Cluttered homes can lead to cluttered minds. Research has shown that clutter leads to higher levels of cortisol, the stress hormone, in the body. Having unnecessary items strewn about can cause overwhelm, overstimulation, and decision fatigue. By giving or throwing away things we no longer need, and organizing the things we do need, we reduce mental clutter, guilt, and shame,…
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What’s today? The first day of November already? Time really flies by, but stopping to appreciate where you are now can help it to slow down a little. When you walk outside, look around at the changing leaves, feel the cooling air on your skin, breathe in the scents of fall. Think about what you’re grateful for from last month,…
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In our society, we often pathologize low feelings, like gloom or lethargy. But in reality, all of these feelings fit into the regular flux of human emotions. It only becomes a mental health concern if these feelings are pervasive and long-lasting. But sometimes thinking such emotions aren’t meant to be there at all can cause us to fixate on them…
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When Halloween night rolls around, it doesn’t matter if you’re ten years old ringing doorbells, or fifty years old at home, we think it’s always worthwhile to dress up. It allows you to get creative, maybe to reconnect to a favorite childhood movie or book character, and to step out of your box into some type of new role for…
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Many of us rush around the couple days before Christmas or Hanukkah to find the perfect gifts for our loved ones. But we have a suggestion: start thinking about gifts now! The more time you give yourself, the more ideas will come up naturally, rather than having to force yourself to think of ideas last-minute. You can approach your holiday…
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You’ve probably heard many versions of the phrase, “Live in the Moment.” Sometimes, we like to reminisce about the “good old days,” recalling fond memories of a distant time. Taking a trip down memory lane is natural, but clinging to the past can prevent you from being fully engaged with the present. It can be hard to get excited about…
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Does your brain ever have one anxious or sad thought, and then spiral from there? Or maybe you have self-defeating thoughts, like “I’m bored” or “I’m not good enough.” Having a daily mantra, one that resonates with you, is like having a little intervention that puts you back on track every time your brain starts to veer off-course. It’s a…
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This past year has meant a lot of canceled plans, but that does not mean you have to miss out on some safe fall festivities. As the weather cools down, the air becomes crisper, and the leaves change color, go on a nature hike with a loved one to enjoy the outdoors. If you live near an apple orchard, make…
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We talked last week about how creativity improves mental health, and one way to exercise creativity is to cook! Choose a recipe, gather the ingredients, turn on some music, and get mixing! If you want to be extra creative, you can put your own twist on the dish, maybe swapping out a certain vegetable for a different one you like…
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What is the difference between a routine and a ritual? A routine is a regularly followed sequence of actions. Many of us go through our daily and nightly routines mindlessly, or on autopilot. A ritual is a practice that is done for a higher purpose, so rituals are often approached more mindfully and respectfully. What if we started treating our…
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Many psychologists point to creativity as a secret pathway to positive mental health and well-being. Many of us do creative activities when we’re young, but we don’t think to fit them into our busier, more serious lives as adults. Creativity is important in adulthood because it allows us to continue to perceive and interact with the world in new ways.…
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Do you find yourself searching the internet or asking around to find the type of workout that gives you the fastest, best results? If you ask us, our advice is that the best type of exercise is the one you’ll actually do. As humans, we’re more likely to do things we actually enjoy. If you are miserable on every run,…