5 Tips On Adjusting Your Expectations Of Yourself

/

Wow, isn’t this a new world we are all trying to navigate!  Covid-19 has quickly changed so much of our lives. Suddenly, many of us are working from home, with our kids at home too, without our typical supports and outlets.  Our kids have school work to do, while we are trying to do work, and we are trying to keep it all together running smoothly without going out in public too much.  We are all suffering from various forms of grief: kids who are missing their friends, plays, and proms, weddings postponed, baby showers cancelled, funerals postponed.  In the midst of all of this juggling and cancelled events, we are all living with the reality that our world has changed, and with that might come fear or anxiety related to all this uncertainty.  Change is hard for us all, let alone change in nearly every aspect of our lives!

Read More

Overcoming the Stigma of Mental Health

/

You have strep throat.  Although you don’t like going to the doctor, you do it.  You don’t hesitate too much about going except for maybe the fee associated with a medical appointment.  You don’t fear being judged for going to the doctor to get treatment for your sore, red throat.  However, if you are struggling with sadness or struggle with calming racing thoughts, you fear being judged about this.  Why?  Is it because many people don’t understand or believe in the severity and debilitating effects of mental illness?  When you have strep throat or perhaps a broken arm, it is quite easy to recognize and tell how much suffering one is experiencing.  However, with mental illness, the physical signs are typically not as noticeable. 

Read More

Taking Care Of You

/

Likely many of us are experiencing worry these days. Worry about finding toilet paper at the store when our family needs it.  Worry about staying healthy.  Worry about being off of work and our income being affected.  Worry about being isolated from others.  This new reality feels very different for us all-it’s very shocking.  I want to remind you to take care of you. I’d like to offer a few tips to care for your mental wellbeing during this time:

Read More

What Positive Life Changes Will You Make This Year?

/

Rather than throwing too much stock in a resolution, I’d suggest that you think about positive life changes you can make. And, set yourself up for success. Take your goals or lifestyle changes and break them down into smaller goals that are measurable. Let’s walk through that a little together….. if your goal is to stop smoking, don’t just say I’m going to stop smoking. First, honestly evaluate how many cigarettes a day you smoke now and then try to reduce your daily amount by let’s say 2 for the next week. And then by another 2 the week after that. Plan do reduce each week by 2 until you are smoke free. Make sure you notice when you tend to smoke or why and be ready with other alternatives. For example if you tend to smoke on a break from work, try drinking a glassful off water instead or call your significant other. Or if you like having something in your mouth, then try to have sugar free lifesavers on hand. 

Read More