Menopause and Mental Health
For many women menopause marks a time of increased stress and discomfort that can also signal significant changes in mood and mental health. It can be frustrating for many to have these challenges met with the “it’s normal” response when it’s used to dismiss instead of validate their experiences. So instead lets talk about what’s actually normal and what’s specifically happening in our BRAIN during menopause that impacts our mental health and our sense of self. Understanding the why’s can help us navigate the what to do’s.
Feeling Anxious? Call It Out!
Feeling anxious at times is a normal part of modern life, but that does not mean that you don’t have control over it. How long we feel anxious can be affected by how we react (or don’t react) to our anxious thoughts and feelings. Learn strategies to actively address your anxiety and call it out!
Society’s Dwindling Mind-Body Connection- Why It Matters & What You Can Do
Do you often feel that you’re less motivated, more disconnected, burned out, easily irritable, or numb? We live in a society now that is heavily regulated through our interactions with devices that can cause a sense of disconnection between our brain and our body, even though they are intricately connected. This lack of bodily awareness can have long term consequences, but thankfully, awareness of it and some simple solutions can have equally long-term positive impacts. This blog on Movement and Body Awareness will talk about some of those simple strategies.
CBT Spotlight: Teaching Kids How Emotions Impact Our Choices
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on the interactions between our emotions, our thoughts, and our behaviors. These can seem like complex concepts when working with children and teens, but this strategy that I’ll be describing can help even those young minds begin to build their awareness of what is happening inside their brain and how they can help regulate it.
Let’s Talk About Shame- Yes, You Really Should!
Shame is something that can be deeply woven into our everyday interactions, thoughts, and feelings, yet it is rarely a topic among friends, family, or loved ones. We often struggle in shame alone, believing the negative constructs that we don’t allow anyone else to shatter for us. So lets talk about it- how does shame build, how does it latch on, and how can it finally be unwritten.
Why Humor Impacts Your Mental Health
Learn how HUMOR impacts your brain and mental health, as well as easy ways to “fake it til ya make it” to get all the benefits of it.
Teaching Kids What Emotional Regulation Is- Dr. Siegel’s Hand-Brain Model & Upstairs/Downstairs Model
Dr. Daniel Siegel, a renowned neuroscientist, developed two models to help explain how our brain engages with our emotions and our Fight-or-Flight Stress Response and how we can engage in regulation strategies to help regain control over our brain’s response. These models not only make it easier for us as adults to understand, but also provide a great way to explain these natural responsesin our brains and bodies to kids.
When Rewards Don’t Cut It- The Value of Intrinsic Motivation
In a time of instant gratification and access to rewards, we can find ourselves struggling with patience and tolerance of our boredom- not just emotionally, but also in the ways our brain develops. When we struggle to regulate our responses to these feelings, we may find ourselves anxious, overwhelmed, or unmotivated. This blog will look at understanding how to use the tools of intrinsic motivation to help regulate how our brains and bodies respond to tasks that don’t immediately reward or interest us.
The Boundaries We Don’t Often Talk About- The One’s With Ourselves
We hear the phrase “boundaries” everywhere at times and there is ample access to great information out there on what boundaries are and how to help yourself set them, but one aspect that often gets passed over is the idea of setting boundaries with ourselves. It’s something we actually do constantly, but perhaps unconsciously.
Depression 101
This blog will be looking at the basics of depressive disorders to help build general understanding and awareness of the different forms of depression. Depression affects over 21 million adults in the US and 17% of adolescents ages 12-17.
Dealing With Dopamine Dysregulation
Dopamine is a current buzz word for a very good reason- it’s greatly impacted by modern technology. This blog focuses on some of those impacts and what you can do to alleviate them for yourself and everyone in your family.
Mastering Those Rainy Day Blues
It can sometimes feel like rainy days illicit two types of reactions in people- a sense of frustration or a sense of relaxation. For many, rainy days can feel less motivating, more frustrating, and even sad and depressing. Today’s blog will focus on strategies to help counteract any negative feelings that rainy days may be trigger for you.
You Know Body Positivity, Let’s Talk Body Neutrality
We’ve all heard about body positivity, loving and appreciating the skin we’re in. Too often though, we’re always presented with an end goal and not the steps to realistically get us there. It can leave us feeling frustrated and overwhelmed. This blog is about a precursor to body positivity called Body Neutrality.
The Smaller, The Better
When you look at the things you cherish in your life, they often come from humbler beginnings. Learn how focusing on your smaller, daily interactions can impact your larger life goals.
Trauma Bonding- It Might Not Be What You Think It Is
In our current culture, trauma bonding is often misrepresented as a shared experience between two individuals who both have histories of trauma and feel a sense of connection or understanding of each other from those experiences. Clinically, though, trauma bonding is quite the opposite of understanding or a mutual connection. Clinically, trauma bonding is abusive. This is why the misrepresentation is so important to address. Learn what trauma bonding is, how it occurs, and how to help break free from it.
How Trauma Changes You From The Inside Out
In the United States, 70% of adults have experienced a traumatic event in their life. Trauma can physiologically and structurally create changes in our body and brains. The earlier and longer we experience trauma, the more significant those changes may be. Addressing them, though, can lead to impactful change and relief.
The Growing Imprint of Childhood Trauma
In the US, it is estimated that 1 in 4 children will witness violence at home. Trauma is not a standalone event- meaning the impacts of it often ripple from those traumatized to those they interact with each day. Addressing trauma is a community need. This blog will address those individual and community impacts.
Trauma and Rage
Does the world seem angrier? Learn about the relationship between those bursts of rage you may experience or see in others around you and a history of trauma.
The Unseen Weight Of Your Mental Load
Do you ever feel physically exhausted at the end of the day, even if your daily tasks are not really physically demanding? Many people don’t realized that the cognitive demands of their day produces physical effects on their body. Yes, you can get physically tired, have physical symptoms, and develop physical ailments from an overly-stressed mental load. Learn what to do about it here.
The Teenage Brain- Parenting Strategies
Discover parenting strategies to help you meet your teen where they are developmentally. Address typical teenage angst as well as larger concerns for their mental health.