Does it seem like every day brings a news headline or social media post that makes you feel overwhelmed or anxious? If so, you’re not alone. Just hearing and seeing what is going on in the world can have a direct effect on your mental health.
“Hot enough for ya?” This - or another similar phrase - is repeated almost daily at this time of year. It’s a hot summer. We all want to know how to cool off. The physical heat can make tempers flare. And anger is a normal emotion, so we all feel that “heat” of anger from time to time. How can we cool the flames of anger?
A good night’s sleep is closely tied to physical and mental health. Proper sleep is shown to improve attention and concentration, assist in converting short term memories to long term memories, keep your heart healthy and immune system strong, reduce stress responses, and improve mood.
Did you know that June 24th through July 24th is Self-Care Month? The month culminates in Self-Care Day on July 24th; this date reminds us that we can practice self-care 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Self-Care Month 2024 The Oxford Dictionary defines self-care as "the practice of taking an active role in protecting one's own well-being and happiness, in particular during periods of stress.” Self-care goes way beyond relaxing in a bubble…
In 1967, MLK, Jr. gave the keynote address at the annual conference of the American Psychological Association.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Get outdoors to boost your mental health! Being outdoors can lift your mood and lower anxiety.
Years ago, as a budding mental health professional, I took a job at a residential treatment center for emotionally and behaviorally challenged youths. I lived and worked alongside teens at a rural camp, where we slept in cabins.
“If you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours. If it doesn’t, it never was.” This quote, widely attributed to Richard Bach of “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” fame, conveys the meaning of a proverb that appears in many cultures and languages.
We live in a stressful world. Anxiety is a part of the human condition. Many people complain of feelings of anxiousness, ranging from occasional mild worrying to full-blown anxiety disorders such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Phobia, or a specific Phobia.
Change is an inevitable part of life. Transitions are all around us – births, deaths, graduations, anniversaries, moving to a new residence, marriage, divorce. Beginnings and endings are occurring constantly. Some are small and mundane: the ringing of the alarm clock to signal the start of a new day, or the finishing of a good book. Some are major and catastrophic: the destruction of the World Trade Center buildings, or the recent earthquakes in Haiti and Chile.