It is disheartening to acknowledge that, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, mental health and wellness, for many of us, has taken a beating. Perhaps you have been struggling with a condition that has been intensified as of late; maybe you’re experiencing the onset of a type of mental illness because of the pandemic … More The importance of mental health check-ins
The idea of a challenge is a concept that appears to everyone differently. Some of us, when we encounter a challenge, immediately experience distress and unease as a result of the appearance of something new and foreign, while others welcome challenge, seeing it as an opportunity to conquer a new feat. Personally, I’d say I’m … More Seeing challenges differently
I’m willing to bet that at some point in our lives, we have experienced insecurity or self-doubt. It’s arguably an inevitable occurrence for all of us from time to time, and when it does happen, it’s pretty shitty. For those of us who tend to run into self-doubt more frequently than not, it becomes apparent … More Dealing with self-doubt
I’m willing to bet that a lot of us are seeing or hearing about Adele’s weight loss as of late. After posting an image to her Instagram account to celebrate her 30th birthday, there was a social media frenzy regarding the singers appearance in the photo. Her photo prompted an outpouring of comments, posts and … More Stop making someone else’s weight your business
If you’re finding yourself to be a little stressed these days, try not to overthink it too much. Most of us are feeling a wee bit overwhelmed as of late thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. But, there is something we can try if we’re getting frustrated with our feelings of stress. According to an article … More Feeling stressed? Play Tetris
The situation many of us are finding ourselves in right now isn’t exactly pleasant. With many businesses and services closed, social interactions being prohibited unless social distancing is being practiced, and an inability to visit with our friends and loved ones, it is easy to understand how and why some of us may be struggling … More It’s okay if your mental health isn’t at its best right now
If you’re someone who experiences anxiety, you’re more than likely familiar with just how frustrating and further debilitating it can be. I can’t speak on behalf of everyone who has this type of mental illness, but personally, I find some days to be worse than others, and the same goes for triggering situations – some … More Does anxiety ever go away?
Depending on the severity of it, anxiety can be an incredibly debilitating condition to live with. It has the ability to interfere with everyday life, decisions, responsibilities and relationships, and over time, it can feel rather consuming. Because the influence of anxiety can be so overwhelming, it’s discouraging to contemplate the fact that very little … More Anxiety recovery is in reach
Mental illness is something I’m quite passionate about. Not only because I deal with it myself, but also because of the devastating impact it can have on the people we know and love, which I’ve also been exposed to. I had anorexia and bulimia in the past, and from that I developed depression and anxiety, … More The dangers of self-diagnosing mental illness
The concept of assertiveness is something I believe a lot of us struggle with. Many of us associate assertiveness with bossiness, or a need to be controlling, and this association has unfortunately given assertiveness a bad reputation over time. A quick Google search of the term defines it as exhibiting a confident and/or forceful personality. … More No, assertiveness is not a bad thing
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
