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 →

The Power of Stillness and Silence

When living life day-to-day, it is easy to get caught up in responsibilities and the busyness of the world. Sometimes it is necessary to sit still and give yourself a moment of peace. The practice of meditation and mindfulness is often overlooked. People dismiss its effectiveness because they don’t make time for it, they get... Continue Reading →

Raising Independent Children

In his book The Anxious Generation, Jonathan Haidt compares modern-day parenting to carpentry and parents to carpenters. He explains that, like a carpenter envisions the finished result of their project, parents have a clear idea of what they are trying to mold their kid into. Parents have character traits personalities in mind that they want... Continue Reading →

Take it Easy

When summer rolls around, it often brings with it an unspoken pressure: make every moment count. Vacations, BBQs, road trips, kids’ activities, festivals—the calendar can fill up faster than we realize. And while these experiences can be joyful, the constant busyness can leave us feeling just as stressed and exhausted as the busy seasons we... Continue Reading →

Designed for Addiction

Through my internship here at Olive Branch Counseling Associates this semester, I have been reading the book The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt and have written several blogs about the implications screens and social media have on our society and our youth. The most recent chapter I read from this book addressed how social media... Continue Reading →

PAWsitive Vibes Only

Whether you’re a proud cat person, or a die-hard dog lover, or still undecided, there’s no denying the profound impact a furry friend can have on your life. Beyond the cuddles and companionship, owning a pet, commonly a dog or a cat, can improve your overall quality of life in ways you might not expect.... Continue Reading →

Turning Pages

I am writing this the day before my last ever softball game. I have been playing softball since I was 8 years old, and I am now 22. I was lucky enough to play my sport all through high school, both representing my town and playing around the country with my travel teams, and to... Continue Reading →

Blog at WordPress.com.

Up ↑