You may think your worries about day-to-day happenings are normal. However, you may actually be dealing with anxiety without knowing it. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA): “Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the U.S., affecting 40 million adults in the United States age 18 and older, or 18.1% of the…
Many of the Halloween masks and horror movies we see this month are meant to frighten us. It simply goes along with the holiday tradition. But did you know that other things happening in normal day-to-day routines may cause some individuals to experience extreme fear or excessive anxiety? Diagnosed anxiety is a mental health disorder affecting millions of individuals…
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.” ~Albert Einstein You may think you’ve racked up enough alone time over the past few years to last a lifetime, but having regular stints of private time is actually good for our souls. In fact, we read in Psalm 62:5 where King David…
Which colors are you drawn to when you are excited about a new project or event? How about when you’re feeling worried or melancholy? Ever wonder why? You may not think about it, but there’s actually a reason behind the mood and behavior that comes from the colors in your environment. And if you are…
In a previous segment of this series, we learned that anxiety could affect our thoughts and behavior in such a way that we are debilitated in our daily functioning. You may be concerned about how this could affect you at the workplace. Normal job stress—meeting deadlines, talking with clients, being prepared, balancing your workload—is typical workplace angst. But, if anxiety-related unease hinders your ability…
School is beginning again for a lot of kids this Fall semester. For many, it’s an exciting time to renew friendships and move up a grade level. But for others, it can be difficult due to nervousness about a variety of issues. Is your child filled with anxiety about going back to the classroom? Has she shown intense hesitation…
We all experience situations that can throw our attitudes for a loop. Sometimes we can pop back from disappointments without much trouble. On other days, the gloom lingers like a thick fog over our heads and we desperately wish for it all to clear—if we only knew how to hurry it along. So, what is your…
We’re officially in the summertime. Other than finding opportunities to splash in a swimming pool, what are you doing with your leisure time? Perhaps you should consider reading a few great books! Brain Boosts! According to thehealthsite.com, there are several science-based rewards that come with reading, such as: Mental exercise: Reading is like a pleasant form of exercise for your brain that…
Addiction begins with the hope that something ‘out there’ can instantly fill up the emptiness inside.” – Jean Kilbourne Do you think addiction can’t happen to your child? As a substance abuse counselor, I have seen many individuals from “good homes” with “good parents” who started down a bad path with drugs/alcohol during their teen years.…
Just as important as getting a regular physical checkup, we need to know the status of our mental health to be sure we’re on the right track. But we first need to know what we’re looking for. What exactly is mental health anyway? Mentalhealth.gov defines mental health as “our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It…