It's no secret that the holiday season is riddled with intense expectations and pressure. There are so many societal messages about how we should enjoy the most "wonderful time of the year." But if your current life circumstances fall outside of these optimal parameters, you may feel overwhelmed, depressed, or lonely. This year, whether you're spending the holidays alone due...[ read more ]
It's no secret that the holiday season is riddled with intense expectations and pressure. There are so many societal messages about how we should enjoy the most "wonderful time of the year." But if your current life circumstances fall outside of these optimal parameters, you may feel overwhelmed, depressed, or lonely. This year, whether you're spending the holidays alone due...[ read more ]
Setting healthy boundaries can be challenging in any interpersonal dynamic. But in-laws often create added complexities, particularly if you don't necessarily share the same values or don't have the closest relationship. At the same time, avoiding boundaries may result in tension, resentment, and problems with your partner. Regardless of your individual circumstances, here are some guidelines that may help. Share...[ read more ]
Because conflict can feel so dysregulating and uncomfortable, many people try to avoid it altogether. This makes sense. Why make things harder than they need to be? But in an effort to keep peace, you may actually perpetuate more anxiety, tension, and disruption. Furthermore, you might be triggering the very disagreements you hope to avoid. Learning how to manage conflict...[ read more ]
Most people know that practicing gratitude has many profound physical and emotional benefits. However, tapping into your appreciation during a depressive episode can feel like trying to enjoy the sun during a rainstorm. The heaviness of depression and anxiety often makes it challenging to connect with the positive aspects of life, even when you can logically recognize their worth. Gratitude...[ read more ]
Coping with a colleague's death can be logistically and emotionally difficult. While other types of losses, such as the death of a spouse, friend, or family member, are often talked openly about, the complex experience of losing a coworker isn't always as readily named. That said, the average full-time employee works just about 37 hours per week- there's a good...[ read more ]
All emotions are valid during grief. In a society that often misunderstands grief and loss, this can't be emphasized enough. As you move through various feelings, both crying and not crying are valid responses. That said, it can sometimes feel unnerving to not be able to cry during a particularly tenuous time. Maybe you resonate with feeling sad or scared,...[ read more ]
There's no doubt that retirement represents an incredibly significant life transition. Although you can take steps to emotionally prepare for this time, the change can still feel quite jarring. While many retirees first feel excited about the prospects of newfound freedom and relaxation, lacking structure can sometimes coincide with retirement anxiety, despair, or apathy. In some cases, this can lead...[ read more ]
Philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre once said, 'Everything has been figured out, except how to live.' This poignant quote speaks to the intricate complexity of what it means to be alive. As we grow and evolve as humans, our own mortality is something each of us must grapple with. Moving through existential dread can be challenging. And when you experience it amid...[ read more ]
Acute stress refers to how the body immediately responds to real or perceived threats. This type of stress response is situational and often has a defined beginning, middle, and end. Everyone experiences acute stress at times- it's a typical reaction to external stimuli, and it can strengthen our mental focus, provide much-needed adrenaline, and help us problem-solve effectively. But there's...[ read more ]