When family or friends open up, most of us rush to fix, advise, or share a similar story. This can be useful, but what helps most is active listening - giving full, empathic attention so the other person feels genuinely heard. Using active listening also strengthens relationships and, surprisingly, benefits the listener! Below are some... Continue Reading →
Eat Mediterranean
Can you imagine yourself sailing the sparkling seas of the Turkish Riviera, visiting the masterworks of Bernini and Raphael at Rome’s Borghese Gallery, or wandering through the ruins of the Acropolis of Athens? If you’d like to experience the splendor of this region of the world but vacationing isn’t in your plans this summer, try... Continue Reading →
Empty Nesting: Reflecting and Preparing for Change
Many parents look forward to their children growing up and leaving their home. Although it sounds like a time of freedom and rediscovery, it also comes with many challenges and changes that parents might not be aware of until the time comes. Parents might feel anxious at the thought of their children leaving the house... Continue Reading →
Misophonia (or selective sound sensitivity syndrome)
Have you ever heard of Misophonia? Misophonia is a condition where people are disturbed by common, everyday sounds. Many people cringe hearing nails scraping on a blackboard or are annoyed by heavy breathing or lip-smacking, but people with misophonia have a much more profound reaction. They might feel intense anger, anxiety, fear, or disgust when... Continue Reading →
Cultivating Compassion: Why it Matters More than Ever
What is compassion? Compassion is the awareness of another person’s suffering with a desire to help. Unlike empathy, which involves understanding and sharing someone’s feelings, compassion also includes the motivation to take action. As Hill (2023) writes "Compassion is like water, it can flow over hard rocks and into tight places and softens them over... Continue Reading →
July was Minority Mental Health Awareness Month
Mental health is just as important as physical health, but for many minority communities, accessing care can be challenging due to stigma, cultural barriers, and systemic inequalities. This month, we shine a light on the unique struggles faced by Black, Indigenous, People of Color and other underrepresented groups when it comes to mental well-being. Our... Continue Reading →
Music is Magical
Music has always been known as a way of expressing feelings and thoughts, or to process feelings but could it actually do anything else? The Washington Post, on Instagram, posted on June 12 how singing can be beneficial for your brain. If you kept reading it explained how the act of creating music boosts your... Continue Reading →
The Diet-Mood Connection
Although we can’t control all the factors that play a part in determining our mental health, we do have control over many of our lifestyle choices. Making healthier lifestyle choices can help us improve our psychological wellbeing. Getting enough sleep, for example, has been shown to strengthen emotional processing, improve mood, decrease stress, improve memory,... Continue Reading →
Good Sleep Hygiene Supports Good Mental Health
Getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t just help us wake up feeling great. A full night’s sleep supports our mental health. Getting enough sleep can strengthen emotional processing, improve mood, decrease stress, improve memory, and increase productivity. Psychologist and sleep disorder specialist, Dr. Michelle Drerup, of the Cleveland Clinic, reports that most healthy adults need... Continue Reading →
