Category Archives: Mental Health

Nov16

Improve Your Mental Health Today With These Steps

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Improve Your Mental Health Today With These Steps

If you feel as though your mental health isn’t as good as it once was, then you are not alone. Due to the pandemic, many people are in the same situation as you right now, but there are things that you can do to try and turn things around. Take a look below to find out more:

Treat Yourself with Respect:

It is so important that you treat yourself with both kindness and respect. Make time for your hobbies and any favorite projects that you might have. This is the best way for you to try and broaden your horizon and it will also help you to focus on yourself more. Do a crossword puzzle, try and start your own vegetable garden, or sign up for dance lessons. It doesn’t matter what you do, as long as you do something that makes you happy. If you can focus on the way that certain things make you feel, it’ll make it easier to seek out those enjoyable activities in the future.

Take Care of your Body:

If you want to be healthier, then you can start by drinking plenty of water. You also need to make sure that you exercise, as this can help improve your mood. If you don’t feel like you sleep enough, then you need to change this if possible. Lack of sleep can easily contribute to high levels of depression, especially if you are younger.

Surround yourself with Great People:

People who have strong social connections tend to be happier and healthier than those who do not have a support network at all. Make plans with your friends and seek out any activities where you might meet new people. If you can do this, then you will soon find your social circle expanding. This will help to boost your mental health more than you realize.

Deal with Stress and Find Ways to Relax:

You will never eliminate stress fully, but you can find new ways to deal with it. Try and spend some time with your pet or create a journal as this will help you to deal with your negative thoughts. Once a day, smile and see the humor in your life. Research has shown that laughter can boost your immune system and that it can also relax your body as well as reduce stress. You can also learn from the Eva Carlston Academy about ways to deal with stress through artistic expression, something which is very popular today.

Quiet your Mind:

Mindfulness, meditation, or prayer is a very good way for you to unwind and relax, not to mention that it can also improve your state of mind and your emotional outlook. Research has shown that meditation can help you to feel calm and more connected to yourself.

Break up the Monotony:

Routines can help you to be more efficient in the day to day happenings of your life. However, sometimes it does help to change things up. You can try something as small as altering your jogging route or as big as planning a road trip. Either way, if you focus on changing things up, then you will soon find that it is easier than ever for you to support your mental health.

Seek Help:

Seeking help is a sign of strength and not a weakness at all. It is so important that you remember that you are not alone, and that people will always be there to help you if you need it. If you don’t feel as though you have anyone who you can talk to, then you should know that there are people online who specialize in helping those who are feeling down. If you feel like seeking counsel online isn’t enough for the problems you are facing, facilities like borden cottage (or similar programs in your local area) can be most helpful. Treatment centers offer a reprieve from your daily life so that you can focus on the most important thing, getting better.

If you have health issues, then make sure that you speak to your doctor. Your doctor will also be able to give recommendations for therapists to help as you navigate your illness. If you have a terminal illness, it may benefit you to seek support from Serenity Hospice Care. They can provide guidance and assistance with managing symptoms and addressing emotional needs. Seeking this type of support early on can help you and your loved ones prepare and cope with the challenges ahead.

The mental health treatment cost can be something that makes people avoid seeking help altogether. If finances are a factor in whether you get help or not, speak to your doctor and insurance for more viable options. When there is a will, there’s a way and it is so important to put yourself first if you are struggling.

Say No to People:

Sometimes the best thing that you can do for your mental health, is just say no. If you can say no to people who are asking too much from you or when you are just too tired, then this will help you to preserve your mental energy. It will also help you to feel more confident and it will increase your self-worth. If you say yes to people who always ask something of you, then you may find that your mental and physical energy ends up being drained. Saying no can be difficult, but if you want to start valuing your own time, then it is absolutely crucial.

Your mental health should be as much of a priority as your physical health and you can get started today with the tips above.

Featured Image By: Pexels

Nov9

Making Time For Me Time

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Making Time For Me Time

Hello! I am self employed and have been running two businesses for over half a decade now. Of course, I love my jobs so much but anyone who is their own boss can tell you that it can be highly stressful – especially because if you don’t work, you don’t get paid. Two businesses means a demanding schedule with weeks feeling too long and the weekends, sadly, not being long enough!

I never really realize how much I push myself for my jobs until something as small as the common cold knocks me completely on my ass. On Halloween day, I woke up with an unbearable cold and it was a struggle to get out of bed. Thankfully, a scary movie day was on the agenda so not much movement was required but I had to call off of work on Monday, which is something that I rarely do.

For most people, a cold is something that they can usually still function through but for me, it was the polar opposite. This was pretty alarming to me and I knew that it was related to just how hard that I have been working for what feels like forever. Whenever I fall sick, I always tell myself that I am going to be more lenient with giving myself a day off if I need it. While it never happens, I actually mean it this time lol.

I will be taking time off for Thanksgiving and Christmas and in the new year, I am making it a resolution to give myself permission to give myself a break. This completely goes against my work ethic but I have now realized how important it is to give myself a mental and physical break from my work. I wish that meant lavish vacations to Paris but, in reality, it will be taking an afternoon off to get my nails done or spending a day playing Animal Crossing when I feel myself getting run down.

This, of course, won’t be a monthly thing but pushing through exhaustion isn’t healthy and I know that the next time I fall ill for days on end, I will be wishing that I gave myself a break. Chill evenings with TV and a face mask is great but it just isn’t enough after an uber busy work week and jam packed weekend.

My normal self care involves pampering of some kind but I have come to realize that it is so much more than that. I now know that a more effective form of self care for me would be being less hard on myself and allowing for a day of rest as needed. It will be difficult because it goes against everything that my brain is wired to think. However, I can’t have another half decade of success in my businesses without it!

What is your method of self care? How do you make time for you with a demanding schedule? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Easy Ways To Start Elevating Your Confidence

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Easy Ways To Start Elevating Your Confidence

If you haven’t been feeling like yourself recently, you aren’t alone. In fact, 85% of adults deal with low-self esteem or confidence in their daily lives. While these figures are high, they are hardly surprising due to the fact that there are so many different factors that can inhibit our confidence. This could include societal pressures, the expectations of our peers or loved ones, or even a setback at work.

While so much of our confidence is impacted by external forces, it’s important to remember that true confidence comes from within. Furthermore, when you start to feel good about yourself, confidence will come naturally as you will no longer care about what other people may think. That being said, confidence is a lifelong journey – it’s not something that you can obtain overnight.

So, if you’ve decided that it’s time to get your confidence back, here are some top tips to get you started:

Start taking better care of yourself:

Our confidence levels are often greatly impacted by how we look (or rather, the way we feel about how we look). While it’s important to remember that beauty comes in many different shapes and sizes, taking better care of yourself can help you look and feel better in your daily life. For example, putting together a beauty routine can help to clear your skin. Additionally, making the most of dental services available to you can help you learn to love your smile once again, meaning that it will be impossible to keep a grin off of your face.

Start working out:

Exercising more frequently is a great way to boost your body confidence. However, it’s important that you don’t work out with the intention to lose weight but rather to change your relationship with your body for the better. To achieve this goal, you should not base your success on the scale or the size of clothing you are wearing but on your capabilities. If you were to start running every day, set yourself the goal of running a bit further each day and note how your body changes as you get stronger, faster, and more capable. Setting yourself small fitness goals will also help boost your confidence as they’ll show you that you can achieve whatever you set your mind to.

Take a break from social media:

In a world where we spend so much time on our phones, it’s no wonder that social media can significantly impact our confidence. Social media constantly encourages us to compare ourselves to others, whether that’s due to the fact that every picture that your friends post looks perfect or they get a lot more likes on their latest upload than we do. If you want to challenge how you perceive yourself, it’s time to give yourself a break from the socials. Log out, deactivate, or even delete the apps from your phone, if only temporarily. When you return, you should ensure that you unfollow (or mute) any accounts that do not make you feel good about yourself.

As mentioned above, confidence is a lifelong journey and the tips above can help you get started on the right foot!

Featured Image By: Jordan Donaldson | @jordi.d on Unsplash

Aug17

Taking Care Of You, Too

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Taking Care Of You, Too

Between work, cooking, maintaining your household, and social engagements, making time for you can feel impossible. This can lead to burnout, break downs, and even more stress! When you are starting to feel the side effects of a constantly on the go lifestyle, it’s important to take a step back rather than push yourself harder. Today, we are going to look at a few simple things that can be done to make sure you are taking care of you, too. Let’s get to it:

Beauty Sleep:

A restful night of sleep is so crucial in so many ways. Not only does getting your full eight hours give your body time to rest and heal, but you will feel so much more active and alert every morning. It’s nice to start your day with some pep in your step rather than dragging your feet just to get out of bed. What is preventing you from getting a good night’s sleep and what can you do to improve it? Perhaps, your bedroom needs to be a more soothing place to lay your head after a long day, which can be achieved with these ideas.

Schedule Appointments:

While scheduling appointments for various things like the eye doctor, dentist, and general practitioners isn’t the most fun thing, it will help keep you feeling your best and that’s what is important. A professional dental lab in your area is a great place to start and don’t forget to tend to your mental health, too. An appointment with a counselor or therapist can be especially beneficial if you have been feeling overwhelmed, overworked, and over stressed as of late.

What Does Self Care Mean To You?

Self care won’t look the same for everyone and that’s okay! I, personally, love doing a face mask after a long day at work to unwind but that might not work for you. So what does self care mean to you? Is it going to the gym? Going on a long hike? Buying yourself some beautiful flowers for your kitchen table? Once you narrow down what makes you destress, you will know what options are best to turn to when you are feeling some type of way.

Positivity, Please:

Thinking positive thoughts is so important even if you aren’t feeling very positive. Do you have a mantra that you like to repeat to yourself? What about some positive affirmations on sticky notes to look at throughout the day? What’s that old saying – fake it till you make it? Sometimes you just have to give yourself the mental push for good vibes and, eventually, your positive outlook will become second nature.

Doing for others is an amazing thing but don’t forget to do for yourself, too! ❤

Aug13

Chilling Out

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Chilling Out

Hello! These past few weekends for Johnny and I have been nice and relaxing which is a welcome change of pace after several super busy weekends in a row. I definitely know that I was feeling the effects of being on the move nonstop because I felt so exhausted throughout my work week. My job is quite mentally demanding so this on top of tired made me feel drained.

While I love going out and about with Johnny, a lot of my favorite things can be done just Chilling Out in our apartment. Like the following:

Pampering Party:

Pampering myself after a long day at work always makes me feel better. This means bubble baths, face masks, getting my nails done, and painting my toe nails. Johnny also loves to have his nails painted so I’ll usually do his fingers and toes too while the nail polish is out. Nothing pleases me more than an evening at the nail salon or testing out a new skin care product and it is a great midweek refresher until the weekend rolls around. A Pampering Party is my favorite form of self care and it gives me something to look forward to for once I get home.

Fun & Games:

Super intense video games are not relaxing to me in the slightest even though I love them. However, Pokemon Snap and Animal Crossing never fail to put me in the chill zone. Both games for the Nintendo Switch are insanely cute, laid back, and fairly mindless. They are also games that Johnny and I enjoy a lot so we play them often when we need some time to unwind. Our new hobby has been listening to The Last Podcast On The Left together and we will normally play Pokemon Snap or Animal Crossing while we have an episode on.

Soak Up The Sun:

I have been making great use of the pool at my apartment community this summer and it feels nice to be in the water and catch some rays in the evening. It is also the best time to go since it is not as crowded which makes it even more relaxing! Our apartment gets incredibly hot in the summer so I love having a pool two minutes away to cool off in. It’s hard to get in a chill set of mind when you’re sweating profusely lol!

Book Club:

Despite pretty much only reading horror and thriller novels, reading always helps me to relax and I try to finish a book at least every three weeks. Right now, I have been working on Candide by Voltaire which I have really been enjoying. Next on deck is a suspense novel by Megan Miranda called Such A Quiet Place. Nothing is better than settling in with a good book and I get transported to the chill zone as soon as I read one page.

It’s important to know what helps you to relax when you are feeling tired or stressed and the above are all surefire ways to unwind for me. Talk about an instant chill pill!

How do you like to relax? What makes you feel stressed? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Aug12

4 Life Upgrades That Work Wonders

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4 Life Upgrades That Work Wonders

Learning to upgrade your life can take many different forms. You could learn how to improve your mindset or start exercising more. The general consensus is that if you want to upgrade your life, it’s all about building good habits and, more importantly, having the discipline to practice them every single day. So with this in mind, what does it take to upgrade your life using the right habits?

Take Pride in Your Surroundings:

Pride is something that doesn’t come before a fall, provided we take pride in the things we know we’ve worked hard on. For example, if you spent a long time working for your home, that notion of being proud is a great thing, and it is a reminder that you put your mind, body, and soul into something that will reap dividends in years to come. But if you don’t have pride in your surroundings, your home can do with simple upgrades. For example, having a Renewal by Andersen window replacement can give you a simple way to have a window to the world. The simple upgrades around the home can evoke that feeling of being house proud.

Get Outside:

One of the benefits of opening up the windows to the world is that you will get more sunlight, and getting outside is so important for many reasons. It can reset your circadian rhythm, give you that all-important Vitamin D, and it can also improve your focus and your mental health. When you are out in the sun breathing in the fresh air, it can help you to refocus your life and is one of the simplest ways for you to feel healthier almost instantly. If you double this up with an exercise routine outdoors, you are giving yourself additional benefits.

Managing Your Time:

Upgrading your life is not about setting a million challenges for yourself, but is about making sure that you meet each goal one day at a time. One of the best ways to upgrade your life is to set challenges but make sure that you learn to prioritize and allot the relevant time you need to complete everything necessary. We all feel like we do not have the time to do everything we want, especially when it comes to self-care. This is why learning to manage our time effectively is important, because it gives us the opportunity to complete the tasks we want and feel more accomplished.

Stop Fearing Failure:

Everybody fails, it is a fact of life. Failure is the key to success, and while failure feels terrible at the time, it is only fleeting. It gives us the greatest lesson of all, the lesson of resilience. And if you are looking to upgrade your life, you’ve got to look at the people you admire and see how many times they actually failed. They failed more than you think! As soon as you learn to embrace this failure, you will learn to keep working in spite of it which will guarantee you better results.

Ready, set, upgrade your life with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Pixabay

Aug10

Level Up: Improve Your Lifestyle & Mindset In 2021

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Level Up: Improve Your Lifestyle & Mindset In 2021

Do you ever feel like you are stagnating in life? Do you want more out of your daily routine but don’t know where to start? It is time for a change. This blog post will help guide you through the process of improving your lifestyle and mindset as we draw closer to another new year:

Eliminate Instant Gratification:

The phrase ‘instant gratification’ is so prevalent in society that you don’t even recognize it, so you’re quick to want the short term payoff. But, what would happen if you slowed down, took your time with life, and savored every moment? Start living your life intentionally this year by being mindful of what matters to you the most in all areas- health, relationships, work, money. Don’t let instant gratification get the better of you. Instead, take time to think about all of the wonderful things in your life.

Reduce Codependency:

Codependency is a natural part of life and healthy relationships are full of it. But too much dependency can be damaging, especially if you get used to relying on others for everything in your life. The best way to avoid codependency is by taking care of you first, before thinking about others (or even worse, always putting them first). This shift will not only benefit you but your loved ones, as well.

Even if it’s just for a few minutes every day or week, spend some time alone. The time spent alone does not need to be boring; it can be fun and fulfilling. For example, you can care for your pet and give him his veterinarian prescriptions treatment. Afterwards, a trip to the park is definitely in order!

Exercise:

What is your exercise routine? What do you think it takes to be fit and healthy? Exercise has a significant impact on your quality of life. Exercise benefits include increased muscle tone, improved cardiovascular health, weight loss, and decreased stress levels. Exercising can also help improve your mood by releasing endorphins into the bloodstream.

Don’t Take Things Personally:

The first step to change your mindset is not taking things personally. It also helps to have a positive outlook on life, no matter what you face. To get there, start by not taking anything too seriously and avoid over-thinking everything that happens to you. Unfortunately, it’s so easy to take loved ones’ actions personally and get frustrated or even angry with them. However, learn how to let things go when this happens by detaching from your feelings and knowing that it isn’t about you.

Eliminate Distractions:

The first step to a better life is eliminating distractions. Frequently, you get so caught up in the day-to-day that you don’t notice how much time and effort your routine is costing you. To eliminate distractions, try minimizing your time on social media accounts. When you delete or limit these distractions from your life, you have more time to do other things like tending to your own self care.

Successful people don’t just reach their goals, they exceed them. So can you! Set higher standards for yourself and use the tips in this article to achieve those increased expectations. The last essential direction of succeeding is never to forget to have fun! You should enjoy life so go out there and take on the world!

Featured Image By: Los Muertos Crew from Pexels

Aug5

Hang Ten

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Hang Ten

Hello! I have been in amazing spirits as of late thanks to a welcome change at work and have been all smiles every day when I return home. This past month has been such a game changer because not being in a bad mood once I get home has reignited my love for cooking and I have been having a lot of fun making dinner every night.

I feel like I have so much more energy now after my shift is over and I have been making plans with friends and family during the work week and weekend like crazy. This is also an awesome change of pace because, normally, I would be so drained that I would prefer spending time with my couch and television during the week. Then, the weekend would roll around and plans would seem exhausting rather than enjoyable. Needless to say, I was in a huge funk.

My new job has helped turn hanging out with people back into something that I look forward to and I am so thankful for that. I have been loving my weekly hang outs with my sister and niece most of all. This was a new addition to my work week since July and it is the definition of super happy fun times. My sister and I will alternate between who buys dinner and we’ll do a fun activity with her daughter. Last week, for example, we went swimming at the pool in my apartment community and had Taco Bell. It was perfect!

I have been taking so much more pleasure in going out and about and it feels so nice for it to not feel like a chore. I have been saying yes to every invitation I get which is a huge one eighty from maybe. This past weekend was an especially fun one as I went to a member’s night event at the Akron Zoo with my parents and niece. Johnny and I also had a fabulous date day on Saturday. We went to our favorite Mexican restaurant, El Meson. Then, we played video games and listened to music until one thirty in the morning. It was such a blast and we spent all of Sunday talking about how much of a blast it was lol.

As I look back on this past month of wonderful hang sessions and dinners, I can definitely see how depressed I was prior to making a change at work. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I was given because it, truly, has allowed my mental health to improve tenfold. I can’t wait for all of the good times that are ahead of me and my husband because I am now capable of enjoying them all to the highest capacity. ❤

Do you have any fun plans this summer? What is your favorite thing to do with your friends? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul21

4 Reasons To Smile More Today

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4 Reasons To Smile More Today

Let’s be honest. We don’t always feel like smiling. There can be days when we don’t have a lot to smile about, especially when we are feeling stressed with life’s many dilemmas. And some of us don’t smile often because of dental reasons that we may need to go to the orthodontist office to get fixed. Discolored or missing teeth can give us reasons not to smile, as there is always that fear of embarrassment.

But here’s the thing. We should never underestimate the importance of smiling.

If you’re struggling to smile because of life’s pressures, find moments in the day for light relief. Watch something funny, do something fun with a friend, and do anything else that will help you crack a smile. And even if you still don’t feel like smiling, smile anyway, as you and others will still experience the benefits.

But if you don’t like your smile? Well, it might be time to visit your dentist or you could buy snap on veneers if you are missing any teeth. You will then have more incentive to smile and your life will improve because of it. Read on to find out more:

There are health benefits:

Smiling is good for you, both physically and mentally. When you smile, endorphins are released and this can help to ease your stress levels. Studies have also shown that smiling is an effective way to boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, and reduce physical pain. Of course, smiling is not a cure in and of itself. You should still see your doctor if you have any ailments. However, knowing that there are health benefits to smiling could give you an actual reason to smile more today!

It helps in social situations:

If you walk around with a permanent scowl on your face, you won’t do much to win people over to you. In fact, they might start avoiding you altogether. But if you smile more, you will appear more friendly, become more approachable, and dare we say it, even more attractive. Whether you’re trying to impress a work colleague, a first date, or your partner’s family, make the effort to smile more to win them over with your good vibes.

Smiling is contagious:

Smile and the world smiles with you! That’s a famous song title but there is actually truth in there. Research has shown that people will naturally feel the urge to smile when they see that expression in others. So, not only will you feel good if you smile more today, but you could quite possibly make others feel good too. Heck, you might even be responsible for a smiling epidemic, which is the only epidemic the world needs right now!

There is much to smile about:

Life might be tough for you right now, so you might debate this point. However, you will improve your mood if you can find the positives in life, so look for reasons to smile. Be thankful for nature and all that exists within it. Be grateful for the joyful moments you experience with friends and family. Eat something that tastes good to you. And check out these other life moments that could cause you to smile.

So, smile more today, for all of these reasons. You will experience the benefits if you do, and so will the people around you.

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Apr30

3 Tips For Managing Social Anxiety

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3 Tips For Managing Social Anxiety

Social anxiety is an increasingly prevalent problem for many people around the world. If you find yourself feeling anxious when meeting new people, spending time in large groups, or even one-on-one, you definitely are not alone. Since the coronavirus pandemic swept the world last year, social interaction became even more digital than it was before. For young people, especially, this has only extrapolated any social anxiety they experienced before the pandemic.

Dealing with social anxiety is very challenging, but it doesn’t have to ruin your life. Life is too short to live with anxiety symptoms. Here are three tips for managing social anxiety:

Confide in a close friend and stick with them:

If you are going to an event where you are likely to experience anxiety symptoms, it’s time to buddy up. Make sure to take a close friend with you who knows about the way you feel in social situations. This will improve the situation in many ways, simply because you can confide in them if you begin to feel anxious.

With your buddy by your side, you can take small breaks by stepping outside and talking through how you feel. You can even leave the event with your friend taking care of you, to ensure you get home safely if things get too much. Everything is achievable if you work as a team – so make sure to confide in a close friend about the way you feel. Anxiety is nothing to be ashamed of and you deserve to feel supported in difficult times.

Seek therapy for your anxiety:

If your anxiety is overwhelming and is stopping you from doing regular things such as going to work, running errands, or seeing friends and family, you should seek help. Therapy or counseling are fantastic tools that can equip you with skills of anxiety awareness, inform you of your triggers, and help you to eventually overcome the symptoms you experience. A licensed therapist can talk with you about understanding symptoms of severe anxiety, where your anxiety might stem from, and what to do if you become anxious in a social situation.

If you are looking for anxiety therapy, you should speak to your doctor or go online to find therapists in your area.

Use natural remedies to calm your mood:

Finally, there are natural ways to calm your mood, without resorting to prescription medications. Prescription medications are absolutely fine if your doctor has recommended them, but some people want to go down a more natural route. Natural remedies such as CBN hemp oil can help you sleep better, providing natural and safe sedative effects that will alleviate anxiety. You can self-administer these natural remedies safely, but you should always read the directions and make sure you are taking the right amount for your weight and age.

If you are struggling with symptoms of social anxiety, the most important thing you can do is take immediate steps to change this. Nobody should have to live with anxiety, and by using the techniques detailed in this blog, you can help turn the tide on your symptoms.

Featured Image By: Pexels