It’s spring! The outdoors is a kaleidoscope of colors, as we witness transitions from dormant stages to vitality. Yet often we want to skip over or dismiss the process it took to get to this point. It was dedicated and difficult work to be “planted.” Much like the seeds and bulbs around us, we may be “in process.” We may have changes on the horizon – both chosen and unwelcome. Change and growth can be unnerving and exhausting. It can also be incredibly rewarding and life-changing.
Self-compassion is the practice of relating towards yourself with curiosity rather than criticism. It helps us adapt to life changes and challenges as well as strengthens resilience, emotional wellbeing, and psychological healing. Learn more about the transformative power of self-compassion as well as simple ways to put it into practice.
If you’re like most people, you might have rung in the new year with a list of resolutions. Whether that is through addressing eating habits, increasing physical activity, learning a new language, or decluttering your home office, resolutions are made to help us live our best lives. In all of these instances – and so much more – therapy can help. Mental health counseling can help you stick to your new year’s resolutions, explore hidden desires, build greater self-awareness, and even boost physical health.
It’s natural this time of year to reflect on the past calendar year, take inventory of what we would like to change, and make bold declarations of what to improve upon. It can be an inspiring time to re-imagine, re-focus, and start fresh for some, but for others, it’s overwhelming and discouraging to examine so much change at once. If you’re not sure where to start in 2023, this New Year Planning Tool from YearCompass can be a helpful resource to reflect and focus. It provides prompts and space to examine your past accomplishments and successes, and to explore what’s possible.
As we gather with friends and family for the holiday season, current events will likely be a topic of conversation with differing opinions involved. Now more than ever it’s critical that we possess the tools to have difficult but healthy conversations with people in our lives. Learn how you can manage your responses to stressful situations, including setting healthy boundaries, in order to respond to potentially conflictual conversations with intention and respect for both yourself and others.
The holiday season ushers in a time of gratitude and giving. We reflect on what we’re thankful for, what the year has held, and what’s coming in the near and distant future. This practice of gratitude is timely and seasonal – but it doesn’t have to be. Here are a few reasons why we should consider extending this season of gratefulness year-round, and three ways you can start today.
While screen time can be enjoyable, studies have suggested that it can take a toll on our emotions. Social media in particular, can wreak havoc with our mental health. However, it is possible to use your digital devices without your mental health suffering. Like many things in life, it’s about setting boundaries, working toward balance, and practicing moderation. Here are a few ideas to consider.
In our busy lives, we all have moments where we feel like our mental health might be suffering. Especially given the ongoing experience with pandemic living, many people are realizing that stress, isolation, and uncertainty have taken a toll on their well-being. In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we wish to remind you of 5 manageable ways to boost your mental health.
While taking a sick day is common when you are feeling physically unwell, what’s not as common – but should be – is taking a mental health day when you are feeling mentally and emotionally unwell. The truth is, taking a mental health day from work or school can be extremely important for your overall well-being. It can help to improve your mood, avoid burnout, get some much-needed rest, and rejuvenate yourself so you can tackle “real life” once again.
Taking a break from screens is vital for your mental health. Research connects too much screen time with increased depression, disrupted sleep, increased stress, difficulty focusing, and increased aggression. For children and adolescents, the effects are even more profound, with further impacts on cognitive development. Here are 101 screen-free activities from screenfree.org. Make a personal goal to check off a few of these activities this (and every!) week.
Parents have unquestionably been hit hard by the pandemic. Between school closures and virtual learning, many parents have assumed the role of teacher on top of their usual household obligations and adjusting to working from home. And on top of that, parents are helping their children navigate their fear, anxiety, and depression around COVID and tumultuous societal events.
Mindfulness is an ancient practice that encourages us to be engaged with ourselves and the world around us without judgement. Many of us are stuck thinking about the past or worrying about the future that we don’t spend much time in the present moment at all. Getting started with a mindfulness practice doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are four brief exercises you can try at any time, in any place.
