Volunteering can seem like an impossible time commitment: Work, relationships, and our home life may get in the way of giving back, even if we want to volunteer. But if we make time to volunteer, not only will our perception of time become stretched, we’ll also experience lower levels of…
Journaling enables us to express and process our emotions as well as our thoughts without judgment. However, the act of journaling is more difficult for some than others. If you’re interested in journaling but unsure where or how to start, mental health prompts can provide direction and offer health benefits,…
Is a generous act still generous if the giver demands recognition? Is selfless behavior still selfless if it’s caused by a stroke? Generosity means “giving good things to others freely and abundantly”, and it’s basically the defining characteristic of the holiday season. Psychological, social, and situational factors can influence how…
When I first met my now-husband’s friends, we all went out to dinner. When we were eating dessert, one of the wives said, “I have known several girlfriends through the years, and he never shares his dessert with anyone. He must really like you!” I laughed, thinking she was kidding….
Click here to schedule online counseling at Thriveworks. Hi, my name is Stacey Jaundoo and I am a clinician at Thriveworks Counseling in the Bethesda, Maryland area. And I wanted to just talk with you a little bit about how the Coronavirus is really impacting a lot of our lives…
A materialist is someone whose life is centered around acquiring more goods. Materialists correlate their happiness with their possessions. They claim that these products are the key source of their life fulfillment and a representation of their success in life. The question, “Would owning more things make me happier?” is…
During the holiday season, there’s a distinct emphasis on giving thanks for all that we’re fortunate enough to have. But in trying to make the season festive, we often put unnecessary stress on ourselves and each other. As a result, we might not feel as merry as we could. That’s…
Gratitude is all about showing your appreciation for the good things in your life; and engaging in gratitude practices is incredibly beneficial to your health. Some scientifically proven benefits of practicing gratitude include a boost in self-esteem, improved quality of sleep, and enriched relationships. One gratitude practice in specific can…
It’s easy to get down on ourselves and feel a little unlucky or unfortunate; but the reality is, we all have something to be grateful for. Take, for example, your very existence! The chances of you being, well, you are slim to none; therefore, you should celebrate even being alive….
Many of us celebrate Thanksgiving by helping ourselves to a plate stacked high with turkey, potatoes, green beans, and pumpkin pie—but the holiday isn’t just for eating delicious food! The whole point of Thanksgiving is to give thanks for all of your fortunes such as the incredible people in your…
How often do you say, “This is the worst day ever,” or maybe even, “I hate my life”? Probably every now and then. A lot of us are easily disheartened when things don’t quite go our way, and we quickly engage in these irrational thoughts. Sure, doing so is only…
The hustle and bustle of Christmas is officially over. You know what that means—it’s just about the new year! Just a few weeks ago, you were writing down inspired resolutions for this very occasion. But now that the new year is on your doorstep, you’re just not sure how to…