If work has left you feeling exhausted, on edge, or disinterested, you may be suffering burnout. Long hours, heightened responsibilities, and a lack of balance between work and home life have become the norm for many Americans following the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving workers feeling drained, pessimistic, and burnt out. What is burnout? Burnout is an […]
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We all know how important sleep is for our health and well-being, but have you ever wondered why we need it and how our bodies regulate it? The answer lies in our circadian rhythm – our body’s natural 24-hour cycle that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, hormones, and metabolism. Our circadian rhythm is controlled by an […]
Stress is a common concern in today’s fast-paced world, affecting people of all ages and backgrounds. It’s no secret that chronic stress can negatively affect your mental and physical health, causing issues such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, and even a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV), an essential indicator of your autonomic nervous system’s balance. […]
Self-care is more than just soaking in a bubble bath and applying expensive facial masks. It’s an essential part of our overall health and well-being and something we should all prioritize. Whether you’re dealing with chronic stress, struggling to get enough restful sleep, or simply looking for ways to boost your mood and energy, incorporating […]
Life is unpredictable. One moment you may be on top of the world, and the next, everything can come crashing down. What sets successful people apart is not how they handle Plan A but how they cope with Plan B. In this blog post, we will explore why it’s essential to have a backup plan […]
Self-compassion, the tendency to be kind and understanding to yourself when confronted with personal failures and challenges, is a strong predictor of positive mental health (Muris, 2015; Hwang, 2016). Studies indicate that high levels of self-compassion are linked to better life satisfaction and happiness and decreased self-criticism, depression, and anxiety (Neff, 2009). Self-compassion not only […]
This article by clinical psychologist Dr. Adeel Sarwar discusses the benefits of mindfulness techniques in managing ADHD symptoms. Do you often find it hard to stay focused, concentrate on tasks, and manage your emotions effectively due to your ADHD symptoms? If so, you are not alone. However, there is a solution – mindfulness techniques. Incorporating […]
From waking up in the middle of the night to finding it difficult to nod off, failing to get a good night’s sleep can leave you feeling awful the next day. In this article, we’ll explore eight simple hacks to boost your sleep quality—for good. So keep reading if you want to discover the key […]
There is always a lot going on in life, and you don’t need the extra burden of anxiety, stress, and worry. Left unchecked, stress can affect your mental well-being and lead to serious mental health issues such as depression. Once you become stressed, it can be hard to feel good again, but there are tactics […]
Everyone experiences stress differently and to varying degrees of intensity; it is an unavoidable aspect of life. While some stress is acceptable and may even be beneficial in certain circumstances, excessive stress may be harmful to both physical and mental health. The good news is that by developing a positive mindset, we can learn how […]
Mental health and well-being are growing concerns for businesses. People are more aware of how work and emotional well-being affect each other but may still have difficulty maintaining or improving their mental health. Here are six ways you can improve employee mental health in your business workplace. 1. Develop Concrete, Streamlined Strategies and Objectives Every […]
What is Urgency Culture? In the digital age, there has been a societal shift in our common ideas about productivity and leisure. As a psychotherapist, I find that my clients believe they must always be doing something in order to feel worthwhile or content. This phenomenon is commonly known as ‘urgency culture,’ which is the […]
Positive Mental health is fundamental for your emotional, psychological, and social well-being. In fact, your mind influences not only the way you feel and think but also the way you act. Sadly, mental health issues have been rising: indeed, the World Health Organization states that there has been a 13% increase in mental health conditions […]
Mental health is a complex subject. Mental health disorders affect people differently, and what typically works for one person may be a trigger for another. No treatment or activity is universally helpful in all cases. However, exploring your creativity through the plastic arts can be a fantastic method of boosting mental health. Let’s dive a […]
The world is becoming increasingly aware of mental health and how cumulative stress can interfere with our mental well-being. Despite this increased awareness and sensitivity to mental health needs, populations around the world are still experiencing rises in problems related to mental health. Many forces operating outside of the average individual’s control can play a […]
Creative wellness is the practice of using creative arts, such as music, dance, or painting, to promote physical, emotional, and psychological good health. It is a form of self-care that involves appreciating beauty in oneself and the surrounding world and expressing oneself through participation in the arts. Consider a creative pursuit that brings you joy. […]
The body’s autonomic nervous system (ANS) is responsible for automatic functions, including controlling your bladder, temperature, heart rate, breathing, and much more. Sometimes, people’s ANS doesn’t work the way that it should. This is called autonomic dysfunction or autonomic neuropathy and affects more than 70 million people worldwide. Cases can be mild to severe but […]
Everyone feels stressed at times. It is a normal human response to threats. Your body adjusts to new circumstances with the assistance of stress reactions. Stress can keep us focused, determined, and prepared to stay out of harm’s way. If you have a big test coming up, a stress response might make your body work […]
Taking care of your mental health is more important than ever. One of the best ways to do that is by practicing yoga. Combined with mental health treatment, yoga is an effective method for coping with anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It can also help improve your sleep quality. Still, […]
When you are depressed, you may find it difficult to get up in the morning. Even if you manage to drag yourself out of bed and find a way to dress, you may not be able to do much more than drag yourself along. You may believe nothing is worth doing anymore because it all […]
A strong company culture plays a significant role in employee happiness and productivity. It’s something more employers and business owners need to pay attention to since an estimated 83% of American workers struggle with work-related stress. That kind of stress leads to less productivity in the workplace and can cause employee retention to suffer. More […]
Most wellness experts agree that restorative yoga has many benefits, especially for beginners. It’s a holistic and therapeutic approach to physical and mental health. Regardless of whether you are young or old, mobility through passive stretching can help everyone. But beginners don’t always know where to start. With so many online and in-person classes available, […]
The past few years have seen an explosion in research into brain structure, organization, and function. As a result, brain fitness is becoming a crucial area of scientific investigation, much like physical fitness has been a central part of human health and well-being in the past few decades. Brain fitness refers to the brain’s ability […]
It’s a fact that we all go through hard times. One thing that all human beings have in common is challenges. They happen to everyone at different moments and for various lengths of time. Although challenges are sometimes daunting, they don’t have to be. Hard times can be an opportunity to emerge from the ashes […]
When coping with anxiety and depression, many options exist to help you deal with your daily struggle. Exercise has been proven to positively impact mental health, easing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and many other cognitive problems. There are also the obvious physical benefits of exercise, such as better heart health and improved quality of life. […]
Everybody loves getting lost in their favorite pastimes. Whether it’s eating fish and chips on the beach, sharing a bottle of wine with friends, or gaming late into the night, there’s nothing better than burning off steam and treating yourself to some luxury and fun. However, some habits can become destructive if taken to extremes. […]
Relationships require time, energy, and commitment. They are not created overnight. And as difficult as it is to start a relationship, it’s even more difficult to sustain one. The ride is not always smooth. It is bound to be bumpy, and sometimes you will need to put in that extra ounce of care to stay […]
Taking a holistic approach to mental health is the best way to go. It ensures that mind, body, and soul are aligned and helps us reduce stress, increase our output, and stay in a healthier state of mind. Therefore, investing your time in different practices that help feed your mind, body, and soul is essential. […]
Your mental health journey as a young adult was likely quite different from the one you now face. As an older adult, you may experience mental health concerns unique to this period of your life, such as depression, anxiety, and isolation. Thankfully, there are various ways to navigate these mental health challenges and any others […]
It starts with a twinge in the chest, a slight tremor in the hands, and difficulty catching a breath. My old companions, anxiety and depression, have joined me once again. Sometimes an event or a personal interaction precedes their appearance. Sometimes they show up out of nowhere and club me in the chest. As a […]
If you’ve ever lied awake at night staring at the ceiling, heart racing, and thoughts running through your mind uncontrollably, you know how damaging it can be to your sleep. Unfortunately, at night, when your body finally comes to rest is when your anxious mind comes alive. Anxiety affects over 40 million adults and ranges […]
Most of us are familiar with the effects of stress on our mood, emotions, and behaviors, but we may not be considering the impact on our bodies. During chronic stress, our sympathetic nervous system (“fight, flight, or freeze”) is upregulated to prepare the body for threats and conflict. While these physiologic changes are highly advantageous […]
Living in the modern world means stress is a normal part of life. The simple act of existing takes a toll on us all. From having to work stressful jobs to raising kids to worrying about bills, there is no shortage of things to stress us out. Although you may insist on being a relentlessly responsible […]
Mental health is a vital part of overall health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization, health is a condition of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, not just the absence of sickness or disability. Mental health encompasses much more than the absence of mental disorders or disabilities; it is mainly about quality of […]
If you constantly feel on edge or are riddled with anxiety and don’t know why you may need to take a minute to look around your own home. You may not realize it, but how you decorate, use your space, and interact with your housemates may be what is causing your anxiety to go through […]
“Life is suffering.” This phrase is associated with Buddhism and its Noble Truths. If you have struggled with your mental health, you know well how painful it can be to simply reside in your brain. In the context of the Noble Truths, the term “suffering” is an English translation of the Sanskrit word “duhkha” (or […]
Staying mentally healthy is a lifelong journey. Just like a plant, mental health needs care, attention, and support to flourish over a long time. You may not have a mental health disorder, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have to work on your mental health—it’s just a part of being human. Whether you struggle with […]
When you think about managing your mental health, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For many people, it might be seeing a therapist or counselor, taking medication, or practicing deep breathing exercises or meditation. Those things can help your mental well-being, and other mental health boosters such as spending time outdoors and exercising […]
Mental health is a broad term that encompasses such things as emotional regulation and psychological well-being. It is often contrasted with physical health, but mental and physical health are very much intertwined. Western medicine, in particular, tends to put more focus on physical health, while psychological wellness sometimes gets overlooked by medical professionals as well […]
There are plenty of things that can help calm the nervous system. Deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and certain medications can help to ease anxiety and nervousness. Sometimes, simply taking a break from whatever is causing the stress can be enough to help the nervous system relax. In some cases, though, more drastic measures may be […]
You didn’t plan to owe money. You’re financially aware of your income. However, life happens sometimes, and now you’re faced with more bills than you anticipated. Maybe your car broke down, leaving you with more prominent credit card payments. You had to take out student loans to receive a higher education only to find out […]
When you’re battling mental health disorders such as anxiety or depression, the last thing you want to do is exercise — but it’s actually one of the best and most important steps you can take. Moving your body can do so much good, even beyond burning calories and reducing your risk of disease. This is […]
It’s okay to feel sad. Some days we’re happy, and on other days we feel sad. It’s a normal emotion, and you need to allow yourself to go through the sadness. Don’t mask it or shove it aside. It’ll do more damage if you keep it bottled up. Accept the emotion but don’t dwell on […]
Routine and habit are ingrained in the human psyche. Adult personalities take at least 20 years to form, which is true for the behaviors and habits we acquire. Sadly, some of those habits and routines are not always beneficial to us. There aren’t many forces as powerful as your daily routines when it comes to […]
Body image covers so many aspects of our feelings about our appearance, from how we think others perceive our looks to comparing ourselves to ‘cultural norms.’ It even goes beyond appearance, affecting many people’s beliefs about what their bodies can and cannot do physically. With mainstream and social media channels at our fingertips 24/7, it’s […]
Everyone can have “one of those days.” But when you start to feel like everything is wearing you down over time, it could be a sign you’re suffering from workplace burnout. In one recent study, 76% of people have experienced feelings of burnout and agreed that stress at work has negatively impacted their mental health. […]
Mental health is complex and can involve many different factors, from the environment around you to your genes to what’s going on in your life. We are all individuals, and it’s important to remember that when considering your own needs. The COVID-19 pandemic has been incredibly stressful for a large portion of the population, and […]
You’re under pressure to meet a deadline. While you’re attempting to complete a project, your kids start fighting. The car is stuck in traffic, and you’re trying to fit in supper while you drive. To top it all off, you get an email reminding you that you’re overdue on a credit card payment. Your pulse […]
Everybody experiences stress at some point in their lives. For some, it’s just a fleeting feeling that passes once the source of stress is gone. But for others, stress can become a chronic problem that affects not just their mood but also their personality. Mental health experts note that stressed-out people tend to become more […]
Writing Helps Mental health issues are no longer a taboo subject. People of all trades and walks of life can be affected. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 53 million adults in the United States live with some form of mental illness. That is approximately one in every five adults. While the […]
Mental health in the workplace has been a concern for quite a while. Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, workers were battling stress and burnout on the job. The period of quarantine opened our eyes to start taking mental health in the workplace more seriously. Working from home during the pandemic helped some people slow down […]
Anxiety is a feeling that everyone experiences at some point. It’s normal to feel anxious when making important decisions, meeting new people, interviewing for a job, or encountering stressful situations. However, when anxiety ramps up and interferes with normal daily activities, this is known as an anxiety disorder. Medication is often the first line of […]
Many people minimize the importance of sleep because they don’t realize the long-lasting effects of not getting enough of it. Lack of sufficient sleep adversely affects your mental and physical health. If you’re having trouble falling or staying asleep, knowing the cause of your sleep disturbances can help you feel better. Your Circadian Rhythm May […]
Things were different a few decades back when you didn’t have to retreat to the countryside to find clean, breathable air. With global warming on the rise, the environmental side effects are wreaking havoc on physical and mental health. Mental health problems are also on the rise, and one unexpected culprit is the deteriorating air […]
Anxiety and depression are real. They continue to plague our society, arguably more so now than in past years. Life is already incredibly challenging. Slap a pandemic and economic turbulence on top of that, and out comes a surge of anxious emotions and depressing thoughts. Since most of these external events influencing our emotions are […]
Financial stress is a serious problem in America. Data collected by the American Psychological Association (APA) found that 61% of Americans say they feel stressed about money, and nearly three-quarters of respondents said they experienced mental health issues such as feeling overwhelmed, headaches, fatigue, and changes in sleep habits. The good news is that the […]
When people think about ways to relieve stress in their lives, things like meditation, yoga, and journaling often spring to mind. These are, without a doubt, excellent techniques. Getting a new best friend, on the other hand, might have several stress-relieving health advantages. While human friends give excellent social support and offer many benefits, this […]
Emotions are incredibly powerful and can overwhelm you. This is especially true when you are younger. Neuroscience shows that the limbic system is at the core of this issue. When you’ve lost someone important in your life, you can’t stop the sadness from taking over. Or when someone hurts your feelings, you may have an […]
Improve Your Work Productivity the Smart Way Here’s the truth: distractions are a part of life. Here’s the caveat: mismanaged distractions hurt your productivity at work. It takes an average of 23 minutes and 15 seconds to get back to work after you’re distracted. And distractions are everywhere, from mobile phone notifications, calls from friends […]
Have you ever wondered what makes people handle relationships so differently? You might start a friendship or romantic relationship and look forward to every text from that new person. Others grow more distant as they get closer to people, and it all depends on that person’s attachment style. These styles can seem complicated at first, […]
We don’t often notice the link between our environment and mental health. However, science has shown that they’re more connected than we realize. Research published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health reveals that green space, noise pollution, housing conditions, and even the weather can be triggers for mental health disorders. On the flip […]
Emotional intelligence is a concept introduced in the 90s by two psychologists, John Mayer and Peter Salovey. The two defined it as a form of social intelligence that involves monitoring one’s own and others’ emotions and using this information to guide one’s thoughts and behaviors. These are not separate skills. You need to identify and […]
Thanksgiving is a time of year to show gratitude for all your blessings in life. Sometimes we get so caught up in the hustle and bustle that we forget to take a moment to reflect and give thanks for everything we’ve been given. Being grateful can provide many benefits to overall well-being, which can help […]
The past two years of COVID-19, working from home, not seeing family and friends, avoiding restaurants, and not doing much of anything have led to anxiety in many of us. Some people develop anxiety when they are young and others when they get older. No matter the cause, anxiety can be unbearable, seriously affecting our […]
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a mental health crisis alongside it. As early as June of 2020, the American Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) collected data indicating that many people were experiencing mental health challenges due to the pandemic. In that study, 31% of respondents reported symptoms of anxiety or depression, and 11% […]
Do you struggle to wake up in the morning? Me, too. I used to struggle so badly that I’d press the snooze button until I had 15 minutes to be to work; just enough time to shower, dress, and rush out the door. Today, I get up two hours before I need to work (and […]
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, one in five US adults experiences mental health symptoms, with disorders varying in severity. From an economic standpoint, the demand for mental health services is dramatically outgrowing the supply. In a survey by the American Psychological Association, a third of psychologists said they are seeing more patients […]
2020 was, in a word, unprecedented. We entered the year as we did with any other – full of hope and New Year’s resolutions. Once the news began to break about the coronavirus, many Americans dismissed it as being “no worse than the flu” and focused on their plans for the year. Thousands of weddings, […]
We all experience anxiety. That feeling of creeping fear is an integral part of being human. For millennia, it’s alerted us to danger and ultimately kept us alive in the face of predators and other threats. In the 21st century, city-dwellers are seldom faced with hungry wild animals. Yet, people seem to be experiencing greater […]
Any occupation can be draining. Throw in some untreated mental health issues and pressure to keep struggling forward, and you have yourself a load that feels impossible to bear. Taking care of your own mental health while helping others take care of theirs feels like one of those burdens. As a mental health worker, I […]