Mental health is an increasingly relevant topic. According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five American adults experience a mental health issue in their life time. Moreover, additional sources note that in a yearly period, one in 10 young adults experience a period of major depression and one in 25 Americans […]

Individuals have many needs- both physical, emotional, and spiritual. The focus of this series has been taking a dive into the nine different emotional needs. When someone is suffering, we can often take a glance at their emotional needs, and work toward fulfilling those that might not be satisfied. Thankfully there is a way to […]

Individuals have many needs- both physical, emotional, and spiritual. The focus of this series will take a quick dive into the nine different emotional needs. When someone is suffering, we can often take a glance at their emotional needs. As a next step, work toward fulfilling those needs that might not be satisfied. Thankfully there […]

Have you ever had the opportunity to enjoy an inspirational movie, and it just lit up your world?  I oftentimes find myself choosing movies with themes that mirror my current situation or problem. It’s almost like the characters in the movie take on the role of the person or condition that challenge me, or subjects […]

Your alarm clock goes off in the morning after a night of restless tossing and turning. You slowly get out of bed and feel “off”. Showering is exhausting, and getting dressed takes so much energy that you’re ready to crawl right back into bed. You think to yourself – “why bother? Nobody is going to […]

When we think of self-care, the most obvious thing to consider is if you are eating right, exercising, and getting enough sleep.  Although this is very important to overall self-care, there are several other areas of your life to consider as well. Just like when you are flying on an airplane and it is suggested […]

“[…]  Pessimists can learn the skills of optimism and permanently improve the quality of their lives.” – Martin Seligman. Ph.D. My previous blog, Why Optimism Matters, established that optimism is pretty darn important. It can have a lasting impact on your health and overall well-being. Our mindset is powerful! Now that we recognize the importance […]

Persistent Depressive Disorder You’re the one always smiling and laughing to prove that you’re having fun in the social setting that you forced yourself to go to. You ask yourself, “can people see through my façade?,” and feel guilty for possibly pulling them down with you. Maybe joy comes in small waves. However, your laughter […]

When my mom became ill after my father died, I did not have a lot of options.  My husband and I decided to move her into our home. We could assist her with costs and care so she could help us with our young children while I went back to graduate school.  Although, as the […]