There’s a scene in Charles Schulz’s iconic holiday classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, in which Charlie laments to Linus “Christmas is coming, but I’m not happy. I don’t feel the way I’m supposed to feel.” Snowflakes fall softly around them as other Peanuts characters glide across a frozen pond dotted by perfectly shaped pine trees. The… read more
Do I Need to Turn Off the News to be Happy?
In today’s digital age, news comes at us from every direction. Many of us want to stay informed so we know about changes that might affect our lives. Others feel it’s our responsibility as global citizens. Yet, often we turn on the news or open the paper only to be overwhelmed by deeply upsetting events.… read more
Making It Through 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 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
Should You Try Animal-Assisted Therapy?
Few people will deny the feel-good qualities of a goofy cat video or a picture of a dog and a bunny cuddling. Yet animals have much deeper therapeutic powers than you may find on a routine Youtube or Tumblr search. More and more people are turning to animals to provide treatment for a variety of… 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
How To Increase Our Willpower and Accomplish Our Goals
When achieving a personal goal, willpower is essential. In fact, the American Psychological Association credits a lack of willpower as the primary reason that we fail to meet our goals. How can we boost our willpower and create meaningful change in our lives? Set goals that motivate you. Strange as it sounds, we have a… read more
Which is Better, Idealism or Cynicism?
Just as people aren’t born “good” or “bad,” no one is born a cynic or an idealist. Our view of the world is shaped by our experiences—which is a relief, because it means we can change that view if we see fit. But which should we strive for, cynicism or idealism? A cynic is someone… read more
How to Decrease Feelings of Loneliness
The winter season may conjure images of cheerful faces and laughter around a crackling fire, but it can also be a time of loneliness for many people. As Psychology Today notes, for people who already struggle with loneliness, “[w]atching everyone around them connect to those they love makes their own feelings of emotional isolation even… read more
Take A Hike: How Outdoor Activity Builds Mental Health
In a day and age when technology reigns and face-to-face interactions have fallen by the wayside, spending time in the great outdoors has lost some of its popular appeal. Despite this, outdoor activities can play a major role in gaining and maintaining positive psychological health! By building communities with your fellow outdoorspeople, increasing your psychological… read more
