Articles

Develop a Bedtime Routine You might try starting with the hour before bed. Reduce screen time during this hour. You might like to begin the hour with a shower or bath. You might then try incorporating activities you find relaxing such a reading a non-stimulating book, working on a puzzle, crafting, or restorative yoga. Keep…

As you lay your head down at night after a day of activity, do you ever experience an increase in mental chatter or restlessness? Suddenly your thoughts want to drift to everything you need to get done tomorrow or you replay all the past conversations from the day, going over what you could have said…

What is Role Exit? Role exit is a term coined by sociologist Helen Ebaugh in 1988 in her book Becoming an Ex: The Process of Role Exit. It describes the process of removing oneself from an identity-defining social role. People experience role exits through many aspects of life including job or career changes, retirement, leaving…

How we communicate in relationships is important to the health and strength of the connection between two people. A foundational tool of communication is the “I feel” statement. But what actually is an “I feel” statement and how does it work? If in relationships you are navigating recurring conflicts, emotional distance, or difficulty understanding each…

Grief is a natural part of our human response to loss, and the amount of time we spend in grief can vary by person and situation. There’s no standard amount of time that one should or shouldn’t grieve. If your grief from the loss of a loved one lasts longer than one year and becomes…

What’s the Connection Between Your Breath and Your Stress Response? Certain breath practices and meditations are proven to aid in handling stress. Breath is inherently connected to our nervous system and our energy. Inhalations are like slightly pressing a gas pedal while exhalations are like slightly pressing the brake pedal. Because of this, exploring patterns…

What is doomscrolling? With all the uncertainty in the world, you may find yourself on your phone continuously scrolling through social media posts or news content that feels sad or distressing. This is doomscrolling, and you are not alone. The term doomscrolling was popularized in 2020 when it was one of Oxford English Dictionary’s words…

Many of us experience anxiety on a regular basis. Anxiety can show up in various ways and times and sometimes at really inconvenient moments! Most individuals can identify with the physical and emotional symptoms that can be associated with anxiety, such as feeling overwhelmed, unable to think clearly, feeling panicky, shortness of breath, racing heart,…

Being a parent of an LGBTQ+ child is a very meaningful and sometimes delicate role to play. Coming out is a lifelong process for people who are gay, lesbian, transgender, queer, etc. that consists of exploration, understanding, and then sharing their identity with others. Playing the role of a parent can sometimes be stressful as…

The brain is the most evolved, intricate, and sensitive organ in our bodies. Its role in survival is absolutely crucial, and it can also leave us feeling dysregulated. The way our brains process and integrate stressful situations is complicated so it is important to highlight how trauma impacts the brain’s structures.  In the therapeutic world,…

Many people struggle with procrastinating and the act of avoiding something in their lives. Whether it is big or small, often clients come in for therapy identifying “avoidance” as one of their main coping skills when they are stressed or distressed. They often come in for therapy because this coping skill is no longer working…