Have you ever heard someone say that they love running not just because of how it makes their body feel, but also their mind? Over 55 million people in the U.S. run or jog recreationally, and for good reason. Most of us know that running offers a host of physical benefits, including improved cardiovascular health… read more
The Power of Gardening to Improve Mental Health
The Secret Garden, Frances Hodgson Burnett’s classic 20th century novel, tells the story of Mary Lennox, a girl relocated to England following the deaths of her parents. As she copes with her grief, she also faces ill health, loneliness and a slew of additional concerns that we now would recognize as major stressors. As you… read more
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
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
Not So Happy Holidays, ft. Regina Tosca, LICSW
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
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, 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
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
