Be Kind, Don’t Rewind, and Practice Mental Hygiene:
Kindness is a virtuous characteristic and a learned behavior that is often instilled by our caregivers at childhood. It is an interpersonal skill that often requires courage, strength, and occasional sacrifice.From a young age we are taught to be considerate, compassionate, and thoughtful towards others, either through direct interaction or by observation. Our heroes, whether fictional or real, often exhibit …
Read More
Empowering Kids In An Anxious World
Rates of anxiety and depression among teens in the U.S. have been rising for years. In the latest results from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Behavior Survey, 32 percent of teens reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness. Two new books offer advice to parents and caregivers. Read more here.
Read More
Foods that Increase Anxiety
Most people can identify stressors in their lives that increase anxiety: paying bills, looking for a new job, ending a relationship, for example. However, some people might be surprised to learn that food can significantly impact our mood and increase anxiety. Eating foods rich in protein, antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids are known to fight depression and other mood disorders. …
Read More
One of the most troubling aspects of high functioning depression is it is not easy to spot; yet it is equally serious. Learn more about what signs to look out for, and what you can do by reading here.
Read More
The Summer Blues
While most people relate seasonal affective disorder with the dark days of winter, summer time can also trigger this disorder. In fact, for many people, the summer months are the most difficult: 10 percent of those diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder suffer symptoms at the brightest time of the year. The summer’s brutal heat,bright light, and long days can contribute …
Read More
Finding the Good When Things Seem Bad
Most of us, it is safe to assume, have felt an some level of impact from the current political and social climate. The seemingly endless news cycles, radio reports, newspaper headlines, social media campaigns, and regular day-to-day interactions with colleagues, friends, and family bring about daily reminders that are hard to avoid. Whether we like it or not, this cycle …
Read More
Am I Enough?
Among my clients, I find this to be a relatively frequent theme. And it is not surprising: in our society of super-achievers who are expected to multi-task 24/7, we are always on, always wondering what we forgot to do, or should be doing, always questioning and doubting ourselves, hence only strengthening the self-doubt: Am I Enough? Am I enough of …
Read More
Are You Codependent?
Do you find you accept responsibility for a loved one’s emotions or actions? Are you constantly trying to please others? Do you neglect your own needs and have difficulty setting realistic personal boundaries? Do you often feel resentful, yet have difficulty stepping away from a dysfunctional relationship? These are some of the signs of being codependent with others. Codependent people …
Read More
Are You Feeling Sad or SAD?
I sat down to write this post on a particularly cold and rainy day. I tried to remember the last day I saw a blue sky, felt the warmth of the sun, or enjoyed taking a walk outside. Spring suddenly felt so far away. With this realization, my mood dipped and I noticed a quick succession of sadness, defeat, and …
Read More
5 Tips for Keeping Social Anxiety at Bay
The holiday season is upon us, which for many, can mean an uptick in social engagements – the company holiday party, the neighbor’s grab-bag gift exchange, the New Year’s Eve gatherings, and so on. For those suffering from social anxiety – an excessive fear of being judged negatively – it can be a particularly unnerving time of year. People with …
Read More