Do you need a mask or not? Are vaccines or boosters mandated? What economic help is still available? Can you go to school or work in person? From state to state and city to city, it seems everyone is at odds these days. Behind all these official pronouncements, you have a simmering volcano of opinions and emotions. The conflict is real and, for … [Read more...]
Keeping Calm at College: Everyday Ways to Cope with Anxiety
Any September, in any year, you will find new college students feeling anxiety about the big transition. Even under “normal” circumstances, the pressure can get to you. Up to 32 percent of new college students report feeling stressed and anxious. Two out of three feel lonely. And 17 percent experience full-blown depression. Post-pandemic, … [Read more...]
What to Do When Your Child Won’t Stop Lying
Every child will tell a few lies at some point. Generally speaking, this is not something to panic about. Still, it’s also not something to ignore. At any age, a child's tendency to play fast and loose with the truth is an opportunity for you to have an important conversation. Before you react, pay attention. Keep an eye out for new or unusual … [Read more...]
Generational Trauma: How to Recognize It and Overcome It
From our parents, we inherit an incredibly wide range of characteristics. There are plenty of conversations to be had about eye color or the timbre of one’s laugh. But this process also means that emotional baggage can be passed down. Women carry with them the same eggs that are formed when they are in the womb. This means we each grow in a … [Read more...]
Is Your Loved One Depressed? What to Look For
Does your loved one have depression or just a bad case of the blues? Depression is a common mental health disorder. Even so, it’s not always easy to recognize in others, particularly someone close to you. Moreover, depression can present differently from person to person so it’s tough to make general assumptions. On top of all that, once you’ve … [Read more...]
Fear and Forgetfulness: Are Your Anxiety and Working Memory Linked?
There are so many things that can cause you to feel stress. You might be anxious about a job interview. Then again, you might be in the midst of a global pandemic. To your brain, it’s all “stress.” That’s the catch. Regardless of the source (real or imagined), your brain will initiate the stress response. Such communication between your … [Read more...]
Got Parenting to Do? How to Discuss Your Obligations at Work
Among the countless challenges of the past year or so, parenting obligations are certainly high on the list. It’s not as if things were simple before the lockdowns. But the last 15 months have certainly raised the stakes. There’s a good chance you’ve been working from home. Then you have the possibility of either having to transition back to the … [Read more...]
BIPOC Need Space in the Workplace: 5 Ways to Help Create It
Our work lives can be a challenge under any circumstances. For black, indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC), it also involves some unique obstacles. These complications can often seem invisible to those who are not BIPOC. This can cause discomfort but it's also an opportunity to improve the quality of the workplace. Diversity is more … [Read more...]
Battling Inflammation? Signs That Your Depression is Linked
You may be surprised to learn that depression is the leading cause of disability across the globe. You may be shocked to learn too, that at least half of the people with depression are not responsive to existing treatments. As you can imagine, this crisis is the focus of ongoing research. One area of study points to the presence of … [Read more...]
Too Anxious to Sleep? What You Can Do to Rest Well
Anxiety at night is very similar to anxiety during the day. But there’s one big difference. Throughout the day, you’re usually preoccupied with tasks, interests, and responsibilities. By the time you prepare for bed, however, you typically have more space for fixation and worry. Add to this the likelihood that night anxiety will impact your sleep, … [Read more...]