Mental Health

When we focus on health and wellness in life, it’s very easy to only focus on the physical and overlook the mental, emotional, and relational aspects. However, because we are whole people, we encompass many areas of wellness within us, not just the physical. To be “whole person healthy”, we must cast a bigger net than just working out and eating well (although both of those are very important as well!). As a counselor, I believe that the mental and emotional components of our health are critical, and therefore an important part of my life and my writing. Here are some of the posts I’ve done in the area of mental health by topic:

Anxiety, Stress, and Depression

• Also see “Negative Thinking and Cognitive Distortions” below
• Grounding Techniques
• Tips for Dealing With Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Reducing Stress During the Christmas Season

Boundaries

• Introducing Boundaries
• Influence vs. Ownership (What is our responsibility?)
• Respecting the No
• Health Attracting Health
• Owning Our Reactions

Eating Disorders

• National Eating Disorder Awareness Week (and Resources)

Gratitude (Thankfulness)

• Cultivating Gratitude

Grief and Tragedy

• Grief During the Christmas Season
• When it Comes To Dealing With Tragedy

Negative Thinking and Cognitive Distortions

• Thoughts, Feelings, Behaviors
• REBT Self Help Form
• Thought Record & Reframing Negative Thought Patterns
• Catastrophizing
• Embracing Shades of Gray Thinking

Relationship Struggles and Health

• Also see “boundaries” section above
• Repression in Relationships (expressing our needs and wants)
• Acknowledging Our Hurt

Self Care

• Loving Yourself {On Valentine’s Day}

Trust (Safety)

• Losing Our Safety
• Characteristics of Unsafe People: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4
• Characteristics of Safe People 

Wellness

• Presence of the Positives
• On Being Present (Mindfulness and Living In The Moment)
• Tracking Behavior Before Making Changes

Disclaimer: While I am a counselor, these posts are in no way supposed to take the place of a doctor or a therapist. They are meant to challenge your thinking, convey information, and give you pause to evaluate your own life. If you are experiencing mental or emotional struggles (depression, anxiety, PTSD, eating disorder, etc…), please contact your doctor or a local counselor. If you are experiencing suicidal thinking, please immediately call 911, your doctor, or go to the hospital.