Forcing yourself to be happy when you’re not can be a pretty challenging feat to overcome. Whether you’ve been in a slump for a week or a month, it’s difficult to plaster on a smile and go about your day as if everything is fine and dandy, especially if you haven’t been feeling like yourself … More What to do when you’re feeling down
For many of us, the concept of the unknown is positively terrifying. For others, the thought of not knowing what the future holds is simply fact and fails to be a bothersome source of stress and anxiety. Personally, I don’t fare well with the unknown. I wouldn’t say it’s something that causes me significant worry, … More Navigating the unknown
When I initially discovered that I would participating in group therapy for my anxiety, I wasn’t entirely sure what to think. I’ve undergone therapy in the past in several different manners. All of the therapy I’ve been subjected to up until group was one-on-one, and honestly, I figured this style was the only effective way … More Is group therapy for you?
Do you do one thing a day that scares you? Are you someone who likes to live life dangerously? Do you challenge yourself on a daily basis to try something new? If you answered no to any or all of the proposed questions above, don’t worry. I sure as shit don’t do all of those … More It’s time to step outside of your comfort zone
For those of us who deal with anxiety on a daily basis, it can be beneficial to designate a handful of coping mechanisms, or strategies, that help us work through our anxious thoughts and bodily sensations. While there are several different methods that can work to help to calm anxiety, one I would like to … More Have you tried guided imagery?
Allow me to put this simply: anxiety sucks. It sucks a lot, actually. And as much as it sucks, it’s equally debilitating, making it pretty challenging to deal with at times. I have Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and I’ve been dealing with anxiety since I was in high school. I’m certainly not an expert when it … More A guide to handling anxiety
Being someone who has Generalized Anxiety Disorder, people occasionally ask me what the difference is between anxiety itself and worrying. I’m not a doctor, nor am I a medical professional, so these sorts of inquiries make me a little uncomfortable. But, I do like to tell people, when they ask, that a major distinguishing factor … More Understanding the difference between anxiety and worrying
I’m a relatively open person, therefore I have no hesitancy to share my past experiences with an eating disorder with others. I think it’s important to discuss taboo and/or stigmatized topics in order to better understand them, and conversation can be one of the most effective ways to generate familiarity with things we may not … More Navigating eating disorder thoughts
I would argue that many of us believe we’re able to identify someone who struggles with anxiety based on the symptoms they may be demonstrating. Some of the most common symptoms of anxiety that are easily recognizable include worrying, self-doubt, insecurity, and panic attacks. What many of us are unaware of, though, are the more … More Here’s how to recognize anxiety
Feeling overwhelmed isn’t exactly a pleasant feeling. Depending on the context of what’s causing you to feel inundated with stress, sometimes it can feel like we’re drowning in our own thoughts, unable to designate clarity. Feeling overwhelmed isn’t a permanent state of mind, though. In fact, there’s several ways to go about ridding our minds … More Purging emotion through creativity
When it comes to mental illness, one of the most effective ways to understand it is through conversation. I often say that unless you’re chatting with someone who has dealt with mental illness themselves, it’s difficult to convey what exactly it entails. Talking to someone about a mental illness you’ve both experienced can be one … More Let’s talk about mental illness
Maintaining a healthy balance between work and our personal lives can be incredibly difficult at times. Depending on the circumstance, perhaps we find it almost impossible to establish a separation between the two, contributing to feelings of stress and frustration in the process. Depending on your line of work, and even your upbringing, you may … More Designating a work/life balance
When many of us contemplate the concept of cannabis use, health and wellness may not be the first thing that comes to mind. In fact, I would argue that many people associate cannabis with laziness and poor health, when in actuality, this simply is not the case. As stated in an article originally published at … More Can CBD contribute to a healthier lifestyle?
I have always held tremendous faith in the saying ‘trust your gut.’ I’m sure there are other variations of this particular saying, but the just of it remains the same. Growing up, my dad was one to always stress the importance of listening to my gut when facing a difficult decision. Hearing his faith in … More Here’s why trusting your gut is so important
I wrote a post about embracing anxiety relatively recently, and I wanted to continue the topic after giving it some more thought. In my previous post, I wrote “Part of the process of working to control anxiety is eliminating it as a whole. We are prescribed medications, given therapy techniques, and are encouraged to quash … More Embracing anxiety – part two
Some may say I’ve been on a bit of a mental health kick here on my blog as of late, but, quite honestly, that’s absolutely fine with me. Mental health is a topic that requires discussion and exploration, and what better way to spread awareness to reduce the stigma surrounding it than by making a … More Maintaining mental wellness
It’s probable that when you hear the term ‘anxiety,’ you automatically associate it with a negative connotation. Likely because we have been socially conditioned to acknowledge anxiety as a mental illness, a burden, and one that requires correction. As someone who deals with anxiety on a daily basis, I can understand why the condition is … More Embracing Anxiety
As I mentioned on here a while ago, I have started seeing a therapist in hopes of getting a handle on my anxiety and minor depression. My anxiety is moderate to severe, whereas my depression is mild, only flaring up from time to time. I saw my therapist last week, and I found it to … More Embracing discomfort
A recent Phys.org article will have dog lovers rejoicing. A University of Alberta study has cultivated results that suggest sleeping with a dog could benefit chronic pain sufferers. The findings contradict other medical advice that recommends sleeping without a dog for people who experience long-term pain. “A small study published earlier this year of people … More It’s healthy to sleep with your pup
Oct. 10, yesterday, was 2018’s #WorldMentalHealthDay. The following information is from an Ontario government release that was issued on #WorldMentalHealthDay: “Up to 30 per cent of Ontarians aged 15 and up experience a mental health or addictions issue. About one in five children and youth in Ontario have a mental health challenge. It’s estimated that … More #WorldMentalHealthDay
A Eurekalert release titled “Acne stigma linked to lower overall quality of life, Irish study finds” reports that women and young girls who experience acne are more likely to face a lower quality of life than males with acne. A study from the University of Limerick, Ireland, has revealed that people who suffer from acne are … More Acne can contribute to a lower quality of life
An article from the Medical Press reports that quitting junk food can result in similar withdrawal symptoms that occur when one quits an addiction, specifically in the first week of quitting. The University of Michigan recently did a study that is likely the first to examine withdrawal symptoms of people when they refrain from consuming … More Research shows quitting junk food is as hard as quitting an addiction
“There are some things in life you simply cannot change.” This phrase, and affiliated variations, is something I remind myself of when I am feeling particularly stressed or my anxiety is getting the best of me. I am the type of person who prefers control over spontaneity. Do I perceive this trait as negative? Not … More Stubborn Acceptance
I’ve addressed anxiety and the many struggles that accompany it before, but recent events have led me to re-visit the topic. Anxiety is hands down one of the most burdening things to deal with on a daily basis. Your own thoughts turn against you, and at times, it feels as though you’re swallowing yourself whole. … More Is your anxiety a burden for others?
A couple of months ago, weighted blankets started popping up throughout my social media feeds, specifically as advertisements on Instagram. They’re exactly what like they sound like; a blanket, weighted usually with sand, to help people to sleep better. My sister saw somewhere that the blankets were half price, so she looked into it and … More Weighted blankets: are they worth the price?
Before I get into my own account of what anxiety consists of for me, personally, I want to state that anxiety and all types of mental illness impact people differently. It is impossible to categorize symptoms of mental illness that apply to each and every person who struggles with them to an entirely accurate degree, … More Here’s What Having Anxiety Is Really Like
Chances are if you’re between the ages of 12 and 70, you likely have at least one account with a social media platform, if not more. For most of us, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram are the three major social media platforms we check in with daily, but there are many others that people frequently make … More Is Social Media Making You Depressed?
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve likely noticed that lavender seems to be the latest craze. It seems to be just about everywhere, and because of its popularity, I wanted to provide some information about this herby powerhouse to pay homage to just how great it really is. An herb native to Northen … More A Love for Lavender
Being nervous is a crappy experience. You try your best to ignore the gnawing sensation in your stomach, but often times it seems as though no matter what you do, the feelings of unease fail to cease. I experience feelings of nervousness quite often. I think this is a result of my anxiety, and it … More How to Cope With Nerves
Anxiety is something I struggle with daily. I try my best to manage it and keep it under control, however, it can be overwhelming at times. Something to keep in mind when suffering from anxiety is designating effective coping mechanisms. Everyone who experiences anxiety does so differently, and as a result, all persons cope with anxiety … More How I Cope With Anxiety
