While talking gets a lot of attention in relationships, listening is just as important (if not more so). Experts in relationships at The Gottman Institute highlight that listening isn’t just about hearing words — it’s about truly understanding where your partner is coming from. So, let’s break down the art of listening, Gottman style, to […]
With any transition, we’re often greeted with a mix of emotions. Welcoming the new year can bring on hope, excitement, and sometimes even anxiety. A new year will bring both opportunities and challenges for all of us, especially those of us actively trying to maintain our mental well-being. Here’s a guide to embracing the new […]
How is it already December? Time has flown by and we’re back in the busy holiday season! In today’s blog post, we’ll be discussing ways that we can nurture our mental health during this time of year. While this season may bring joy for many, it may also bring stress, grief, and sadness. Considering this, […]
Positivity is something that we are all seeking it seems, and with good reason. A more positive mindset has been associated with better resiliency, lower distress, healthier relationships, and generally better mental and physical health. In fact, creating a more positive mindset is often a goal of therapy. However, like all things, we can go […]
Gratitude has been a hot topic in psychology for a while now, and for good reason. There is a stack of literature that links gratitude to a multitude of positive outcomes. Some of these benefits are things that you might expect, like increasing positive outlook, improving symptoms of anxiety, or helping to relieve depression. Logically, […]
Talking to children about death can feel overwhelming and intimidating. Many parents, relatives, and caregivers have the desire to protect their children from the heavy feelings associated with death. However, children should be given the opportunity to grieve just as we do when faced with the death of someone close to them. Choosing not to […]
Distress is uncomfortable. Whether it’s anxiety when meeting new people, fear that your partner doesn’t care, or disappointment in missing out on something you want, “distress” does not feel good. Because that visceral unpleasantness is a fundamental characteristic of distress, we tend to try to avoid it and want to protect our loved ones from […]
Your brain is wired in a certain way to protect you from danger. When there is a threat, your brain triggers what is known as the fight/flight/freeze response. This response changes the way your body feels in an effort to keep you safe. Imagine for a minute that you are walking through the woods, and […]
So, if self-help has so many pitfalls should you just cut it out completely? Definitely not. Self-help can be a great tool in your mental health journey, it’s just a matter of learning to choose the right one for you, and learning how best to interact with this type of material. Here are some tips […]
Again, self-improvement is a great goal. This post is not intended to discourage you from taking charge of your own growth with established programs. It is simply intended to flag a few flaws in most self-help programs that are actually detrimental to our mental health. In part 2, we finish off the list of things […]