Depression, Mental Health Topics A Social Media and Depression Story—What’s the Connection? by Taylor Bennett on May 10, 2018 Instead of setting New Year’s resolutions, I set New Month’s resolutions. So, rather than brainstorming a few different goals to tackle throughout the year, I set one main goal to tackle each month. In January, I set a fairly simple goal of journaling each night. In February, I (regrettably) challenged…
Depression, Mental Health Topics Can You Feel Depressed After a Breakup? How Can You Feel Happy Again? by Taylor Bennett on May 10, 2018 If you’re anything like me, you don’t take change or rejection well… which means you probably don’t take breakups so well. I mean, who does? Breakups—whether you’re the one who has initiated the split or not—aren’t fun. In fact, they’re the very opposite of fun: they’re emotionally, mentally, sometimes even…
Depression, Mental Health Topics Sports and depression: Is there a link? by Taylor Bennett on May 9, 2018 For some, it’s just a game. But for others, it’s a lifestyle. I’m talking about the players of course, but there’s another group that fits the bill: die-hard sports fans. For players and die-hard sports fans alike, there’s more on the line than a game lost and a slight blow…
Health & Exercise, Mental Health Topics What Constitutes An Unhealthy Lifestyle? Can An Unhealthy Lifestyle Lead to Depression? by Taylor Bennett on May 8, 2018 Depression—a mental health disorder characterized by a depressed mood, which causes significant impairment in one’s everyday life—is the leading cause of disability worldwide, according to a recent study by the World Health Organization. This illness comes with crippling symptoms, from feelings of hopelessness to fatigue, irritability, and suicidal thoughts. Some…
Community, Mental Health Topics Why Is Connecting with Others Important? by Taylor Bennett on May 4, 2018 I’m guessing you’ve heard the term “self-care” before, right? And you probably associate it with a few specific images: sinking into a warm bubble bath, scribbling in a journal before bed, or maybe meditating quietly on a yoga mat. These are all accurate representations of self-care (or at least they…
Loneliness, Mental Health Topics Spend time alone without feeling lonely: A simple, beneficial self-care strategy by Taylor Bennett on May 4, 2018 A year or so ago, I read a poem that really resonated with me: “Loneliness is a sign you are in desperate need of yourself.” This one-liner, which is written by Rupi Kaur and featured in her best-selling book Milk and Honey, sums up the importance of spending time with…
Mental Health Topics, Psychology, Self-Improvement How Can Positive Affirmations Change My Life? by Taylor Bennett on May 4, 2018 Let’s get straight to business. First and foremost, what in the world are positive affirmations? Positive affirmations are statements that help us overcome those negative thoughts that clog up our minds. For example, “I forgive myself for my imperfections, I’m only human,” or simply, “I believe in myself and my…
Mental Health Topics, Sleep Why sleep is so important, plus 6 tips for sleeping soundly by Taylor Bennett on May 4, 2018 Guess what: What is likely one of your favorite all-time activities comes with some pretty amazing benefits. It takes little to no effort, you can do it from the convenience of your own home (and often do), AND you don’t even have to get out of bed. In fact, you…
Health & Exercise, Mental Health Topics Exercising and Eating Well: These Two Self-Care Practices Are Vital to Your Wellbeing by Taylor Bennett on May 4, 2018 For some reason or another, people roll their eyes at the term self-care. But really, we should all be talking about self-care and bragging about how we prioritize our wellbeing rather than feeling ashamed or embarrassed. Because without implementing the proper self-care techniques, we are nowhere close to becoming our…
Mental Health Awareness, Mental Health Topics, Self-Care, Work & Careers Mental health days: What are they? When are they appropriate? by Taylor Bennett on May 2, 2018 When we’re debilitated by a painfully sore throat, stuffy nose, and pounding headache, we’re quick to call out of work. When we’re injured with a broken arm or sprained ankle, we don’t think twice about taking a couple days off. But when we’re stressed out of our minds or struggling…
Mental Health Topics, Self-Care Give Yourself a Break: Why Taking a Break Is a Good Thing by Taylor Bennett on May 2, 2018 Two words: snow day. Kids everywhere scream excitedly because they don’t have to go to school and adults breathe a sigh of relief because they get an unexpected day off of work—guilt-free. That’s why snow days are magnificent. They give you a break, from school or from work, and there…
Mental Health Topics, Psychology, Self-Improvement How Can Journaling Help Me? Tips for Keeping a Self-Care Journal by Taylor Bennett on May 1, 2018 I’ve always loved to write. (Go figure.) Therefore, I’ve always loved journaling. I got my first journal in elementary school; it was a bulky, white, furry diary with a rainbow patch in the center of the front cover. I thought it was the coolest thing ever and wrote in it…