Sleep is a vital part of our well-being. It’s our body’s way of re-energizing, restoring, and repairing itself. When we sleep poorly, it can be harder for us to make-decisions, deal with our emotions, remember things, and focus. On top of that, it can be extremely frustrating when we struggle to fall asleep. Lying in […]
One psychological term that has entered the popular vocabulary is “codependent”. On social media, this term often describes someone who is overly invested in their relationship, having gotten to the point where they “need” their partner. Often, the popular use of this term implies that any reliance on your partner for emotional support and stability […]
This seems like the most commonly misused psychological term these days. You may have even heard it in the last few weeks while someone was describing a conflict at work or in their romantic relationship. But what does “narcissist” really mean? First, it’s important to say that narcissism is a collection of traits that exist […]
The increased visibility of mental health concerns and therapy have done a lot to reduce the stigma when talking about mental health. The other side of that coin is that people have begun to use terms used in psychology when they may not actually apply. But why are people using/misusing these terms so much these […]
“Never attribute to malice what could adequately be explained by ignorance” Over the years we spend with a person we come to believe certain things about them, not all of them good. For example, we may see our partners as “lazy”, “inconsiderate”, or “self-absorbed”. Although these unflattering beliefs can be problematic in themselves, there is […]
“The measure of a healthy relationship is not if we argue, but how we argue.” Every deep relationship has conflict. It is a necessary outcome of connection. The important thing is how that conflict is managed when it happens, and how we repair after a conflict. Today’s post is more about managing conflict when it […]
“Sometimes all you need is a hug from the right person and your stress will melt away” Valentine’s Day can go either way. At its best, it can create deep feelings of gratitude for your partner and your relationship. At its worst, it can highlight everything you feel is wrong or missing in your love […]
“The paradox is that hedonism, the pursuit of pleasure for its own sake, leads to anhedonia. Which is the inability to enjoy pleasure of any kind.” Dr. Anna Lembke The content of this post is drawn from a great book called Dopamine Nation, by Dr. Anna Lembke. Dopamine is a powerful neurotransmitter. Common knowledge tends […]
Even though education and awareness are growing around this particular danger, understanding that it is happening doesn’t always translate into stopping the comparison behaviour. This likely comes down to the fact that much of this comparison is happening outside our conscious awareness, and therefore, generally outside of our control. We are constantly, and subconsciously, building […]
“Comparison is the thief of joy” Theodore Roosevelt The parallel rise in mental health concerns and social media use has not gone unnoticed to most. I think a lot of us are at least vaguely aware of an association between social media use and mental health problems, even in our own lives. There are several […]