Often times, when we think about what could harm our mental health, our minds go to major life events—the loss of a job, the end of a relationship, or the death of a loved one. But small habits that often go unnoticed can also play a major role. Below are three common habits that could be negatively affecting your mental...[ read more ]
Rumination involves obsessively thinking about negative experiences and feelings. Some people replay events that occurred in the past, while others worry about situations that could potentially occur in the future.Rumination tends to have a snowball effect—certain mental health conditions (including generalized anxiety disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder) can cause someone to ruminate, and rumination can in turn worsen the symptoms of...[ read more ]
If you’ve been researching self-care practices, you may have come across something known as journaling. But what is journaling, exactly, and what can it do to improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health?Journaling, at its core, is the regular practice of writing down experiences, thoughts, and feelings. However, it can be adapted to whatever your specific needs or goals...[ read more ]
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 meditation, a practice that focuses on clearing your mind to improve your overall well-being. But how familiar are you with it? Here are three things you never knew about meditation.1. Meditation Has Been Around for Thousands of YearsWhile meditation has grown increasingly popular in the United States over the past few decades, it has a much...[ read more ]
You might have heard that happiness is a choice and wondered if that’s actually true. Unfortunately, for some individuals, mental health conditions like depression and bipolar disorder make it difficult for them to feel happy. There can also be several factors outside someone’s control—such as their age, physical health, or geographic location—that could make it harder for them to achieve...[ 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 ]
Many people are familiar with depression, but only some are aware that there are actually numerous different forms of it. Below, we explore four of the most common types of depression.1. Major Depressive DisorderFor someone to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder, they must have experienced at least five symptoms of depression for at least two consecutive weeks, with at...[ 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 ]
Stress is a reaction that occurs when someone feels pressured or threatened, and while some amount of stress can energize you and motivate you to complete tasks, too much of it can negatively your mental and physical health. Even if you regularly experience stress, you may be unaware of the numerous ways in which it can manifest itself. Here are...[ read more ]
