Mental Health Topics

When one is hurt by the world—initially by our parents or caretaking environment—it is a natural human reaction to try to control our external environment. Having a controlling personality is not considered to be a personality disorder; however, contemporary psychodynamic theory and practice see DMS-V personality disorders as being environmental…

The big 5 personality traits make up a five-factor model, used to evaluate an individual’s main qualities; these qualities include openness, conscientiousness, extroversion, agreeableness, and neuroticism. Those who score high on the openness scale enjoy new experiences and are curious in nature; their downfalls can include unpredictability and a lack…

Think About the “Why” “It’s important to look critically at what their motivation really is—what’s driving their interest, and will it really be helpful to them?” –Joe Casey, Executive Coach and Retirement Coach “Each person has their own unique journey toward meaning and happiness. We must each ask ourselves: where…

Do you work well with others? If your answer is no and it’s affecting your job, consider a few different personality types that have a more difficult time collaborating with others. Depressive personalities are hypersensitive and don’t take feedback well; if this sounds like you, you can improve your skills…

Everybody needs a break from work—but it isn’t always easy to tell whether the real need is a vacation from your job or a new job altogether. Fortunately, you can use several techniques to help you determine where your needs lie: such as the 3, 2, 1 Method. The 3,…

Every job comes with obstacles, but those obstacles aren’t always worth it; sometimes the right thing to do is quit your job and move on. So, how can you determine if it’s time? The key is to consider your own role in your happiness at work; are you utilizing all…

We all get distracted at work, but if we don’t nip this problem in the bud, it can become more frequent and more difficult to resolve. You can try remedying this problem by putting and keeping your phone away: according to recent research, your phone can be a distraction even…

Flow is a concept in positive psychology that refers to a state of being completely concentrated on the task at hand. Artists and athletes are known for entering flow, as they often “lose” themselves in their work, whether they’re painting a masterpiece or getting in the zone during a game….

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…

Within the field of positive psychology, we have learned that our happiness is comprised of three main components: 1) our genetics, 2) our life situation, and 3) our thoughts and behaviors. Our genetics account for approximately half of our happiness, but I used to think our life situation (e.g., health,…

The PERMA model is characteristic of the positive psychology movement; it offers a comprehensive understanding of how we can accomplish optimal wellbeing. P stands for positive emotions: it’s important we experience positive emotions like pleasure, love, inspiration, and gratitude. E stands for engagement: we experience engagement when we become completely…

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…