I think it may be safe to say that this year is one in which more of us than usual are trying to determine how to stay healthy. I would wager that a lot of us are abiding by practices and routines that we haven’t before in an attempt to stay healthy and dodge COVID, … More Here’s how to stay healthy throughout the holiday season
When majority of us are asked by someone how we are doing, some common terms used to respond often include fine, good, or not bad. Unless someone is willing to be brutally honest and admit they’re not, in actuality, fine, most of us answer with optimistic words, and the person asking the question doesn’t think … More How are you really doing?
I’ve written a few different posts here on my blog discussing the long-term implications of eating disorders and the physical havoc they wreak on a body. The lasting effects of an eating disorder and undeniable for its victims, making it difficult to forget enduring such a debilitating condition. I would argue many of us are … More Finding hope in eating disorder recovery
The agricultural industry is a tough one. Farming consists of a significant amount of time, work and effort, and is unfortunately often times at the mercy of Mother Nature. This year has been exceptionally tough for members of the ag industry. Between COVID-19 and the setbacks and complications caused by it and a tremendously dry … More Have you thanked a farmer recently?
If you’re someone who deals with anxiety on a daily basis, at any level, you’re arguably aware of how frustrating, debilitating, and stressful its influence can be. It’s sort of like hearing a constant nagging voice in the back of your mind that causes you to feel doubt and insecurity about anything and everything, so … More The significance of challenging anxious thoughts
I firmly believe that, in a way, a lot of us are wired to be too hard on ourselves. I would say I think the tendency to be especially critical towards ourselves is innate, or even an element of human nature, but I won’t as not all of us fall into this categorization. I sure … More PSA: Stop being so hard on yourself
Calorie restriction is a pretty popular component of a lot of diet plans around today. In fact, calorie restriction has been associated with the concept of dieting for a loooong time; too long, in my opinion. For whatever reason, a lot of diet plans somewhat orientate themselves around the idea of not only cutting, but … More This is why counting calories is so toxic
The idea of reaching out to someone and asking for help in a mental health context isn’t an easy one. In fact, for many of us, it’s daunting, terrifying, and relatively undesirable, hence why so many of us choose to remain silent in our fight with mental health, I believe. For a very long time, … More This is why we need to normalize asking for help
In somewhat of a continuation of yesterday’s post and my discussion of the hellish temperatures we have been enduring in Ontario as of late, I thought it might be worthwhile to chat about recognizing our bodies’ needs. As I stated in my post yesterday, working outdoors in the extreme heat we have been experiencing has … More How well do you know your body?
I would argue that a majority of us underestimate ourselves. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as this mindset can often lead to moments in which we happily surprise and prove ourselves wrong, but it can be a hindering practice as it somewhat works against the concept of knowing our worth, which is of tremendous … More This is why it’s so important to know our worth
This year really has been one for the books. We’ve seen a pandemic, murder hornets, a massive civil rights movement and more, and it’s only June. We still have another six months before 2020 has concluded, and I think a lot of us are cautiously curious to see what else this year has in store. … More Making time for mindfulness
Relationships are something a majority of us are affiliated with. Because there are so many forms of relationships, for example, romantic, familial, and friendship (to name a few), we don’t always dedicate a tremendous level of consciousness to the fact that relationships, in all forms, are subjective and personal. Everyone experiences relationships differently, and ultimately, … More Why do we make other people’s relationships our business?
Perfectionism is a characteristic trait that influences a lot of us. I would argue that there are a lot of people who are completely unaware of their perfectionism, making it that much more difficult to recognize when it presents itself upon us. I’ve heard people say that perfectionism is a good thing. And, depending on … More Are you a perfectionist?
I’ve written a few different posts discussing anxiety and of the joys and wonders it entails, but I wanted to write another regarding how to go about your day with frequent anxiety since a lot of us are feeling more anxious than usual these days. If you’ve noticed your anxiety a little more as of … More Dealing with daily anxiety
I’ve been having a bit of a rough go as of late. In addition to grappling with the daily stress associated with the pandemic we’re facing, and also the variety of emotions that have presented themselves as a result of years of racially-fuelled police brutality, I’m also dealing with a bummed hand, a urinary tract … More Here’s how to calm yourself down when you’re feeling overwhelmed
Something that has come to my attention as of late in a rather pronounced manner is evidence supporting the idea that a lot of us are seriously struggling with social isolation. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been told to collectively abstain from participating in social gatherings and activities to an extent, … More Navigating through a lack of social interaction
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
Mental health is a topic that is associated with a lot of stigma. Tremendous advancements have been made in recent years regarding how we as a society perceive and discuss mental illness, which is fantastic, but based on my own observations, there is one area where mental health awareness could use some serious improvement. Mental … More Here’s how toxic masculinity worsens men’s mental health
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
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
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?
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
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
