Category: Mental Health

It’s no secret teens aren’t as happy as they were before the pandemic. Online learning, the loss of sports and activities, and minimal socializing, lockdowns are especially rough during a time when trying to find an identity and gain independence from parents. In a recent survey of 100 teens, 65% reported signs of depression, anxiety, and little to no exercise. These symptoms are even…

As we head toward easing stay-home orders, it’s normal to be concerned about keeping you and your family healthy. This new way of life brought awareness to handwashing, disinfecting surfaces, distancing, and more. Those things are important, but how do you know the difference between being cautious and being compulsive? Here are some points to consider if you’re concerned about OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder)…

As the anxiety, frustration, and boredom of lockdown continues, at-home alcohol consumption is on the rise. It’s reported that sales of alcohol grew 55% over the past month, and many are struggling with keeping their drinking in check. But what if your spouse or partner is the one indulging a little too much? We may all have similar feelings, but our reactions are different,…

People tend to drink more during stressful times, so it’s not surprising to see an increase in alcohol consumption during the Coronavirus pandemic. Changes in daily routine and fears about health can cause anxiety and loneliness, and having an extra cocktail or two may seem harmless while ordered to stay at home. Be careful of this slippery slope, however, because an increase in alcohol…

New York psychologist Dr. Eileen Feliciano shared many helpful tips on how to cope with COVID-19. She states, "I can’t control a lot of what is going on right now, but I can contribute this." Here's her advice, in her own wise words: Stick to a routine. Go to sleep and wake up at a reasonable time, write a schedule that is varied and includes…

Over 40 million people in the U.S. are living with anxiety disorders today. Being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder can be unnerving. Yet being diagnosed can be your first step in the right direction. Professional basketball player, Royce White, has been vocal about his experience living with anxiety. White encourages people to seek help. In Men’s Journal, White was quoted, “Being able to level…

It seems so long since the burgeoning excitement for springtime swept through Illinois. The relief of longer and sunnier days has quickly given way to immense anxiety in this age of Coronavirus. Folks are fearing for their health and safety as their outlets and escapes simultaneously become eliminated. With an understandable focus on physiological symptoms, many of us are finding our resolve and mental…

Strength-based therapy focuses on your natural strengths rather than your shortcomings or perceived failures. The goal is to implement a positive mindset that helps you build your best qualities and shift into a more optimistic worldview. This powerful “switch-around” of the human mind and its ways of thinking can help you maintain focus on what’s going well and reevaluate your expectations on yourself and…

Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) combines cognitive and behavioral therapies to transform negative thinking patterns and destructive behaviors into positive outcomes. While DBT started as a method to treat borderline personality disorders, it has since shown to be an effective treatment for eating disorders, suicidal ideation, stress management, and more. Along with CBT, DBT is a widely used method of talk therapy among LifeStance Health…

There is a Chinese proverb that says: “If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.” This famous proverb holds a substantial amount of wisdom, and research supports the theory that volunteering benefits your mental…