If anyone is thinking of any great new year resolution ideas, limiting social media usage could be a great one! A study on social media use and mental health had found that more time on social media was significantly associated with greater symptoms of anxiety. Furthermore, the same study revealed that more daily usage of social media was significantly associated…

As we start embarking on a new year, it is important to set goals and think about all the wonderful things the new year may have in store for us. With this being said, however, sometimes we let our minds wander a little too much, and find ourselves not being in the present moment as we are too busy thinking…

Play is not just for kids; it’s for everyone! Getting in touch with that young fun can have numerous benefits: reduced stress, improved creativity, and a better work-life balance. Here are some ways to incorporate play into your life:  Revisit Old Hobbies: Revisit hobbies from your past. Take up painting, coloring, dancing, a sport, or an instrument! Explore Nature: Go…

As we are deep into the holiday season, nothing feels better than a warm cup of hot cocoa. Along with tasting incredibly delicious, it is an excellent mood booster! When you eat chocolate, your brain releases feel-good chemicals, including serotonin and endorphins, making you happy and content. High-quality dark chocolate is also high in antioxidants, meaning there are also health…

Along with being a leisurely pastime, reading has many therapeutic benefits: stress reduction, improved empathy, improved sleep, and cognitive stimulation. Here are some feel-good book recommendations:  “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Rubin These…

Vibrant Colors: Color psychology can really affect your mood. Vibrant greens, blues, and yellows can be both calming and uplifting.  Plants: Bringing nature into your home can really improve your mood. We all know that going out and seeing nature is good for our mental and physical health, so why not bring it inside! Pictures: Putting photos around your home…

Sometimes it feels very easy to brush something off for a later date. We may try to avoid boredom or stress by navigating around a project, task, or assignment, only to be hit by the boredom and stress even more when we realize we have to get it done, now with limited time. This pesky procrastination can be more dangerous…

Breathe in…breathe out! Sometimes we tend to move too fast. We may feel that we are always on the move or have to complete something every second of the day. This can get in the way of us recognizing that we need to stop and take a break. Even just sitting down to control our breathing, making sure to focus…

Acute stress, or short-term stress, is common. It is hard not to feel anxious when we try to navigate our busy lives with responsibilities that, at times, may feel like too much! Acute stress, though, can be detrimental to our overall mood; it can decrease emotional regulation which can bring forth negative emotions, and if built up, can lead to…

Emotions are normal. We, as humans, experience emotions on a daily basis whether they are positive, such as feelings of joy and happiness, or negative, such as sadness and anxiousness. Regardless of which side the emotion lands on, expressing our emotions is important. This is especially true when it comes to letting emotions out in the form of crying. Crying…