By Ashley Hart The past 12 months have been wildly different from years past. At times, it may feel like the coronavirus pandemic has changed how we do everything. Social gatherings are different (or non-existent), education is virtual, everyone is masked, and anxiety and depression are on the rise (CDC, 2020). It’s important to normalize the feelings of grief that...[ read more ]
With all the demands and stressors of today, there seems little opportunity or desire to add one more thing to the list, especially play or to exercise. For children, telling them to go outside to play might be the only thing they do the first time you tell them to; but, for adults, suggesting they go play or find some...[ read more ]
Communicating clearly can be incredibly difficult, especially when emotions are involved. It can feel nearly impossible to get your point across when you are also trying to manage your feelings. Just take a moment to imagine with me: you come home after a difficult day, and your partner says something that just doesn’t quite sit right with you, but you...[ read more ]
Have you ever had a thought take you down a trail of anxious thinking ending with the worst possible outcome you’re convinced is going to happen? It might start out with wondering if you forgot to blow out a candle while you’re out to dinner with a friend. You may begin to worry and have a hard time focusing on...[ read more ]
Highly Sensitive Person. Sounds like a bad thing, right? In our society today, just the word “sensitive” typically makes someone think “weak” or “easily broken”...Yet the truth about highly sensitive people (HSPs) is the exact opposite. According to Dr. Elaine Aron, a psychologist, researcher, and author of the bestselling book, The Highly Sensitive Person, around 15-20% of the population has...[ read more ]
Social distancing is the idea that decreasing overall social contact will help limit the spread of illnesses, such as COVID-19. But what about other, more prevalent illnesses? What about depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and other illnesses that may be worsened by loneliness and isolation? Here are 4 ideas for coping with loneliness as you try to help thwart the coronavirus....[ read more ]