Live Better. Love Better. Work Better.

Posts

Categories

What is Secondary Trauma?

October 1, 2024
secondary trauma

Has someone from work repeatedly shared traumatic events or instances of their lives to you? Have you ever scheduled to have coffee with a friend that turns into what should probably be a therapy session of them unpacking a traumatic event that happened? This type of sharing can come from a family member, partner, close friend, or co-worker (or maybe is even a part of your job), and is a lot to take in, especially if it…

Read More

Understanding Coping Mechanisms: Moving from Maladaptive to Healthy Strategies

September 30, 2024
coping mechanisms

Coping mechanisms are strategies we use to manage stress, trauma, and overwhelming emotions. They help us navigate difficult situations. However, not all coping mechanisms are created equal. While some strategies offer immediate relief, they may ultimately cause harm in the long run. Recognizing the difference between maladaptive and healthy coping mechanisms is key to building emotional resilience and improving overall well-being. Maladaptive vs. Healthy Coping Mechanisms Maladaptive coping mechanisms are behaviors that might offer short-term relief but…

Read More

Soham: A Powerful Mantra for Coping with Anxiety

September 27, 2024
coping with anxiety

In today’s world, anxiety has become a common struggle that many of us face. Whether it is the pressure of work, relationships, or the constant stress from social media, the demands of life can be overwhelming. While there are many strategies for managing anxiety, my personal favorite is the “Soham” mantra while meditating. I know the last thing we want to hear when in a state of panic is to meditate because we feel as if we…

Read More

Navigating Life Transitions: Understanding and Managing Change

September 25, 2024
Life Transitions

Life transitions are normal parts of our journeys that impact our experiences and can lead to personal growth. Common examples of life transitions are transitioning to a new job, moving to a different city, or adjusting to significant life events such as becoming a parent or retiring. These major life changes can be exciting, challenging, and bring about feelings of uncertainty. Understanding the types of transitions and learning how to navigate these changes can help support emotional…

Read More

How Trauma Impacts Self-Esteem: Understanding the Connection

September 22, 2024
self esteem counseling

Traumatic experiences significantly affect our sense of self, self-worth, trust in ourselves, and trust in others. After a traumatic event, it’s common to start believing negative things about ourselves, such as taking undue blame, adopting negative beliefs, developing mistrust, and questioning our identity. It’s crucial to remember that your trauma does not define you. With time, support, and self-belief, you can reclaim your confidence and embrace your self-worth.   How Trauma Affects The Brain Traumatic experiences can…

Read More

Coping Mechanisms: Grounding Skills and How to Use Them

September 18, 2024
coping mechanisms

What are Grounding Skills? While our first thought about “grounding” might be about getting in trouble by parents, caregivers, or even teachers, we are referring to a different type of grounding. Grounding can be described as our ability to stay present and be in the ‘here and now’.  What does that mean? When experiencing racing thoughts, anxiety, depression, big emotions, etc., we can find ourselves focused on past situations and experiences, or a fear of the future,…

Read More

Anxiety Symptoms and Signs In People

September 16, 2024
anxiety

Anxiety is likely a word you have heard before, but how do you know if what you are experiencing is anxiety? Anxiety is a response that typically occurs when the body is under stress, in an unfamiliar situation, or in danger. Anyone can experience anxiety but not everyone has an anxiety disorder, so how do you know the difference? Symptoms of Anxiety: First, I will start by explaining the symptoms of an anxiety disorder. The most common…

Read More

Different Ways to Create Intimacy in Your Relationship

September 12, 2024
intimacy in relationship

What is Intimacy? When we hear or think about the word intimacy, we are often met with the idea of sex. While this can be true, intimacy is very multi-dimensional and can mean many different things. Intimacy is defined by the American Psychological Association as “an interpersonal state of extreme emotional closeness such that each party’s personal space can be entered by any of the other parties without causing discomfort to that person…and requires the parties to…

Read More

Authentic Leadership in the Workplace

September 10, 2024
authentic leadership

When discussing authentic leadership in the workplace, a common definition reveals that it encompasses individuals who are self-aware and mindful of how their behavior and thoughts are perceived by others; are aware of their own and others’ morals, values, knowledge, and strengths, and are confident, optimistic, hopeful, and resilient. While this definition captures the essence of authentic leadership, research shows that this type of leadership is continuously evolving. Authentic leaders tend to think outside the parameters of…

Read More

Anxiety: A Biological Background and Coping Strategies

August 28, 2024
coping strategies

If you experience anxiety, you are not alone. Anxiety is the most common mental health challenge in the United States. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 40 million adults in the United States experience some form of anxiety.  In this blog, we will highlight some facts about anxiety, and then discuss some quick tips (supported by biology) for coping. This is not a substitution for therapy, but a resource that we hope is…

Read More