3 Breathing Exercises to Help Reduce Stress and Anxiety

The body is our vessel of life, our tool for engaging with the world around us, and our protector. For many of us, anxiety takes us out of our bodies and locks us in our thoughts about the past or the future. Thankfully, when we are jolted into an anxious state, simple breathing exercises can help turn on the rest response in the body through activation of the parasympathetic nervous system and stimulation of the vagus nerve. Here are three simple breathing exercises that help reduce stress and anxiety.

Juneteenth: A Time for Reflection and Healing

Juneteenth marks a historical moment – one of celebration for the ending of a horrific practice – and is also a time for reflection. The lingering intergenerational trauma wrought by slavery is still felt today, and our country’s systems and institutions remain intricately linked with racist beliefs and policies that marginalize and oppress Black and African American individuals. This Juneteenth, we want to shine a light on the mental health of this community, and highlight how we can all help dismantle barriers to achieving mental well-being.

Men, It’s Okay to Ask for Help (With Your Mental Health)

At Sunstone, we have multiple male counselors who understand what it’s like to feel less than capable, and feel the pressure from internal and external voices telling us that, as men, we must do it ourselves. We can help you unclog the “drains” of life, whether it’s figuring out how to manage stress and anxiety/depression, have more successful relationships, make career changes, or anything else that is getting in the way of living the healthy and fulfilled life you deserve. 

5 Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

woman getting fresh air, meditating, outdoors

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.

Why Take a Mental Health Day?

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.

The Power of Vulnerability

By its very definition, vulnerability is uncertainty, risk, and emotional exposure. Even when we try to control every aspect of our every day, we will be met with unexpected situations that require us to respond – with no script and no guarantee of perfection. We can try to avoid being vulnerable, or we can choose to face the uncertainties of life head-on, knowing that vulnerability often leads to greater intimacy, self-worth, and compassion for ourselves and others.

101 Screen-free Activities to Boost Your Mental Health

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.

Infertility’s Impact on Women’s Mental Health

woman worried about pregnancy test - perinatal mental health

For many women, the conception and birth of a child is a momentous, long-awaited, and life changing event. Even the emotional rollercoaster that comes with sleepless nights and rapidly changing hormones is mitigated by the excitement of, and love for, a new baby. But for the millions of women grappling with the challenge of infertility, the mere topic of babies and motherhood can be heartbreaking.

Recognizing Alcohol Awareness Month

In recognition of April as Alcohol Awareness Month – which seeks to raise public awareness and educate people about the treatment and prevention of alcoholism – here are just a few of the ways alcohol can affect your physical and mental health, and how you can seek out help for you or a loved one. 

5 Ways to Support Sexual Assault Survivors

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and there is no better time to address the silence that is fueled by sexual assault. Sexual assault thrives on silence; the louder we can show our support for survivors, the more we shed light on an epidemic. Here are 5 ways that you can help.

Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month Shines a Light on Mental Health

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. One way we can mark the occasion this year is to educate ourselves on the mental and emotional impact of living with a disability. Adults with disabilities report experiencing depression and mental distress almost five times more often than adults without disabilities. Frequent mental stress is often linked with poor health habits that can lead to chronic disease and other poor health outcomes.

Holi Reflections: Mental Health Challenges in the South Asian Community

South Asian women celebrating Holi

Mental health challenges have a long history of stigma and shame in South Asian culture which often means that many individuals do not seek out professional support. Influences such as community and family expectations, along with cultural traditions can make it difficult to talk about mental health, let alone seek out help.