The holidays can be a stressful time for many people. We often want to provide our family and friends gifts that they will love and appreciate. However, we are often busy with dealing with the stressors of everyday life and are not always sure…
Sleep is important. Getting enough sleep is a crucial part of living a healthy lifestyle. Lack of sleep is related to irritability, worry, and even depression. When we don’t get enough sleep we are also more likely to gain weight and suffer from hypertension.…
Getting enough sleep is a vital part of maintaining physical and mental health. In a recent blog post, we began discussing research reviewed by journalist Holly Pevzner in Psychology Today, which highlighted important facts about sleep. For example, studies show that physical pain hurts…
One in three adults in the United States report experiencing a lack of sleep, according to recent research by the National Sleep Foundation. Sleep is important. Insufficient sleep often relates to a myriad of physical and mental health issues such as weight gain, hypertension, difficulty…
Many studies show the mental health benefits of physical exercise. However, psychiatrists rarely recommend that their patients do it. Why is that? In an article in Medscape, Nancy A. Melville discussed recent…
When we think of the benefits of physical activity, we usually think of building strength, building cardiovascular health, and of course, losing weight. However, physical activity is associated with several benefits to mental health. Physical activity releases important neurotransmitters (e.g. serotonin), it helps normalize…
The food we eat impacts not only our physical well-being but also our mental well-being. Our food is our body’s fuel and it contributes to how our mind and our body function in our daily life. Stay Hydrated! Drink at least 8 glasses of…
Far too often, addiction is viewed as a morale failing, or as a flaw in one’s character. Addiction is stigmatized and those who suffer from it are often criminalized and or relegated to the outskirts of society. However, journalist Johann Hari, advocates for a…
In life, there are often times when you need to have uncomfortable conversations. Assertively communicating in a way that is clear and direct is one of the most effective ways of minimizing conflict, preventing misunderstandings, and creating a positive environment. When you practice assertive communication,…
We often spend a great deal of time and energy avoiding negative emotions. Negative emotions feel uncomfortable and avoiding them provides us with short-term relief. However, if we avoid situations that make us uncomfortable we rob ourselves of important life experiences. For example, if social…
Often times, when faced with a negative emotion our initial impulse is to change our behavior in order to change the way we feel. In general, this strategy helps to keep us healthy and safe. For example, if we feel unwelcome or unsafe in a…
Even though negative emotions are unpleasant, it is important that we push ourselves to face them. Each time we face an uncomfortable situation it becomes less challenging. Likewise, each time we avoid a stressful situation, the situation becomes more and more overwhelming in our mind.…