Blogs

All children hear the adage “back in the day” from the older generations. We were all warned, “wait ’til you’re older,” but most of us just laughed it off as a stuffy sentiment. Now you’re in your 20’s. You probably never expected to have this thought cross your mind that life was easier when you were younger!

But when you think about it, life was pretty easy as a teenager. The worst thing you had to worry about was your parents laying down rules and turning in homework assignments. Aside from that, it was fun, games, and hanging out with friends. If you’re longing for the past and dreading the future, you might be experiencing a quarter-life crisis. The good news is this is a normal part of becoming an adult.

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According to the Beatles, money can’t buy you love. Per some old proverb, money also can’t buy happiness. The downside is money can cause a lot of stress and negatively impact many aspects of life. It’s intertwined into so many parts of our health and well-being that it isn’t something to brush off.

These days, with inflation and uncertainty, financial management is more important than ever. How a person relates to money can significantly impact their mental health.

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Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health conditions today. It is estimated that one in fifteen adults is likely to experience depression or depressive episodes during their lifetime. 

Depression is a very complex mental health disorder that can be very difficult to experience. The symptoms can range from mild to severe, and you may experience depression for months or even years at a time. 

Due to the severity of this condition can have, you may be concerned about being at risk of depression. With that in mind, let’s consider the causes, symptoms, and what you can do to reduce the risk of experience long-term negative effects from depression. 

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You just had a baby! Your little bundle of joy has finally arrived, and now you are entering this new chapter. It should be the time of your life. Yet here you are, feeling the baby blues.

Yes, a new baby can indeed be exciting, rewarding, and show you a love and connection like you have never had before. It is also hard and stressful. Life as you knew it has drastically changed. Society doesn’t often highlight the difficult parts of parenting, yet it is a common reality most new parents face.

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Do you notice yourself getting very gloomy during the very sunny days? You could be feeling depressed for most of the day, have low energy levels, and lose interest in your favorite activities. These classic symptoms of depression could result from reverse Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

SAD is when you experience depression during winter when the weather gets cold and there is less sunlight. However, some people experience reverse SAD, when you experience depression four or five months a year when the weather is warm. Despite the sunlight and longer days, some people find it affects their mood negatively. If you are dealing with the summer blues, here are six ways to help you through the summer months.

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The world is eager to celebrate as we say goodbye to 2020 and welcome 2021. After all, it’s been a tough year — and having patience in the pandemic is no small feat.

But even though we are entering a new year, unfortunately, the pandemic itself doesn’t recognize dates on a calendar. It’s still here, along with the all-encompassing changes it brought with it.

If you’re like most, you’re doubtless growing impatient with the situation. In fact, you were probably tired of it a long, long time ago.

The arrival of effective vaccines for the coronavirus brings hope. Glimmers of change are on the horizon. How long do I have to practice being patient, you may wonder. You may question your ability to outlast these tough times. You’re ready to leap back into normalcy.

But common sense tells you that you need to hang in a bit longer while vaccines are administered and the harsh winter season passes. How can do you do this? Here are a few tips.

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Many Americans are now working from home as a result of the COVID pandemic. Of course, telecommuting isn’t new. But its quick rise as a result of the coronavirus has led many people to realize just how much easier it is to graze compared to when they’re in an office setting.

And while it’s easy to forage for sweets or other treats, it can be hard to stop. Overeating while working from home, has become a new issue. Fortunately, you can take proactive steps toward curbing this tendency.

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We’re several months into the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. By now, most of us expected that our lives would have returned to pre-pandemic normalcy. No one wanted to think that cases would still be rising, and states would be returning to lockdown this far into it.

Changing medical advice and economic worries are adding to the uncertainty. With all of this going on, it’s quite easy to feel overwhelmed. You may even find yourself feeling depressed and anxious.

Nevertheless, it is possible to strengthen your resilience during a pandemic to help carry you through this trying time.

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Have months of social distancing started to take their emotional toll on you? The chances are that it only took a week or two for you to find that you greatly missed your friends and social interactions and routines.

Social distancing has gone on longer than most of us likely expected it to. This experience brings challenges for even the most introverted personalities. Those who were already struggling with loneliness before the pandemic began may be feeling its effects even more so.

If you find yourself in this situation, take heart. You can take steps to feel better.

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When you’re struggling with depression, even the thought of trying to get help can feel overwhelming. You’re already having a hard time with energy and coping with everyday tasks. Adding more appointments to your schedule can seem like too much. You may have sought treatment in the past but didn’t find the help you wanted.

Unfortunately, as with many illnesses, depression only gets worse if left untreated. In the vast majority of cases, it’s not going to get better on its own.

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Depression has many symptoms: fatigue, sadness, unrelenting sadness, withdrawal from friends and family, and sleep issues, to name a few. Add these all together, and it’s easy to see how depression can also create creative blocks and self-doubt in those who suffer from it.

You can also lose interest in things you formerly enjoyed when you’re depressed. Even if you want to keep creating, this unwanted loss of interest can also cause creative blocks. And creativity doesn’t just include visual, musical, and literary arts. All of us use creativity to navigate and enjoy our life and its challenges.

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to help overcome creative blocks and self-doubt.

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When the sun goes to bed early, and the white snow turns grungy gray, your mood may follow suit. As a result, knowing how to let winter inspire you might seem like a massive feat.

As the season goes on (and on and on, depending on where you live), the winter doldrums can set in. Your spirit may feel as heavy as do the weight of bulky coats, boots, and scarves wrapped around your body. Maybe you’d like to hibernate to miss it all and wake up when the grass is green again.

The season can have positives, however. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of them. If you’re feeling dreary and uninspired about life in the winter, consider some of these ideas to reignite your inner glow.

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Ask anyone who has lived in a large metropolitan area, and they’ll tell you it’s possible to feel alone in a crowd. Amplify the crowd into a global online mob scene, and it gives a new perspective on the meaning of “being connected.”

Modern technology has more than its share of benefits. To discuss the downside of these developments is not the same as saying it’s all bad. What matters, for the betterment of human interaction, is a clearer understanding of its impact.

With that said, here’s a post about why social media has adverse effects, and how we can navigate this unique situation.

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If you’re like most people, then you’ve probably heard about how self-care is essential and that you should do it.

However, the benefits of self-care are not always that obvious. Of course, it sounds good, and taking better care of yourself only makes sense.

How can self-care truly improve your entire life?

Interestingly, when you effectively practice self-care several critical areas of your life fall into balance. When this happens, you find that both your emotional and physical well-being will significantly improve.

Consider then these four ways that self-care can help to improve your whole life.

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Depression can have a big impact on how you think, feel, and behave. Generally, most people think about depression either as something they can handle on their own or something they need help with.

Keep in mind, not all depression is the same. People handle certain types differently and some symptoms are more severe than others. Whatever type of depression you’re going through, though, it’s easy to feel hopeless and not know what to expect or where to turn.

Being able to hone in on specific symptoms can give you more answers about what you might be going through. And understanding the different types of depression and their signs can make it easier to find the right treatment.

Let’s learn more about some of the most common types of depression.

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Have you ever felt the need to step outside and get some fresh air during a stressful experience? Research has shown time and time again that spending time outside is great for both our physical and mental health.

If your mental health, in particular, has been struggling lately, you would likely benefit from spending less time in front of a screen and more time enjoying all that Mother Nature has to offer. Even just short bursts of time outside several times a week can greatly improve mood and energy levels.

Discover five ways the outdoors can benefit your mental health.

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