Words have power, and the way we talk to and about ourselves can have a significant impact on our thoughts and behaviors. That’s where affirmations come in—repeating certain phrases to yourself can boost your self-esteem, reduce your stress, create a more positive mindset, motivate you to take certain actions, and improve your overall well-being.So, how can you start taking advantage...[ read more ]

You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a recent trend that involves devoting one day a week to nourishing your mind and body. Whether you want to start practicing self-care on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or every day—good for you! Depending on the practices you adopt, self-care can boost your mental and emotional health, enhance your physical health, strengthen your relationships, and improve...[ read more ]

Dissociation is a mental process that involves disconnecting from your own thoughts, feelings, memories, or personal identity, often in response to a traumatic event. It can cause you to:Believe that the world around you is distorted or unrealExperience sudden mood swingsHave trouble concentrating, remembering things, or handling intense emotionsExperience anxiety or depressionBehave much differently than you normally would, possibly doing...[ read more ]

You may have heard about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but what about post-traumatic embitterment disorder (PTED)? PTED is a condition that produces chronic feelings of bitterness and resentment after someone experiences a negative life event (for example, being bullied, assaulted, or fired from a job).PTED may be more likely to occur if the person worked hard to achieve their goals...[ read more ]

If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels? Exercise can:Increase endorphin production – Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce endorphins, hormones that can help reduce your stress, relieve...[ read more ]

If a friend or family member has obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), you probably want to do whatever you can to help them. But if you’ve never dealt with this disorder yourself, you might have a hard time figuring out what to say. Your goal should be to empathize with them and offer support, so with that in mind, you’ll want to...[ read more ]

You’ve probably heard of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), a condition that causes someone to have recurring, unwanted thoughts and urges (obsessions) and/or repetitively perform certain actions (compulsions). But did you know that certain things can cause OCD symptoms to worsen? Here are four potential causes of OCD flare-ups:Stress and anxiety – When someone with OCD is feeling more stressed or anxious...[ read more ]

So, you’ve decided that it’s time to set some boundaries in your life. Good for you! Boundaries are essential to maintaining relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers, as they can help build trust and respect. Once you’ve decided what your boundaries are, the next step will be communicating them to those around you. Here are some tips for how...[ read more ]

You’ve likely heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause someone to experience anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms after living through a traumatic event. But did you know that the mental health community commonly divides PTSD into five stages? They are:Impact – This stage occurs immediately after someone experiences a traumatic event. The person...[ read more ]

Psychotherapy can be a powerful vehicle for personal transformation. By speaking with a trained therapist in a safe and confidential environment, a person has the opportunity to explore their inner world and gain an understanding of their behaviors.Research has now shown that individual psychotherapy can be highly effective at improving the symptoms of a wide range of mental health issues...[ read more ]