Have you heard about the concept of mindfulness? It involves being aware of the thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations that you’re experiencing at any given time (this is commonly referred to as “present moment awareness”). Practicing mindfulness offers numerous benefits, including:Reduced stress, anxiety, and depressionIncreased sense of well-beingEnhanced cognitive abilitiesSlowed brain agingLowered blood pressureImproved sleepPain managementImproved quality of life for individuals with ...read more
When is it Time to Ask for Help?
Depression is a complex mental health issue that varies widely between individuals. This is why it can be difficult for some people to recognize what may be a situational discomfort that may pass on its own, and what may be more serious and require professional help.The Difference Between Mild and Serious Mental Health IssuesIn order to measure the seriousness of a mental health issue, most mental health professionals look at what impact it has on the person’s everyday life. They also take into ...read more
Signs you Need to Take a Mental Health Day
Do you ever get up in the morning and wonder if it would be okay for you to take a mental health day? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, research from the American Psychological Association shows that today’s workforce is experiencing job burnout at alarming rates.What are Mental Health Days Exactly?The good news is that taking a mental health day every once in a while can absolutely help you cope with work-related stress. But mental health days should not be confused with sick ...read more
How to Tell When You’re Feeling Burned Out
Many people think of burnout as simply being incredibly tired after a long week or month of work or school studies. But burnout is much more than a physical exhaustion; it has in fact been called the “triad of depersonalization, emotional exhaustion, and feelings of detachment.” Here are some additional signs of burnout:PessimismPessimism is a major red flag that someone is experiencing burnout. And they won’t just feel pessimistic about whatever it is that is causing them big stress (job, ...read more
How to Support Your Mental Health Between Therapy Sessions
Therapy is a wonderful way to explore your inner world, process your feelings, and inspire transformation. But what my clients often tell me is that a day or so after our session, they begin to feel a little lost and anxious again.It’s important to support the progress you’ve made with your therapist in between your sessions. Here is what I advise my own clients to do in between our sessions:Keep Your A-ha Moments in MindTherapy is a space for profound A-ha moments. It’s important to hold onto ...read more
Walk and Talk Therapy: Nature’s Healing Power
For as long as there have been human beings on this planet, there have been people who took a walk when they were feeling a strong negative emotion. There is just something so beneficial about walking. It seems to calm us down and clear our head so we can think from a calm and logical state instead of an emotional one.So it makes complete sense that some people would be drawn to walk and talk therapy.What is Walk and Talk Therapy Exactly?Walk and talk therapy is a type of outdoor therapy and it ...read more
Beginner’s Guide to Focusing on Mental Health
These days, many people focus on their physical health. But few give much attention, if any, to their mental health.What does mental health refer to? Mental health describes a person’s overall psychological health and well-being. It has much to do with the way you feel about yourself, your ability to manage your emotions, how you deal with challenges and the relationships you nurture.While most people will experience mental health challenges at some point in their life, those who give no ...read more
Mental Health Effects of Excessive Screen Time
If we’re honest, most of us would admit we look at some form of digital screen more than we do the face of our friends and loved ones. From our phones to iPad, laptops and flatscreen TVs the size of an entire wall, screen time for most people is definitely on the rise. But what exactly are the mental health effects of all of this screen time?Sleep DeprivationWithout realizing it, many of us are hampering our natural sleep cycle with so much screen time. Our electronic devices emit a blue light ...read more
How Your Self-Esteem Affects Your Mental Health
Having a low self-esteem is something many people of all ages deal with. While a low self-esteem is not considered a mental health condition itself, the way we think about ourselves directly impacts our mental health and overall well-being.What is Self-Esteem?Self-esteem refers to the way people feel about themselves. Someone with a healthy or high self-esteem thinks positively about themselves and their abilities. They believe they are deserving of respect and have no problems setting healthy ...read more
Mental Health Effects of Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse is not as easy to spot as physical abuse, but oftentimes its effects can be just as traumatic. Emotional abuse can involve a wide range of tactics, including gaslighting, shaming and manipulation. All of these are intended to leave the victim feeling confused, powerless and hopeless.Typically people suffer from long-term or short-term emotional abuse, and depending on the length of time, there can be varying mental health effects.Long-term emotional abuse happens over many years. ...read more