When people talk about summer, it’s often with a sense of lightness — beach days, vacations, backyard barbecues, kids laughing in sprinklers. But for many of us, especially those living with anxiety, summer doesn’t always feel so carefree. In fact, the season’s unstructured nature can feel destabilizing. Routines change, especially for parents — school ends, childcare may be unpredictable, and daily rhythms become looser or disappear altogether. For someone who relies on stru

Summer often comes with expectations of fun, relaxation, and social activities. However, it can also bring anxiety due to pressures such as fear of missing out (FOMO), body image concerns, and the need to have constant plans. Understanding Summer Anxiety FOMO (Fear of Missing Out): Social media often highlights everyone's best moments, creating a skewed perception that others are always having more fun. This can lead to feelings of inadequacy or exclusion. Body Image Pressure

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it's easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of stress and anxiety. Whether it's looming deadlines, financial pressures, or personal challenges, our nervous systems often bear the brunt of these burdens, leaving us feeling overwhelmed and frazzled. However, there are effective techniques we can employ to regulate our nervous systems and find a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Understanding the Nervous System: Before delving into strategie

Feeling overwhelmed is a common experience, but there are several strategies you can use to manage those feelings and regain a sense of control. Here are some suggestions: Take a Break: Step away from the situation, even if it's just for a few minutes. This can help clear your mind and provide a fresh perspective. Prioritize Tasks: Identify the most important tasks that need to be done and focus on those first. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Crea

Mindfulness is a practice that involves being fully present and engaged in the moment without judgment. It can help reduce stress, improve focus, and enhance overall well-being. If you're new to mindfulness, here are some steps to get started: Start with Short Sessions: Begin with short mindfulness sessions, maybe just 5-10 minutes. You can gradually extend the time as you become more comfortable with the practice. Find a Quiet Space: Choose a quiet and comfortable place wher

Welcoming a new life into the world is undoubtedly a joyous and transformative experience. However, the postpartum period can also bring about a range of emotions, including anxiety. Postpartum anxiety is a common but often under-discussed condition that affects many new parents. In this blog post, we will delve into the world of postpartum anxiety, exploring its causes, symptoms, and most importantly, strategies for managing and overcoming it. If you or someone you know is s

Breathing tech niques are often used as a form of mindfulness practice to help reduce feelings of anxiety. Here are a few ways that breathing can help reduce anxiety: Deep breathing activates the relaxation response: When we take deep, slow breaths, we activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which helps to counteract the effects of the sympathetic nervous system (the "fight or flight" response). This can lead to a feeling of relaxation and calmness. Breathing can help sh

Dating anxiety is a common experience for many people. Whether you are just starting to date or have been in the dating scene for a while, anxiety can creep in and make things difficult. In this blog post, we will explore the causes of dating anxiety, its symptoms, and some tips on how to manage it. Causes of dating anxiety There are several reasons why someone might experience dating anxiety. For some, it may be the fear of rejection or not being good enough. For others, it

Communicate with your partner: Start by letting your them know how important it is for you to hear words of affirmation from him. Explain that it makes you feel appreciated and loved. Be specific: Tell your partner exactly what you would like to hear from him. Give him examples of the kind of affirming words that would make you feel good, such as compliments, expressions of gratitude, or words of encouragement. Show appreciation: When your partner does say something affirming

Social anxiety can be a challenging condition to deal with, but there are several things you can do to manage it: Identify and challenge negative thoughts: Social anxiety often stems from negative thoughts and beliefs about oneself and others. Identify these thoughts and challenge their accuracy. Ask yourself if they are based on evidence or if they are just assumptions. Practice relaxation techniques: Deep breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, and visualization technique

1. Listen. If they are willing to take to you, take the time to hear them out and allow them to express all of what they are feeling. Focus on listening and not readying yourself to respond. We tend to rush to fix things or defend ourselves, but before resolution there should be understanding. 2. Empathize. You don't have to agree with the other person's viewpoint, but you do want to show that you hear them and you care. Try using language like, "I hear what you're saying" or

Prepare in advance: Before making a phone call, take a few minutes to prepare yourself mentally and gather any information or materials you may need during the call. This can help to reduce anxiety and make you feel more in control. Use deep breathing techniques: Take a few deep breaths before and during the call to help calm your nerves and relax your body. Find a quiet and comfortable space: Choose a quiet and comfortable space to make the call, free from distractions and i

The pandemic is affecting adolescents in many ways. In addition to the threat to our safety and security, the adjustment can be particularly stressful for them, and being stuck at home impacts their social-emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as increases feelings of isolation and loneliness. It does appear that the rates of anxiety and depression are increasing. These are formative years in developing identity and sense of self, and being held back from their peer groups

We start developing an attachment style as an infant, it’s first formed by the way you bond with your caregivers and continues to develop throughout childhood. People generally form attachment is 1 of 4 ways. The first is the anxious type who often seeks approval, reassurance, and worries that the other person is not as invested as they are. There’s often a strong fear of abandonment. It can lead to being clingy or demanding, being in an unhealthy or abusive relationship. It

Research is showing that cell phone addiction can affect us in more ways than we think. It’s not just about social media, self-esteem, FOMO, and poor sleep habits. Most young adults use texting as a primary source of communication and use them in many contexts in which older adults might not (while out to dinner, to break up with someone, to catch up with an old friend). In a way, cell phones encourage us to be anti-social and limit face-to-face interaction. For kids and teen

Picture yourself standing with a fence around you. Inside the fence contains your feelings, beliefs, values, your ideas and emotions- who you are as an individual. Without that fence, others can begin to easily influence and sometimes dictate how you live your life. Keeping our boundaries in place, which often includes saying “no,” puts healthy limits on relationships and prevents others from taking advantage. In order to show others how we want to be respected, we have to r

Square Breathing is an easy breathing technique that's helpful in calming the mind, body, and bringing you back to the present moment. Start by sitting in a comfortable position. -Inhale and count to 4 -Hold for 4 -Exhale and count to 4 -Hold for 4 -Repeat, as needed. You can do this anytime, anywhere, and it's a great opportunity to reset! \

The “Sunday scaries” aka “Sunday blues,” or even “Smonday” is a concept so real that 76% of Americans reported having “really bad” Sunday night anxiety (monster.com). We are often more anxious Sunday nights than we are during the actual work week. We essentially waste time being anxious, because the anxiety is out of proportion to the actual event (work) and is unproductive. It doesn’t really prepare us for the week, it just makes us stressed, nauseated, fatigued, or nervous.

Using Your Phone to Improve Your Mental Health: A Review of Popular Apps While technology and media tends to screw us up in so many ways, we are also lucky to have it, and the access to the help and information it gives us. In addition to books on our phones, podcasts, and access to teletherapy, there are so many apps that focus on mental health. Here are a few of our favorites and a little bit about what they are good for: What's Up is a free app that aims to help with anxie