It’s normal to contemplate the state of the world and life itself; for some, though, these questions stir up intense emotions like distress and despair that last for months or sometimes years. While existential depression is not a formal diagnosis, it is sometimes used to describe these cases of depression…
If you’ve ever felt too much in your feelings and you can’t move on from negative, intrusive thoughts, you might be experiencing rumination. People who ruminate seem to be at higher risk for multiple psychiatric disorders, including depression and anxiety. Rumination appears to be caused primarily by difficulties in shifting…
Yoga is often misunderstood as simply a way of stretching the body. While yoga poses are important, using yoga for anxiety management can be more successful if we see yoga as a multi-dimensional process. The word yoga literally means union and was invented as a way to help us balance…
Trust issues are characterized by fear of betrayal, abandonment, or manipulation. And this fear is often triggered as a result of betrayal (such as infidelity), abandonment (think: leaving a child or foregoing a relationship with them), or manipulation (for example, dishonesty or gaslighting). If you’re reading this, it’s possible that…
Depression is characterized by deep sadness and a loss of interest in once-loved activities. Those who are depressed might wake up after a long night’s sleep and still feel miserably tired. They might forget to do simple things like brush their teeth or eat a meal (or two). They might…
I’m about to put myself out of a job. Okay, I may be exaggerating a bit, but I do think the following idea could decrease a lot of arguments and lead to better relationships. Introducing: The Internal Emotion Thermometer Let’s first think about the concept of having an internal emotion…
There’s a difference between self-soothing and self-care. The former offers short-term relief while the latter can contribute to greater wellbeing that lasts. Self-care for parents isn’t the same as me-time or self-improvement. It’s sustainable, nourishing, and compassionate. Checking in with yourself doesn’t have to feel like another chore, and you…
Neurodiversity is a term coined by sociologist Judy Singer to refer to natural variations in the human brain, driven by epigenetics. The neurodiversity movement rejects the idea that people with ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions are somehow defective. As a society we need to value and accommodate neurodiverse children…
An effective self-care strategy requires identifying practices that work specifically for you: practices that you’ll enjoy engaging in and stick to. You can identify these practices by asking yourself, “What self-care practices align with my values and my interests?’ For example, if you’re a people-person and relationships are most important…
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…
Stress can be defined as something that is under an uncomfortable amount of pressure. In this case, that something is a someone and it’s you! And you’re tired of it. But now what? What can you do to slow down this stress? The following have worked well for clients of…
Due to COVID-19 and the lifestyle changes we have been forced to make, many of us are struggling with anxiety, stress, feelings of loneliness, and other difficult emotions. Fortunately, self-care activities such as mindfulness can help us to work through these emotions and relieve any anxiety or stress we might…