Blog
Mental health is an integral part of our overall well-being. Yet, for many years, it has been surrounded by stigma and misunderstandings, leaving countless individuals feeling isolated and unsupported. Every May, Mental Health Awareness Month offers a chance to shed light on these issues, promote understanding, and encourage compassion.
Fresh air and sunshine are often considered blessings we take for granted, yet they carry powerful benefits for both the mind and body. Scientific research and God’s intricate design of creation both point to how spending time outside can invigorate our souls and bring us closer to His peace. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, seeking clarity, or simply looking to feel more connected with the world and those around you, the outdoors might hold the healing you need.
Spring isn’t just a season; it’s a chance to start fresh. For many of us, it’s the time we dust off corners, reorganize closets, and deep-clean our homes. But have you considered doing a spring cleaning for your mind? Just like clutter in your home can create chaos, mental clutter can weigh you down, leaving your thoughts scattered and your heart feeling heavy.
If you've experienced trauma, you may know what flashbacks and nightmares are like. Most individuals who are living with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) experience nightmares or flashbacks. This is one more way that the brain reacts to a traumatic experience. Understanding what nightmares and flashbacks are, how they affect you, and how to cope can help in increasing your quality of life.
Thankfully mental health is becoming less taboo these days. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t still a lot of confusion about it. For this week’s blog I thought it might be helpful to provide basic information about depression. How is it defined and diagnosed and what are some healthy coping skills for managing it?
There’s no other way to say it, but loss is painful. When we think about loss, we most often think of an actual passing, a loss that is identified with the individual or loved one no longer being here on Earth. I’d like to point out, however, that loss comes in many forms and, often times, those losses can feel almost as significant. In fact, you are experiencing a death of some kind; one that must also be grieved.
The way our minds process grief and loss truly is interesting. I recently heard that research studies have shown through brain scans that the loss of a relationship looks the same as an addict who is experiencing withdrawal. When our brains are missing what once was, the brain will release the same chemicals that indicate a “need” for whatever that “thing” is. We miss the familiarity, the comfort, the habits and the routine that the partner, job, drug, etc provided.
