Do you find yourself stressed out, anxious or depressed during the holidays? Well, you’re not alone! For many, the “joyful holidays” lack much joy altogether. It’s easy to be swept up in the stresses of dealing with the in-laws, holiday traveling, or spending way too much on gifts. Unfortunately, that’s just the tip of the iceberg of possible stressors that many will face during this time of hustle and bustle....
When couples present to therapy with a challenge they are working through, one question I often ask is “what have you already tried to work on this?” Often, they list the tools and strategies they’ve tried that have been unsuccessful. Their ideas and attempts are good and are many of the same interventions I would have explored with them. Despite good tools and a desire for change, the growth is...
Love isn’t in the air? When a relationship isn’t working as expected thinking about breaking up or deciding to stay is pretty common. According to research, breaking up is considered a major stressor. Ending a relationship is usually painful at least for one of the parties involved and the fear of making the wrong decision can be very confusing. People change and evolve as do relationships. Sometimes people in a...
Why is it that we have to deal with emotions? When someone reacts angrily or shows any negative emotion it seems to be uncomfortable for those around. Then, avoiding emotions may be a way to escape from being criticized or not accepted. However, according to a research article about dealing with feelings, personal suppression can have a negative impact on your social life and well being. The more a person...
Coping with life’s daily stresses can be hard. Sometimes it can feel like once you get through one storm, the next one is right there waiting for you. One of the most frequent recommendations I give to clients who are struggling with anxiety, depression, or feeling overwhelmed, is journaling. There is a wide range of benefits to journaling and it can be very effective. It isn’t just writing in a...
At some point everyone has experienced a dip in productivity, concentration and focus during the afternoon. This can cause a negative emotional reaction for some, feeling like you are failing or not performing at your best potential. In an article by Readers Digest there are thirteen practical tips to beating that afternoon slump. However, it seems that the afternoon slump could be avoided if you would only take a break. ...
We all have stress and different ways of managing it. Some people handle stress in a healthy way – exercising, talking, reading. Other times we may not handle stress so well. We revert to unhealthy habits instead. Stress eating is one behavior people engage in that can be a harmful attempt to cope with stress. Consuming food may cause a temporary relief from distress, but doing this in excess can...
We’ve all seen the headlines announcing diet fads, telling us which chemicals to avoid, and foods presenting with a new health-stamp of approval on the daily. It can be difficult to keep up with the latest in health and diet, making trips to the grocery store a stressful event. It’s no secret that feeding the body means fueling the brain, and what we eat affects not just physical, but mental...
Many mothers around the world suffer from depression during or after pregnancy. You have probably heard the phrase “Postpartum Depression”. Some people call it “baby blues” and may state that this is something normal. However, there are some types of depression during and after pregnancy that has severe ramification to the mother carrying the child. What are the symptoms? Some of the symptoms that may manifest are crying spells, lost...
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