Stress can manifest from traumatic events, or from lower intensity but frequent daily hassles. Too much stress is a contributor to mental and physical health problems, even as far as to interfere with our immune system. An immediate solution to coping with stress is to seek social support—emotional resources provided by people who care about us, that genuinely have our best interests at…
Depressed again for no apparent reason? Do you or someone you know consistently feel depressed as we head into fall and winter? Seasonal Depression, also known as Seasonal Affective Disorder, is a type of depression that recurs for some individuals during the same time each year. SAD usually starts during adulthood and is rare for individuals under the age of twenty-one. The probability…
What is validation? It feels good to be seen and understood right? Validation is the method of learning about, understanding, and expressing acceptance of another person’s emotional experience unconditionally, without judgement. Why do we validate? Painful feelings that are expressed, acknowledged, and validated by a trusted listener will diminish. Painful feelings that are ignored will gain strength To properly validate someone’s feelings is…
Our breath is a something we always have with us (hopefully), and it can be accessed and utilized in diverse ways to achieve different mental and physiological states. There is a myriad of different breathing techniques available out there to try. Box-breathing, Alternate-Nostril breathing, Sama Vritti and even the “Tummo” method recently popularized by “The Iceman” Wim Hof to increase alertness by making…
An Attitude of Gratitude It is commonly integrated into therapeutic practices - the concept that employing and exercising routine gratitude can facilitate many benefits. Continually working with feelings of gratitude can alleviate feelings of depression and anxiety while simultaneously provide a sense of well-being. Showing gratitude and appreciation for one another is “pro-social” behaviour and an effective way to balance against avoidance…