My two intentions for writing this article are one, to give trauma survivors a couple of body-based interventions to release themselves from the effects of trauma, and two, to share with you that you can purchase this valuable information for yourself. These train your brain techniques to heal trauma and build resiliency were developed by … Continue reading Retrain Your Brain and Release Yourself from the Effects of Trauma
Category: Coping Skills
Distress Tolerance Coping Skills (DBT)
What is Distress tolerance? Many people try to cope by getting into behaviors that provide relief, but the behaviors can be unhelpful or harmful. Examples of ineffective coping behaviors are drug and alcohol use, gambling, spending money, overeating, and self-injury. We can learn distress tolerance skills to replace the ineffective coping behaviors in order to … Continue reading Distress Tolerance Coping Skills (DBT)
Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain
Lifestyle habits can have a strong influence on your amygdala. If you engage in regular aerobic exercise, especially exercise that uses large muscle groups, the positive effects on both your amygdala and your cortex can help improve your mood. Regular aerobic exercise can also improve your brain's neuroplasticity, making both your amygdala and your cortex … Continue reading Exercise, Sleep, and Anxiety: Rewire your brain
The Anxious Brain, Worry Time, Disempowering Thoughts, and Anxiety Management
Living with anxiety can be challenging and overwhelming. In this article, you will learn about the anxious brain, why it assumes the worst, and examples of the kinds of thoughts that we have when we are feeling anxious. Statements to cope with the emotion itself. The difference between negative thoughts and disempowering ones. Lastly, small … Continue reading The Anxious Brain, Worry Time, Disempowering Thoughts, and Anxiety Management
Get Through Life’s Difficult Transitions
Transition means change, and change is constant. When life asks us to transition, it is asking us to reexamine our current situation, and then to grow. We must continue to develop and grow. Transitions are challenging to us, but are also beneficial. Adjusting to change can be highly stressful and sometimes we experience symptoms of … Continue reading Get Through Life’s Difficult Transitions
Everyday Mental Health Rituals
Check out this list of supportive mental health rituals. Are you already doing any of these? If these are new to you, choose any two and begin to add them into your daily routine. While completing a ritual, take a mindfulness approach and practice being aware and non-judgmental in the present moment. Acknowledge and absorb … Continue reading Everyday Mental Health Rituals
Why I Became a Christian Counselor (and not an engineer)
I became a professional Christian counselor because God has created me with the characteristics and talents that it takes to be a great counselor. I recognized these characteristics when I was a teenager, as friends would often come to me for support or advice. My friends felt that I was a good listener and a … Continue reading Why I Became a Christian Counselor (and not an engineer)
Gardening Improves Mental Health
Some people love gardening, they love getting in the dirt, being outside, the cultivating, and the rewards. Our ancestors' ancestors' succeeded through working the land. That positive behavior and impact on our reward systems is there and ready to be used. Even for novice gardeners, gardening improves mental health. Research reflects that there's a possible … Continue reading Gardening Improves Mental Health
Cultivate a Positive Mindset with Affirmations and Quotes
Find one that speaks to you, write it down, and place it somewhere that you will read it. A positive mindset leads to positive results. "The positive thinker sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible." Winston Churchill You got this. Do what you love and love what you do. Lose yourself in … Continue reading Cultivate a Positive Mindset with Affirmations and Quotes
Painted Rocks for Inspiration and Positivity
Moraine State Park Bike Path Have you ever noticed painted rocks with nice messages on your walk, hike or at the park? The idea behind painting rocks and leaving them about in nature is for people to find them and to feel inspired or to receive a positive reminder. The person who finds a rock … Continue reading Painted Rocks for Inspiration and Positivity