The holidays can be hard for a myriad of reasons––family discord, grief, isolation, or loneliness to name a few. This holiday season, there’s no shortage of things that could make it an even harder time to manage. The seasonal shift to winter is a big change, especially in Texas where we are accustomed to having the sun’s heat for most of the year. The days are shorter, nights are longer, and the sun plays it coy.
When discussing a health condition like heart disease, it’s important to talk about the symptoms, treatments, and interventions, but it’s just as important to back up and know what can help prevent heart disease. When discussing mental health conditions like stress, we do the same thing by backing up and talking about stress management.
The holidays can be hard for a myriad of reasons––family discord, grief, isolation, or loneliness to name a few. This holiday season, there’s no shortage of things that could make it an even harder time to manage. The seasonal shift to winter is a big change, especially in Texas where we are accustomed to having the sun’s heat for most of the year. The days are shorter, nights are longer, and the sun plays it coy.
It’s no mystery work plays a primary role in our lives. According to the United Nations’ International Labour Organization, Americans work 137 hours more than Japanese workers, 260 more hours than British workers, and 499 more hours than French Workers. “What do you do?” has become the gold-standard of introductory questions when meeting someone new. We often conflate work with worth and perceive occupation as a primary determinant of social status. For example, when someone says they’re a doctor, our ears perk up!
Summer is almost over! Can you believe it? While I'm not as in touch with my calendar as I normally am, the business of my daily life sure has changed. For that reason, I’m thankful to have Coffee Days circled on my calendar with our virtual gatherings on Zoom three times each month.
Imagine you’re a 15-year-old transgender teen. You only recently began to feel comfortable at school, getting called by your chosen name and pronouns, and dressing the way that affirms your gender. Your parents have a hard time understanding your identity. This makes home feel like a place where you aren’t allowed to be your true self.
As Director of the Mental Health Navigation Line, I’ve seen a notable increase in anxiety-related symptoms due to stressors brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most people I speak with describe physical changes they’re experiencing and often ask if they should call their medical doctor in case they’re sick with the flu or possibly COVID-19.
Mornings can be tough, especially in the midst of a pandemic that has shifted our schedules and impacted our motivation, mood, and mindset going into each day. It’s easy to feel anxious, out of control, or defeated as the situation changes daily. We want to foster habits that help us navigate this difficult time well.
Working from home does not mean less stress. Instead, I have found new stressors. Without my colleagues to help feed my motivation and creativity, I get stuck in my own head. The rhythm of the day is blurred. The four steps from my bed to the desk doesn’t provide me the time for thought and reflection my long work commute did. The distractions of home, family, TV, house chores, the call of the yard, all cause me to lose focus.
With the country rolling out social distancing measures due the coronavirus (COVID-19), North Texans are facing a new reality that may prove to be stressful for some people. Fear and anxiety about the pandemic can be overwhelming and cause strong emotions in children, teens, and adults.
Director of outreach and education Cami Fields, LMSW, offers tips and resources for children, adolescents and adults coping with this challenging time during the shelter-in-place orders.
Whether or not you’re in a romantic relationship, Valentine’s Day often comes with a lot of pressure and expectation about what the day should look like. This Valentine’s Day, consider putting your energy into the relationship that you have with yourself with a bit of self-care. Give yourself the things you wish to receive or experience on this or any other day.
As every supermarket in town begins to fill with red roses, chocolate covered strawberries, and an invisible sign that reads: “To be happy, you must be in love,” it makes sense for love and relationships to be on the mind.
Why does Valentine’s Day seem to have the power to genuinely make people feel crummy?
