr 28, 2023 | Mental Health Topics, Stress Stress is a very prevalent part of life for many people, and can be a source of discomfort and strain, especially when you don’t know how to deal with it. Unless you have actively tried to establish routines and strategies for relieving stress, it’s likely that you have some lingering…
National Stress Awareness Day: Learn about the dangers of stress and how to better manage it by Hannah DeWitt | Nov 3, 2022 | Mental Health Topics, Stress Worry and stress are feelings that everyone faces in their daily life. Stress can come from many aspects of living. At its core, though, it’s meant to be a sort of warning bell within the body, alerting it to danger or hazards both physical and psychological. In moderation, stress can…
I’m experiencing a lot of anxiety — how can I manage it effectively? by Emily Simonian, M.A., LMFT | Jul 20, 2022 | Anxiety, Ask a Therapist, Mental Health Topics Q: I’m experiencing a lot of anxiety and I want to manage it effectively. It’s weighing very heavy on me. A: Hi there, Thank you for reaching out! We’re so sorry to hear that you’re struggling with anxiety. While experiencing anxiety is common, we know how hard it can be…
Understanding & utilizing mindfulness by Jason Crosby | May 19, 2022 | Mental Health Topics, Religion & Spirituality, Self-Care To be fully present as a human being—that’s the goal of mindfulness. Though it sounds lofty, being mindful isn’t nearly as difficult or strenuous as it appears on the surface. Mindfulness is about coming to terms with reality and how our personal experiences truly make us feel. It’s about the…
A straight-forward guide about anxiety and how to manage it by Taylor Bennett | May 11, 2022 | Anxiety, Mental Health Topics If we had to guess, you’re no stranger to anxiety. You’ve heard, read, and talked about it — more importantly, you’ve probably experienced it firsthand. But few of us truly understand what anxiety is or how to deal with it. And even fewer know the difference between day-to-day anxiety and…
When you’re too much in your feelings: How to hack brooding rumination by Wistar Murray | May 3, 2022 | Coping Skills, Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics Mental health advice on the Internet often boils down to a few general teachings about emotional regulation. We’re encouraged to learn coping skills and strategies for dealing with stress. We’re supposed to become more resilient in the face of adversity. We’re meant to manage our negative feelings in healthier ways….
What is more important: following your heart or making others happy? by Emily Simonian, M.A., LMFT | Apr 18, 2022 | Ask a Therapist, Mental Health Topics, Self-Improvement Q: What is more important? Following your heart, mind, body, and soul, even if it means hurting others’ feelings and emotions, or continuing to live in denial to make your dying spouse, special needs child, and others happy? A: Thank you for reaching out. I really feel for you and…
I am feeling super overwhelmed and alone: What are some things that I can do to calm down? by Emily Simonian, M.A., LMFT | Apr 7, 2022 | Ask a Therapist, Feelings & Emotions, Mental Health Topics Q: I am feeling super overwhelmed and alone. What are some things that I can do to calm down? A: We’re so sorry to hear that you’re feeling overwhelmed and alone. Those feelings are really difficult and we understand that it can be hard to find ways to calm and…
These three self-care techniques help to combat stress and anxiety: Meditation, sleep hygiene, and learning to say no by Taylor Bennett | Oct 15, 2020 | Anxiety, Mental Health Topics, Self-Care, Stress Many of us take care of our physical health without thinking twice about it: We eat and we exercise; we stretch and relax; we moisturize dry skin and apply sunscreen; and we consult a doctor when we feel physically ill or hurt. But when it comes to our mental and…
Mindfulness: A quick fix for anxiety, stress, and feelings of loneliness by Taylor Bennett | Apr 3, 2020 | Anxiety, COVID-19, Loneliness, Mental Health Topics, Stress How are you feeling right now? If we were to guess, you’d probably say you’re doing okay. And while that might be true, it’s probably also true that you’re struggling with anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, and/or other difficult feelings. Due to the spread of COVID-19 and our efforts to…
Dispositional mindfulness: an internal, non-judgmental practice that supports mental health by Dan Tamasulo, PhD | Oct 7, 2019 | Mental Health Topics, Self-Care Numerous methods of therapy and spiritual practice discuss mindfulness. Dispositional mindfulness (also recognized as trait mindfulness) is a category of consciousness that has lately, been given more serious research attention. It is defined as a keen awareness and attention to our thoughts and feelings in the present moment, and the…