Holding onto that resentment over a long period of time can be toxic and destructive in not just our mental, but physical and spiritual health too.

Resentment and Mental Health

/0 Comments/in , /by

Resentment is often described as anger stemming from something “unfair”. With resentment often come other emotions such as annoyance or shame. Holding onto that resentment and pushing it down over a long period of time is what some mental health professionals refer to as bitterness. And they believe it to be one of the most toxic and destructive of human emotions. Holding onto feelings of prolonged hostility is bad for not just our mental but also physical and spiritual health. Friedrich Nietzsche once noted, “nothing consumes a man more quickly than the emotion of resentment.” So, it should be no surprise that a number of mental disorders stem from these emotions of anger, resentment, hostility, and bitterness.

Read more

Research shows parents can feel pride in their children’s achievements, but living vicariously through a child can damage both child and parent.

Your Dreams on Hold: Are You Living Vicariously Through Your Child?

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Let’s be honest. Life can be disappointing. And for some people, that disappointment or frustration can push a person to try harder to achieve their dreams. But for some parents, they deal with those life disappointments by living vicariously through their children. We’re sure you’ve seen it; overbearing “wanna-be coach” dads and overdramatic stage moms. In 2013, a study was done to provide evidence that vicarious living both exists and has effects. Researchers found that parents can feel pride in their children’s achievements and even heal old wounds. When taken to extremes, however, living vicariously through a child can damage both the child and the parent.

Read more

If you're a new mom, how can you take care of both yourself and your child, while tackling all the other responsibilities of your life?

Self-Care Checklist for New Moms

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

There are a lot of nerves that can build when you are about to or have recently become a new mother. The postpartum phase is not the same for all moms. But most of the time, intense feelings of love can drive a new mom into her new role without much thought or effort. That is, until the exhaustion hits. Between lack of sleep and residual pain to new responsibilities and feeling overwhelmed, it’s hard to find time for yourself once baby arrives. How can you take care of both yourself and your child, while tackling all the other responsibilities of your life?

Read more

It’s common to hear about parental self-care in regard to new parents. But teen parents also need to practice parental self-care.

Parental Self-Care: Teens

/0 Comments/in , , /by

A few weeks ago, we published a blog about the stress levels of teens. And while teens today are seriously stressed, many seem to forget that their parents are just as stressed. In 2014, the American Psychological Association ran a survey entitled Stress in America. This study found that parents who have a child under 18 at home reported higher stress levels than other adults, and they report doing less to manage their stress. Many parents are laser-focused on helping their kids create the best path they can in order to succeed in the future. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Not to mention easy to lose sight of who you are as an independent adult. It’s common to hear about parental self-care in regard to new parents. But teen parents also need to practice parental self-care.

Read more

Anxiety Help: There are some great anxiety products on the market, but we believe nothing can replace positive coping mechanisms and lifestyle choices!

Anxiety Help: Products Vs. Lifestyle

/0 Comments/in , , /by

If you type “anxiety” into the Amazon search bar, you are met with seven pages of search results. From stress balls, aromatherapy mists, and gummy “calm” vitamins to audio books, teas, and weighted blankets, there are no shortages of possible anxiety relief solutions. In a culture where therapy is still stigmatized and access to healthcare isn’t easy, we are choosing to buy our way out with products rather than sit down and truly reflect. While we believe there are some great anxiety products on the market, nothing can replace positive coping mechanisms and lifestyle choices. Let’s dive into a few of the most popular results, and also discuss how pairing those products with lifestyle choices can truly help you cope with anxiety.

Read more

The Gottman Method is a treatment that includes an assessment of the couple’s relationship and moves through a framework to strengthen the relationship.

Treatment 101: The Gottman Method

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Gottman Method. Relationships are difficult. We all have our own experiences in life that have shaped us into who we are. We have our own opinions and worldviews. And they don’t always coincide with the way others feel. And that is especially true with romantic partners. Just because you love someone doesn’t mean the relationship is safe and good to go. The greatest relationships have been through struggle. The members of those relationships continue to choose to fight for those relationships every single day. These relationships take a lot of effort, time, communication, and compromise. And we have to remember that a relationship isn’t failing because two people are having a hard time connecting. It just means two humans are having difficulty understanding one another – which is a totally normal thing!

Read more

“Am I Stressed Out?” 

/1 Comment/in , , /by

Stress has always been a part of the human experience. Our ancestors stressed about hunting and gathering enough food. They stressed about weather phenomena, empires collapsing, and wars. Today, we are faced with stress in almost every part of our physical and now, digital, lives. We are actually faced with so many different stressors, that sometimes, we don’t even realize we’re stressed out! Think about that. Some of us are already so chronically stressed that we don’t know what being calm even feels like. So before you add another worry to your plate, take a second to reflect. And ask yourself this question, “Am I stressed out?”  Read more

How often does work leave you drained, exhausted, and completely burnt out? Is there a correlation between job stress and mental illness?

Job Stress and Mental Illness

/1 Comment/in , /by

From the time we could talk, people have been asking us what we want to be when we grow up. Many of us dreamed big, wanting to be astronauts, Olympians, firefighters, or the president. This question engrained in us the importance of our one-day career. Not only do they provide a source of income, but they also help us fulfill our personal goals, build networks, and serve the community. One thing the adults forgot to warn us about though, is that all jobs are a major source of emotional stress. Is there a correlation between job stress and mental illness?

Read more

According to the Law of Attraction, we are constantly sending out signals into the universe. What are you attracting?

How to Use the Law of Attraction

/1 Comment/in , , /by

The concept of attracting specific things into our lives has many names. Manifestation. The Secret. The Law of Attraction. The theory states that regardless of your age, nationality, or religious belief, we are all susceptible to the laws which govern the Universe. It is through the specific Law of Attraction in which we utilize the power of the mind to translate our thoughts in reality. If you think about it, all of our thoughts turn into things in some way or another. If your thoughts tend to focus on the negative, your reality shifts to that perspective. But if you focus on positive thoughts, you will always find a way to achieve them.  Read more

gratitude practice

It’s Time to Develop a Gratitude Practice

/0 Comments/in , /by

It seems as though more and more people are getting involved in gratitude practices. But what is gratitude exactly? The dictionary definition is “the quality of being thankful”. And “readiness to show appreciation for and to return kindness”. Yet how many of us practice gratitude on a daily basis? Expressing gratitude is more than courtesy, manners, or being polite. It’s about showing your heartfelt appreciation. And did you know, people who regularly practice gratitude by taking the time to notice and reflect upon the things they’re thankful for experience a number of benefits? Benefits that include more positive emotions, feel more alive, sleep better, express more compassion and kindness, and even have stronger immune systems.

Read more