Like many of you, I’ve suddenly found myself working from home. Stress levels are high as we contend with our new normal. The safety of seeing clients in my medical office building is abruptly and unexpectedly filled with uncertainly. Suddenly doorknobs, hands extended in greeting, elevator call buttons, even the air around us are met with suspicion. Standing...[ read more ]
By Jessica Koblenz, PsyD In recent months we have been introduced to COVID-19, a virus, which has thousands of people across the globe, exposed with symptoms and many others fearing exposure and risk. There are widespread recommendations for social distancing, with thousands in quarantine and considerably more being advised to work from home. For many industries, this reflects a drastic change...[ read more ]
The American Red Cross is closely monitoring the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and following the latest guidance from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). We know this is a stressful time and people want to know what they can do right now to protect themselves and their families. That’s why the Red Cross is highlighting some everyday steps...[ read more ]
Our anxiety increases when we are confronted with threats to our health. The coronavirus constitutes such a threat. In this article, I present steps to help you cope with the increased anxiety stemming from the coronavirus. 1. Understand Your Odds We often experience spikes in anxiety when we believe that a threat is imminent and unavoidable. Considering the extensive...[ read more ]
Vacations are great. They help us relax, de-stress, engage in pleasurable activities and enjoy each other. Studies show that vacations are generally good for your health and wellbeing. Going on vacation with your significant other can indeed help you get to know each other better, make new joint memories, and try new things together – all beneficial for...[ read more ]
Written by Amy Van Veen From the thrill of wedding anticipation to settling into the roles of husband and wife, it can be easy to forget that marriage is about far more than just two people. What if the marriage wasn’t seen as an end in and of itself? What if it was seen as a means of drawing closer to...[ read more ]
A mental health crisis can display in a variety of ways. There is no one indicator that a person is experiencing a mental health emergency, but here some signs to look for. The person may be: Unable to complete daily tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, bathing, etc. Verbally saying, writing or insinuating that they’d like to kill themselves and/or...[ read more ]
Contrary to the myth that only “crazy people” seek help from a therapist, many individuals and families have discovered the value of working with a mental health professional for various personal and social issues that are causing them severe distress. The following is a list of some of the most common reasons individuals seek help from a therapist or...[ read more ]
How Trauma Affects The Brain There are many reasons that trauma hurts us. One thing you may not know is that trauma physically changes our brains. When you experience a traumatic event, your mind changes. Areas of your brain that once worked in a particular way change based on hyperarousal due to trauma. For example, the amygdala gets over-activated after...[ read more ]
It has been generally accepted that both listening to and creating music can have various positive effects on mood and mental health. Incorporating music into your everyday life can help to: elevate your mood and motivation aid relaxation increase the efficiency of your brain processing. Ways to use music for mental health So, we have learned that music is...[ read more ]
