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 that are tied into your… read more
3 Signs Your Mental Health is Impacting Your Work, ft. Melanie Shapiro, LICSW
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
Boosting Your Mood With Creativity 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… 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
The Physical Symptoms of Mental Illness, and How to Combat Them, ft. Sarah Levy, LGSW
Our physical and psychological health are inextricably connected—so much so that issues with our mental health can manifest as bodily pain or disruptions. Below are a few common physical symptoms of anxiety, depression, and other psychological conditions, as well as suggestions from therapist Sarah Levy, LGSW on how you can treat them. Everyday Symptoms Fatigue,… read more
Increase Your Productivity…by Taking a Break
In today’s productivity-focused culture, many of us feel the need to constantly be working. As a result, Americans are spending more and more time in the office. According to Psychology Today, “working hours in North America and the U.K. have steadily risen in the last 20 years. A DIT research report found that 1 in… read more
4 Mental Health and Therapy Myths, Debunked
Mental health problems are costly—not just in terms of the money (though the global cost of mental health care was estimated to be a whopping $2.5 trillion in 2010), but in terms of time, energy, and life satisfaction. Debilitating psychological symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and the inability to feel joy are often compounded by comorbid… read more
Somatic Resting to Decrease Stress: 2 Examples of Resting Practices and How to Apply Them
In need of some relaxation? Clinician Erin McClearly, LICSW, recommends somatic resting techniques for those looking to decrease symptoms of stress. Somatic resting is any sort of relaxation related to our physiological functioning. Typically, it involves activating the parasympathetic nervous system, the part of our nervous system that relaxes our muscles, lowers our heart rate,… read more
Reiki Myths: True or False?
What do you know about this fast-acting, effective anxiety treatment? We sat down with Viva practitioner Cheryl Hughes to answer a few basic questions.
