In order to regulate emotions, we need to exercise the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) part of the brain. The ACC is involved in emotion regulation, solving emotional and cognitive conflicts (for example, when you feel torn about what to feel or think), and detects performance errors. After someone goes through a traumatic event, the ACC … Continue reading Three Ways to Improve Emotion Regulation When You are Stressed
Tag: Pittsburgh Christian Counselor
Exercise, Yoga, and Qi Gong for Managing Anxiety and Depression
I'm going to be sharing with everyone some recent research findings on a few exercise-based therapies for depression and anxiety. Hopefully some of this will be useful. Mental health, which includes emotional, psychological, and social well-being, affects the way that a person acts, thinks, and feels. It is now well-established that mental health issues can … Continue reading Exercise, Yoga, and Qi Gong for Managing Anxiety and Depression
The First Step to Digital Detox
Digital detox is a great topic that many of my clients are asking about, so let's talk about it. Our phones and screens can cause significant distress because they are frequently grasping for our attention. When we turn to them, we can lose touch with reality and the importance of self-care and emotional well-being. About … Continue reading The First Step to Digital Detox
Build Better Habits: The difference between people who succeed and who fail
Have you read Atomic Habits by James Clear? I recommend this book and workbook to most of my clients. This information is a summary from both books. Towards the end of the article, there are actionable steps that you can take. My clients and I like to walk through the actionable steps together and discuss … Continue reading Build Better Habits: The difference between people who succeed and who fail
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
Will You Finish Stronger Today?
"Finish Stronger" Finishing stronger is one of my unspoken daily goals. It's not written on a to-do list, but it is in the back of my mind. At the end of the day, I feel satisfied with my accomplishments. "Finish Stronger" is a part of a growth mindset. I aim to finish my day or … Continue reading Will You Finish Stronger Today?
How to follow through when you’re not automatically good at something
I wasn't always good at weight lifting, I enjoyed it, and knew that it played an important role in my health, but it can be difficult to stick with something until you are good at it. Over the years, I stuck with it, and then I wouldn't, and then I'd get back into it... I … Continue reading How to follow through when you’re not automatically good at something
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
4 FAQ about Shannon’s Counseling Services
How participatory are you during sessions? I participate in every session. There are times where the client does most of the talking and they find it very helpful. There are also times when I talk more because I'm teaching or sharing valuable information. How long should I commit to being in therapy, at least in … Continue reading 4 FAQ about Shannon’s Counseling Services