Many of us wake up stressed, thinking about everything we have to do that day, and feeling a sense of powerlessness over our moods and our schedules. Science shows that having a morning routine helps prepare you for the day by putting you in the right frame of mind. It helps you feel a sense of control and accomplishment. It…
-
-
Have you tried repeating affirmations, only to end up disappointed? Affirmations are a new trend in pop psychology that can be really helpful—if done correctly. Take, for example, you are struggling with depression. You constantly think “I am sad ” or “it’s not possible to be happy,” and you want to change that. Maybe you came up with the affirmation…
-
How often do you think about breathing? If you’re like most people, the answer is not very often. Our bodies breathe automatically, so we don’t have to interfere with that, right? While it is true that you do not usually have to think about breathing in order to survive, understanding how breathing affects your nervous system, and using that knowledge…
-
It is important to trust yourself, but it is equally important not to trust yourself in certain situations. Do you constantly hear a nagging voice in your head? It is important to realize that that voice is not you. It is just your stream of thoughts. You are not your thoughts—they are temporary, and they change. Rather, you are the…
-
Coffee has many health benefits and can give you the boost you need to make the most of your day, but the caffeine in it gives some people the jitters. If this is you, you may want to try out matcha, the powdered form of green tea, which many people drink in latte form. Matcha also contains caffeine (more than…
-
Research shows that spending time with your pet lowers your blood pressure, relieves stress, and increases oxytocin levels in your brain. Oxytocin, which is also called “the love hormone,” increases relaxation, trust, and overall psychological stability. If you don’t have a pet yourself, don’t worry! Dog and cat cafés are becoming more and more popular. You can get some coffee…
-
Acts of kindness aren’t entirely altruistic… you also reap many benefits from being nice to others. It boosts feelings of gratitude, happiness, compassion, and optimism. It raises your confidence and your sense of control. It makes you feel like you belong to a community. Whether it be as small an act as helping a stranger with directions, to as large…
-
Going out in the sun helps you soak up Vitamin D, which is good for your bones and helps you ward off certain diseases such as osteoporosis. While too much sun can lead to skin cancers, a moderate amount can actually fight off certain cancers such as colon, prostate, and ovarian cancers. Getting sunlight during the day aids in the…
-
Numerous studies have discussed the importance and benefits of laughing more often. Especially during COVID, keeping your mood positive and preserving your mental health is extra important. Watching cute animal videos, a comedic movie/special, or anything with positive vibes is great! I recommend starting with the TV show “The Good Place.” 🙂
-
Sometimes, when we’re going through a hard time, we fear that it will last forever. But the reality is that brain-states come and go, like waves in the ocean. Sometimes we don’t see how we’ll reach the calm after the storm or the light at the end of the tunnel. But, instead of getting disheartened by that, you can put…
-
Social isolation from your friends and family can be really difficult to deal with. Sometimes we aren’t too motivated to reach out to people either. However, calling or facetiming people can greatly improve your mental health during COVID-19. Even calling someone for a few minutes per day can really make a difference.
-
Are you hard on yourself whenever you make a mistake? Do you focus on your shortcomings rather than your accomplishments? The next time you find yourself beating yourself down, try speaking to yourself as if you are your best friend. If your best friend got a C on a test, you’d console her and remind her that a C won’t…