Discussions surrounding the relationship between social media and mental health tend to focus on negative impacts of the former on the latter. There is empirical support for a relationship between emergence of depressive and anxiety symptoms and time spent on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. But is this a full picture? There is perhaps another side to the...[ read more ]

If you struggle to set/meet goals, you are not alone. In fact, perhaps as much as 92% of the population has found it difficult to achieve goals they set. This reality - the cycle of setting/trying to reach behavior change goals and failing to do so - can produce mental health symptoms (e.g., hopelessness, low mood, irritability). When we do...[ read more ]

If you struggle with anxiety, the experience of a racing heart, starting to sweat, and perhaps a strong urge to escape from your current situation might be familiar. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety disorders are the most common form of mental illness in the United States affecting approximately 40 million adults. While our mind might...[ read more ]

While challenge and difficulty are a reality of the human condition, some of us must also navigate traumatic experiences. Trauma takes many forms: a physically or emotionally abusive relationship, motor vehicle accident, rape, sudden loss of a loved one, or war. When a person experiences trauma, understanding of self, others, or the world can change - sometimes substantially and quickly....[ read more ]

Someone slides into the parking spot you had your eye on. A coworker takes credit for your work. Your spouse charges $200 on the credit card without discussing it first. These are experiences that might generate anger. And that’s okay. Anger is a natural response to many life events. Like other emotions, anger helps us understand our world and how...[ read more ]

If we had been told a year ago we would be contending with a global pandemic – one resulting in substantial limitations to the routines of our days, weeks, and seasons – there likely would have been significant skepticism expressed in response to such a prediction. And yet, here we are. While some communities are more open than others, there...[ read more ]

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 9% of American adults live with depression. In addition, a Major Depressive Episode is the leading cause of disability for Americans ages 15 to 44. Antidepressants are commonly prescribed to treat moderate to severe depressive symptoms. While helpful, these medications can also produce uncomfortable side effects - headaches, nausea, sleep...[ read more ]

From a young age we are often taught to be kind, considerate, and compassionate toward others; however, we are less typically encouraged to show this same consideration to ourselves. Self-compassion means striving to maintain a courteous, supportive, and nonjudgmental relationship with ourselves. Doing so is important because it can help us appreciate our unconditional worth and value. Recognizing that missteps...[ read more ]

Humans have a need for social connection. This stems, in part, from our ancestors needing to stick together to stay alive. Individuals who strayed from the group experienced a harder time surviving the elements and not starving to death. While it is far safer to be an individual these days, that does not mean it is healthy for us to...[ read more ]

Dislike exercising? You are definitely not alone. At any time during the year, thousands of folks across the country commit to working out only to fall off the wagon weeks later. Why does exercising feel so hard and can you learn to like it more? Exercise feels like a chore perhaps because of misconceptions surrounding this behavior. One option to...[ read more ]