Mental Health Topics

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) causes an individual to experience uncomfortable sensations in their legs, of which can typically be alleviated by movement. These sensations usually occur at night, when the individual is sitting or lying down and can have serious implications on their sleep quality. RLS is currently classified as…

Back in my college days, there was a period of time—maybe two to three weeks—when I couldn’t sleep. I’d lay down, pull the covers up to my chin, and close my eyes tight. But nothing would happen. Or, at least, what I wanted to happen wouldn’t happen. Instead of drifting…

There’s a man chasing me through the woods. I hear him gaining on me with every step I take. Then suddenly, I hear nothing. The footsteps are gone. I decide to take a moment to catch my breath before carrying on… except, wait, where am I? And where am I…

Socializing plays a huge role in our health and wellbeing—unfortunately, many of us fail to fulfill our social needs in the cold days of winter. Why is socializing so important? Because it brings us pleasure, helps us stay active (which is also important to overall health and wellbeing), and fights…

Many of us struggle to find the motivation to work out, especially in the winter; however, it is possible to implement an effective plan for working out during this cold season. First, you should build your exercise plan into your schedule—instead of loosely saying you’ll exercise today, block out a…

While some of us simply despise the cold weather characteristic of winter, others actually suffer significantly from a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder or SAD. This particular type of depression is thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight; symptoms include feelings of despair, difficulty sleeping, and…

New research shows that if parents want to successfully reduce their children’s screen-time, they should cut back on their own screen-time. Kids are spending more and more time playing on iPads and sitting in front of the TV, which feeds an increase in obesity among children. The researchers sought to…

In the fall and winter, we’re especially vulnerable to a form of depression called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or winter depression, which is related to shorter days and a lack of sunlight. Fortunately, there are several effective treatments for SAD including light therapy, antidepressants, talk therapy, and self-care. With light…

Many of us struggle during the winter months with stress and anxiety, which stems greatly from deviation in routine. Fortunately, if we take a few extra steps to take care our mental health and wellbeing, we can get back to a happy place. You should start by making self-care a…

A coworker surprises the team with a box of doughnuts, each covered in sugary icing, sprinkles, and candies and filled with jelly, chocolate or pudding. A birthday party is never complete until a cake is presented with layers of sugary frosting at least two inches thick. The child having a…

Hallmarks of Sex Addiction While people are starting to recognize the prevalence and problems created by excessive sexualized activities and pornography, what is broadly termed “sex addiction” remains cloaked in mystery, even for many therapists. One of the challenges in defining and treating sex addiction is the fact that sex…

Between shopping for gifts, preparing for lavish dinners, and having visiting relatives and friends, the holiday season creates more stress than we might realize. This can lead to feeling burned out, tired, cranky and it might even make us miss out on the joy that is supposed to accompany this…