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
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
Are you being pushed out of your window of tolerance? Ft. Stacey Thompson, LICSW
Have you ever had a day when losing a sock can send you into an emotional tailspin? Or you forget to send an email, and it causes you to question your self-worth? Felt that you were overreacting to something, had no idea why and felt unable to stop? You’re not alone. We’ve all had days… read more
What Do Our Nightmares Mean?
Sleep is supposed to be restful; yet when we’re having a nightmare, it’s anything but. Whether we’re being terrorized by a fictional monster (that girl from The Ring, anyone?) or grieving a dreamed loss, nightmares steal our energy away rather than restoring it. So why do we have nightmares? And how can we reduce their… read more
Planning a Stress-Free Vacation
Summer is finally here, and many of us are getting ready for some much needed rest and relaxation. We know that taking vacation time helps us feel refreshed and energized; that’s why schools and offices have weekends and scheduled holiday time. Just as sleep helps us recharge after a day of activity, time off of… read more
How to Save the World (Without Burning Out)
The Stress of Saving the World There’s a reason superheroes are so popular—deep down, we all want to save the world. Some of us want to make the planet a better place by advocating for endangered species, while others focus on voting reform or improving public schools. Yet no matter which worthy cause we support,… read more
3 Steps to Creating A Safe, Soothing Haven
It can be hard to find a balance in life. Our work, finances, relationships, and personal health can all change in an instant, jolting us into confusion even when we’re feeling our most grounded. On top of those major stressors, every day we’re forced to navigate dozens of smaller, unexpected roadblocks, like bad weather… read more
Is the Best Work Environment…Your Home?
As a member of the working world, you’ve undoubtedly grown familiar with the debate: which is better, going into the office or working from home? Those of us who enjoy wearing pajama pants all day have a clear preference for the latter, while those of us who value frequent socialization may choose the more communal… read more
