Music therapy is defined as “the use of music to address the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social needs” of groups or individuals. It can include playing or listening to music, writing songs, or doing guided imagery. Music therapy degrees are available to grads and undergrads, and all music therapists have to pass a rigorous certification. Practitioners work to address emotional issues, such as depression or grief, to cognitive conditions like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s.
5 Ways to Resolve Anxiety-Related Insomnia
Have you ever lain awake in bed feeling like your thoughts were running through your head nonstop? Has looking at the clock and seeing how long you’ve been trying to fall asleep made you feel even more wound up?
Many of us experience anxiety-related insomnia, and our attachment to nighttime use of our phones and TVs only exacerbates the problem. Luckily, there are strategies you can try, especially before bedtime, to help reduce anxiety and improve your sleep.
Nature As Self-Care
Nature’s Health Benefits It is widely accepted that time spent outdoors has both physical and psychological benefits. Yet, the average person spends nearly 87% of their time indoors and 7% of their time in vehicles. Put another way, most of us spend less than 5 hours per week in natural environments. This is a shame;… read more
5 Ways to Deal With Fear of the Unknown
You walk into work, coffee in hand and settle into your desk chair. As always, you log in to your email, scanning the inbox for any immediate calls to action. Your eye lands on a subject line that seems to blare at you: the company is being reorganized. You open it up to learn your… read more
Mental Health on TV: The Good, The Bad, and the Baffling
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 13 Reasons Why. This Is Us. These are just a handful of the many television shows tackling mental health issues today. Discussions of mental health on our televisions represent a radical change; there was a time when mental health was so stigmatized that people avoided discussing it within their families, let alone engage… read more
Making It Through a Trauma Anniversary
What is a Trauma Anniversary? Certain times of year bring old memories and associations to mind—for example, the holiday season may find you thinking more about family or personal ties, whereas the summer might get you focused on planning your next getaway. Much of the time, these associations are pleasant and connected to strong memories… read more
3 Signs Your Mental Health is Impacting Your Work
Is Your Mental Health Affecting Your Work Life? We all have times where we can’t focus, don’t feel motivated, or want to be alone. But when we’re dealing with chronic mental health concerns like depression or anxiety, these issues can linger and prevent us from being happy and succeeding in our careers. Are you concerned… read more
The Connection Between Anxiety & Sleep Disturbances
We all have our poor sleep horror stories; that night before a presentation when our minds were racing too quickly to let us nod off, or the time we went to a party we’d been anticipating for weeks, only to find ourselves too exhausted to enjoy it. Like bad weather, blemishes, and other unpleasantries, poor… read more
How to Use Art to Boost Your Mood
While negative moods are a natural part of life, we’d all enjoy a little boost from time to time. Chances are, as someone visiting a mental health blog, you’re familiar with some of the more common ways we can regulate our emotional wellbeing: therapy, exercise, socialization, and even medications (when applicable) are all perfectly legitimate… read more
Mastering the Art of the Tough Conversation
We’ve all been there: whether it’s with a roommate who keeps leaving out dirty dishes, a friend who borrows money without paying us back, or a significant other who isn’t pulling their domestic weight, at some point, we’ve all had to communicate with someone about an uncomfortable subject. These topics can be difficult to navigate,… read more
