Welcome to CounselingMatters.live and to our first post! I am honored you are taking the time to visit and read on. This blog will have many contributors on many different mental health subjects and topics of interest for people interested in living an emotionally healthy lifestyle. I hope you find these entries helpful. This entry... Continue Reading →
Emotions can be powerful, confusing, and sometimes difficult to put into words. Many people know they feel “bad” or “off” but struggle to explain exactly what they’re feeling. The Emotion Wheel, developed by psychologist Robert Plutchik, was designed to solve this problem by offering a clear, visual way to identify, organize, and understand emotions. By... Continue Reading →
In this blog series, we covered a lot based on the book Getting Our Bodies Back by Christine Caldwell. I learned a great deal from this book, especially the importance of paying attention to our bodies, emotions, and any sensations that might need our attention. One thing that stood out from the book is body... Continue Reading →
Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) describes a difference in how the brain interprets and responds to sensory information. This includes input from sight, sound, touch, taste, smell and movement. For people with SPD, everyday sensory experiences can feel overwhelming, underwhelming or confusing, making daily life more challenging. While SPD is most often identified in childhood, it... Continue Reading →
Ever listen to a song and feel like it was written just for you? There is this Francesca Battistelli song that is running through my brain these days because it reminds me of my life when my procrastination runs amok. There is a line in there about getting pulled over for speeding when you are... Continue Reading →
Emotional regulation refers to the skills people use to understand, manage and respond to their emotions in ways that are appropriate for a situation. Rather than eliminating feelings, emotional regulation focuses on adjusting how intense an emotion feels, how long it lasts and how it is expressed. These skills help people pause, think, and choose... Continue Reading →
In the previous blog, I introduced the difference between feedback and criticism. In Part Six, I will address blame and our inner critic. Blame and Burden According to Caldwell, taking responsibility for our actions and for what we have done wrong is essential to regaining our power. It allows us to accept ourselves and learn... Continue Reading →
Mindfulness breathing is one of the most accessible and effective ways to support both mental and physical wellbeing. By gently directing attention to the breath, we can calm the nervous system, reduce stress, and reconnect with the present moment. Mindfulness breathing exercises are simple, adaptable, and often serve as a gateway into broader mindfulness and... Continue Reading →
We now turn to another important section of the book: Feedback versus Criticism. Caldwell explores how our interpretation of the world and others shapes both our reactions and our perceptions. Feedback describes a situation as it is and invites awareness and understanding, whereas criticism often triggers feelings of shame, defensiveness, and withdrawal. We will delve... Continue Reading →
I am not a fan of winter. The coldness is especially harsh this year. My day is set when waking up to unplowed snow when I need to leave for work. Not to mention I dislike the restrictions when bundling up in layers. I start to feel depressed when winter comes along. Now don’t get... Continue Reading →
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