The Age of Social Media: Searching for Personal Connections in a Disconnected World

Is it possible for a platform to do exactly the opposite of what it’s marketed to do?

It sure feels that way sometimes.

Maybe you’ve experienced this for yourself. Perhaps you tried to reach out on social media and were disappointed by the outcome. Afterward, you began to second guess this whole idea of making personal connections on social media.

The experience may have left you jaded and wondering if you’re even using the platform correctly.

The truth is that making a genuine connection via social media isn’t impossible, but it can be a challenge.

Here’s why.

CouplesPathways To WellnessMarch 12, 2018

PTSD and Its Unique Challenges for Military Families

Imagine feeling extreme distress when…

…you’re suddenly confronted with a combat scene as you’re watching a show.

…you find yourself in a crowd at a grocery store, an amusement park, or a party with friends and family.

…you hear the sound of firecrackers going off during a holiday celebration.

…you’re in unfamiliar surroundings with a lack of open areas.

Imagine the hypervigilance, the panic, your shallow breath, and beads of sweat forming on your forehead. You turn everywhere, check everything and everyone… until you see an obscure figure in the crowd or on the roof of a building.

Imagine yourself diving to the ground, trying to find cover… only to suddenly realize, you’re not in combat anymore. Nobody is shooting at you. Nobody is threatening your life.

The war is over! But only on the outside.

Inside, you carry deep scars that never seem to heal.

That is what it feels like to be a combat veteran suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). That is the legacy of an increasing number of soldiers.

But they are not the only ones that suffer. Their dependents (military families) are impacted as well.

TraumaPathways To WellnessFebruary 27, 2018

Celebrate With the One You Love – 5 Romantic Valentine’s Day Ideas

It’s easy to take the one you love for granted.

In fact, many couples forego celebrating Valentine’s Day altogether.

But if you’re ready to spice things up a bit, try opening up to the idea of romance this season.

Although Valentine’s Day is often pegged as a holiday filled to the brim with obligatory expressions of love, go against the flow. You might not even need to try something new. Simply approach it in a new way.

The key is to couple authenticity and creativity when it comes to celebrating the one you love.

Here are five ideas to get you started.

CouplesPathways To WellnessFebruary 13, 2018

The Art and Science of Love: 7 Benefits of Gottman’s Renowned Couples Workshop

When it comes to understanding the art and science of love, we all have the opportunity to be students.

However, Drs. John and Julie Gottman are undoubtedly two of the best students/researchers/teachers on the planet when it comes to this topic.

It’s a fact that every couple will leave a Gottman Couples Workshop with their own unique takeaway. Though, the Gottmans have a few “favorites”… nuggets of wisdom that everyone tends to talk about.

Here are some of those “favorites” that will benefit any relationship.

CouplesPathways To WellnessFebruary 6, 2018

The Impact of Divorce on Your Children: Different Ages Are Affected in Distinct Ways

Divorce isn’t a “one size fits all” life event, especially for any children involved.

Because every person handles stress in a different way, the impact of divorce is both unique and long-lasting for adults and children alike.

It’s a common misconception that children under the age of five don’t feel the impact of divorce. This notion couldn’t be further from the truth. From infancy clear into young adulthood, divorce can cause a great upheaval in children’s lives.

Yet, while it disturbs them all, the turmoil affect varying ages in distinct ways.

What are the differences? Let’s consider four general age groups.

FamilyPathways To WellnessJanuary 23, 2018

Out With the Old, In With the New – When Is It Really Considered a Rebound?

Revenge and having a rebound often walk hand in hand.

Ending the journey of a relationship can be very difficult, to say the least. So, some of us resort to other means of soothing the pain—like jumping into a temporary relationship for a reprieve.

But is it just temporary or could it be more?

And how do you really know if your new relationship is simply moving on or if it’s just a rebound?

Here’s how.

CouplesPathways To WellnessJanuary 18, 2018

Feel Like Your World Is Closing in on You? – 5 Powerful Tips to Stop an Anxiety Attack

The pounding in your chest, shallow breathing, racing heartbeat—it all happens so quickly.

Before you know it, you’re facing a full-blown anxiety attack.

But, what if you could stop an anxiety attack before it ever happened?

The good news is that there are proven methods to actually stop an anxiety attack in its tracks.

One of the biggest keys to managing anxiety is understanding what it actually does to your body. Understanding this is like gaining an inside peek at your enemies battle plans.

Here are five helpful ways to use that insight to combat anxiety.

AnxietyPathways To WellnessDecember 29, 2017

Creating a Family Legacy: How Shared Values Deepen Family Bonds

Without even knowing it, parents pass on a family legacy to their children—good or bad.

It’s part of the human heritage and part of belonging to a family.

One fundamental aspect of creating a family legacy is that it has a unique way of drawing the family unit together. Not only does it strengthen the bonds between each family member, but it also gives children a foundation on which to build their own lives. And in turn, create a legacy for their own family.

How exactly is this accomplished?

Through shared values.

FamilyPathways To WellnessDecember 13, 2017

Good Parenting: 7 Tips for Promoting a Healthy Parent-Child Relationship

Nothing is more unique than a parent-child relationship.

In fact, it’s one of the most influential relationships in our lives.

So as parents, how do you make it the best experience possible for both you and your children?

Parenting SupportPathways To WellnessDecember 1, 2017

Creating Peace: 3 Conflict Regulating and Stress Management Strategies

In every relationship, whether personal or professional, two main goals should exist:

Manage the conflict
Maintain the connection

Granted, both are easier said than done, but you can accomplish them successfully with the right stress management strategies.

After all, stress is often the culprit when it comes to creating problems. So, when you understand how to manage the stress in your life, you tend to experience more peace and less conflict.

Stress management isn’t complicated. Rather, it has a lot to do with where you focus.

So, how do you implement stress management strategies in your own life?

AnxietyPathways To WellnessNovember 27, 2017

Transition to Parenthood: How the Arrival of a Baby Affects Your Relationship

From best friends to lovers to mom and dad, the transition to parenthood is a journey filled with excitement.

Along the way, there are bound to be some changes between you and your partner.

So, what can you expect from your relationship as the two of you transition to parenthood?

Pathways To WellnessNovember 21, 2017

How to Transition from Living Separately to Living with The One You Love (Without Conflict or Losing Your Excitement For Each Other)

Living separately will soon be a thing of your past. You’re taking the leap. You and your partner are going to move in together.

You’re probably both excited and nervous about your new venture, right?

CouplesPathways To WellnessSeptember 21, 2017

Unique Wedding Ideas That Don’t Break the Bank

Unique wedding ideas aren’t hard to come by in this DIY era with Pinterest leading the way.

What IS hard to come by are unique wedding ideas that won’t break the bank.

You’ll be happy to know that I’ve rounded up a few inexpensive ideas for your special day.

CouplesPathways To WellnessAugust 17, 2017

Are You Planning a Wedding or a Marriage?

Planning a wedding can take a lot of your time and energy.

Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in the hustle of bustle of it all and forget that you’re also preparing for a marriage.

Aside from the flowers and guests, you and your fiancé are getting ready to spend the rest of your lives figuring marriage out together. While “forever” is indeed a very long time to figure out this whole marriage thing, wouldn’t it be nice if the two of you had a jumpstart? Lucky for you there is such a thing — premarital counseling.

CouplesPathways To WellnessAugust 17, 2017

How Parents and Children Can Effectively Deal with Bullies

Have you had to deal with bullies at some point in your life?

While most of us have experienced some type of bullying, it’s definitely not a pain we would want our own children to endure.

The reality is that bullying has become a widespread problem. It affects both genders and children of all ages. While there are many positive anti-bullying programs currently at work, how to deal with bullies begins at home.

Parenting SupportPathways To WellnessJuly 17, 2017

Everyone Has Advice About Babies! — Separate the Myths from the Facts

Everyone has an opinion. And they just love to give advice. Not just any advice. We’re talking about unsolicited and often questionable advice. This goes double in the social media age. And triple when it comes to advice about babies.

How do you separate the myths from the facts?

FamilyPathways To WellnessJuly 10, 2017

New Love or On the Rebound? What Are the Signs You’re Ready to Try Again?

After your last serious love relationship, did you jump on the rebound train for a while?

Lately, though, you’ve been feeling a little dissatisfied and have begun to miss the embrace of a serious relationship.

CouplesPathways To WellnessJune 29, 2017

An Accidental Affair: Can It Really Happen? If So, How?

The word “accidental” denotes things that happen unexpectedly, actions that were not planned.

Can this expression rightly be applied to an affair?

CouplesPathways To WellnessJune 19, 2017

Dating Online –- Are You Being Lazy or Smart?

Dating online has become increasingly popular over the past few years.

While still a fairly new idea, it’s not taken much time to attract a lot of attention. It used to market only to a certain stereotype, but now online dating targets anyone with an email address.

For good reason, too.

CouplesPathways To WellnessJune 12, 2017

Is Your Child with ADHD Heading for College? Take These Steps to Help Them Succeed

College can be a memorable time for both parents and children. You might be caught between feeling proud and anxious about sending your child with ADHD to college. Your child, on the other hand, might be overflowing with excitement at this new and independent experience.

Parenting SupportPathways To WellnessJune 2, 2017

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