Most people don’t make the effort to observe their emotions as they’re happening. However, those who take time to recognize and process what they’re feeling are more likely to engage in healthy coping mechanisms and fully express themselves in challenging circumstances. By learning to own your feelings, you can...
Getting and staying sober is a lifelong process of learning, growth and acceptance. While you will undoubtedly add many joys to your life along the pathway to recovery, you’ll also discover some things you need to leave behind – one of which is negativity. Toxic influences such as old drinking and drug buddies...
Millions of people from coast to coast have spent the past few months self-isolating during the COVID-19 epidemic to prevent the spread of the deadly virus. Despite knowing you’re doing the right thing to keep yourself and others in your community healthy, you might be starting to feel lonely and missing activities such...
Isolating at home is an essential measure to prevent the spread of the highly infectious COVID-19 virus, protecting yourself and the most vulnerable members of your community. However, social distancing and the disruption of everyday routines can affect your mental health. During this Mental Health Month and throughout the...
This April marks the 28th annual Stress Awareness Month, which is falling at a uniquely opportune time, as most of us are experiencing higher-than-average levels of stress and anxiety due to coronavirus. If you’re observing self-quarantine and are struggling to cope with the resulting feelings of unease or worry,...
It’s likely you never thought too much about the need to preserve your mental health amid a global pandemic until recently. However, now this concern has come to the forefront for many of us, as we all grapple with the various ways the novel coronavirus has affected us. It’s...
The coronavirus outbreak put an abrupt end to the school year for many high school and college students. Widespread school closures in an attempt to slow the rapid transmission of COVID-19 have pushed many students into online classes, leading some people to nickname this “the lost school year.” Though nobody...
If you’re observing self-quarantine to keep yourself and others healthy during the coronavirus pandemic, you may have started to run out of ideas for staving off boredom. Before you give in and plop yourself in front of the TV for yet another uninspiring Netflix binge, consider these ideas for...
Amid all the news about the COVID-19 crisis, it’s easy to feel mentally and emotionally overwhelmed. And to top it off, the need for social distancing has probably prevented you from doing many of your normal self-care activities, such as going to the gym, attending your group therapy meetings...
Overcoming an addiction involves not only committing to significant lifestyle changes, but also thinking differently about yourself and your relationships. Negativity is one common characteristic of addiction. A form of psychotherapy called cognitive behavioral therapy has proven highly effective for addiction treatment because it helps people learn to change...
Our society commonly views the high school and college years as a time to experiment with alcohol and drugs. Countless popular movies and TV shows depict students going to all-night parties or on rowdy trips where there’s no adult supervision and reckless behavior is the norm. These cultural expectations may...
Drinking and drug use often begins recreationally. When socializing with friends, many young adults use alcohol or drugs to fit in or to experiment with the side effects of various substances. Some people have no problem knowing their limits and keeping their substance use casual. As a result, they...
