Unlocking the Power of Gratitude
In a world filled with distractions, stress, and daily challenges, it's easy to overlook the simple yet powerful practice of gratitude. Gratitude is the art of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, no matter how big or small they may be. The practice of gratitude has been shown to have numerous physical and psychological benefits, including reduced stress, improved mental well-being, and even enhanced relationships. As we approach Thanksgiving, let’s explore the art of practicing gratitude and offer practical tips to help you incorporate it into your daily life.
Back-To-School Preparation
Does it feel like summer is going by too quickly? As we turn the calendar into August, the carefree days filled with vacations, outdoor fun, and less restricted routines begin to turn into more rigid schedules. So, how do we prepare ourselves for this inevitable change? Well, it may not be that difficult for adults to adjust to. But, how about our kids?
The Summer Blues: The Other Side of Seasonal Affective Disorder
Ah, at last, the summer has finally arrived! For many people, this time of year brings a sense of joy, lightheartedness, and fun. Afterall, what’s not to like about sunshine, beach outings, vacations, and longer days? It would seem like a simple equation for happiness and uplifted moods- right? However, a small percentage of people experience summer much differently than the majority. You have probably heard of seasonal affective disorder, or SAD, which is typically associated with the winter months. This is when a person experiences symptoms of depression due to less sunlight and colder temperatures. However, for a smaller subset of people, summer has the opposite effect and triggers an increase in anxiety and depression symptoms. Experts believe it may be attributed to higher humidity levels, social pressures, body image issues, or longer days. So, what can we do to help ease summer depression symptoms? Here are a few tips to help cope with SAD in the summer.
Mental Health Awareness for Teens
Let’s take note of a particular population that has been facing a unique set of challenges over the past few years- our teens. The recent COVID-19 pandemic has brought about a loss of socialization skills, an increase in stress, and a disruption in the routines and norms of our teens’ lives. In fact, there is no better time to raise awareness of the importance of addressing the mental health needs of teenagers as the ramifications of their challenges are now being seen more readily both at school and at home.
What to Expect in Therapy
In honor of Counseling Awareness Month, let’s talk about the therapy process! Have you ever considered going to therapy, but wondered how that would appear in the eyes of others? If so, then you are certainly not alone. In fact, many people shy away from the idea of seeking therapy, out of the fear of being evaluated or being labeled as “crazy.” It is not uncommon for us to wonder about what this process looks like in real-time. After all, many people have only been exposed to therapy by viewing how the media wants to portray the process. Picture the typical movie version of an overwhelmed person lying on a couch, while a serious clinician takes notes and asks invasive questions. Yet, this is an over-exaggerated depiction of what therapy actually looks like. In fact, therapy is quite different than this overused stereotype.