Category: Healthy Coping
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Understanding Cognitive Dissonance
Cognitive dissonance has become a major buzz word in recent years. But what is it? How does it impact us? Can we actually use it to our advantage? What is it? Why do we get it? Cognitive dissonance is the negative or uncomfortable feeling we get when we hold contradicting beliefs and values or are Read more
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Top 3 Free Mental Health Apps
Disclaimer: I am in no way sponsored or associated with any of the following applications or companies. The following is my own experience and understanding of these tools. Please check out these apps yourself or contact their support for most up-to-date information. When we think of mobile applications, social media is often the first to Read more
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Technology & Mental Health
Technology has become a major factor in every aspect of life. Mental health is not an exception. It is important to recognize both the benefits and risks associated with technology use when it comes to our mental wellbeing. Benefits One of the largest benefits of technology became apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Due Read more
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Expand Your Toolkit: Importance of Having Multiple Coping Techniques
Resilience and coping tend to be buzz words when talking about mental health – and for good reason. Building resilience and having healthy coping skills are the best ways to prevent crises and overcome obstacles. However, we often neglect to talk about the importance of having multiple coping techniques to deal with the variety of Read more
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Ways Weight Lifting Transformed My Mental Health
Previously, we discussed prominent issues in the fitness industry and how this has devastated the mental health of many fitness enthusiasts. I ended that post by stating that exercise is an essential component to mental health. To expand on this, I want to discuss how one of my favorite types of exercise – weight lifting Read more
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Breathing for Anxiety
Breathing exercises can help reduce stress or anxiety – and in some cases de-escalate panic attacks. Research has shown that mindful breathing practice reduces heart rate and blood pressure. This demonstrates the effectiveness of these interventions, not just on our mental wellbeing but also our physical. These exercises can be done on their own or Read more
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Crisis Prevention at the Individual Level
Crisis prevention starts with us. By practicing proper self-care techniques, we can stop a mental health crisis before it even starts. Today we will be discussing the components of self-care which make up crisis prevention at the individual level. Education The first step to practicing self-care and preventing a crisis is understanding mental health. Identifying Read more
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Crisis Prevention at the Community Level
Crisis prevention is vital in saving lives and strengthening communities. It happens at multiple levels, each being vital but consisting of different components. The community level refers to services offered to residents in a certain neighborhood, town, or demographic. This level involves healthcare services, schools, and other community services. Collaborative Care Model As we learn Read more
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Helping in a Crisis
When a crisis hits, it can be overwhelming for those wanting to help. You may be uncertain what to do or lack the confidence to jump into action. While every situation is unique, these are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when coming to the aid of someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Be Read more
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Progressive Muscle Relaxation
The Mind and Body Connection Our bodies and minds are deeply connected. When we are struggling mentally our bodies can also carry tension. In fact, the American Psychological Association states that long-term or chronic stress has devastating effects on ALL of our bodily systems. (Check out their article here.) But this connection also means we Read more