Dealing With Driving Anxiety
While winter can make us want to hibernate and stay home, there are days when we still must get out, run errands, and travel. In the Midwest, that means being prepared to drive on snowy and icy roads. Despite many of us being used to driving in the winter, drivers can still feel anxiety, dread, or even full-on panic at the prospect of driving in such conditions – or just driving in general, no matter the weather. For many who’ve been in car accidents or with an anxiety disorder, those feelings of dread and panic can be exacerbated.Read More
How to Make Mental Health Resolutions Stick
This time of year, many people find themselves setting resolutions for different aspects of their lives, including goals related to improving their mental health. By following a few key strategies, you can increase your chances of success and make meaningful progress towards better mental health in this next year.Read More
Starting the New Year Slow
Winter is the season of stillness. We are often under a constant barrage of “new year, new me” messaging. The idea of rebuilding ourselves and the pressure to make big changes is everywhere. This sense of "newness" feels contrary in a season where we should be enjoying the quiet and stillness of winter and the togetherness of the holidays.Read More
Maintain Healthy Boundaries This Holiday By Learning to Say “No”
Personal boundaries are the limits and rules we set for ourselves within relationships. A person with healthy boundaries can say “no” when they want and still maintain close, honest, positive relationships. Healthy boundaries are especially important during high-stress times like the holiday season. To help you establish and maintain your own boundaries this year, try these helpful tips to care for yourself while also nurturing your relationships.Read More
Gale's Story - An Open Mind to Foster Care
Giving back to her community has always been a major factor in Gale’s life, but the question was how could she make the most meaningful impact? After experiencing a personal loss, her question was answered as she felt called to open her heart and home to foster care.Read More
Here and Now: A Powerful Stranger
The end of the year can be comforting in its familiarity. Clustered with moments of tradition, we often have anchors that connect us to the past. It is so easy to not fully notice life when we have been with the person, done this action, had this routine so many times before. Treating each moment of “here” as a powerful stranger has piqued my interest and sharpened my attention.Read More
The Impacts of a Gratitude Practice
Recently, I posed the question, “In what ways has gratitude impacted your life?” to this group. Their answers were very similar and profound, and I wanted to share their insights on how a gratitude practice can impact your life.Read More
20 Holistic Healing Lessons for Your Mental Health Journey
Every person’s journey is different, especially when it comes to finding personal health and well-being. These holistic lessons below are helpful reminders when your mindset may be struggling, when you're having difficulty finding positive momentum forward, and needing to change your perspective.Read More
The “Why” Behind Your Child’s Behaviors
When you see or experience a child or teen acting out, what is often your first thought? For most, that first reactionary thought is not one of empathy nor is it thinking about the deeper meaning behind the behavior. If you take a step back and search to understand why a child may be having a certain “undesirable” attitude or outburst, it can solve the problem in a faster, friendlier, and less stressful way.Read More
A Defense of Winter and the Custom of "Hygge"
A year ago, I came across the Danish custom of “hygge” (pronounced “hoo-gah”). “Hygge” doesn’t have an exact translation in English. According to the New York Times article where I first came across the term, a close translation is “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” The feelings I experience in winter of safety, comfort, and community are in line with hygge.Read More