Embracing the depth of our emotions is a crucial aspect of personal growth, and it doesn't always have to carry a negative connotation. Rather than suppressing or disregarding our feelings, it is important to acknowledge, understand, and express them as an integral part of our daily lives.

Updated May, 25, 2023.

We've all had those mornings when we wake up feeling groggy, irritable, and just not quite ourselves. You might have heard someone jokingly ask, "Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed?" But there might be more truth to that question than we realize. Sleep plays a crucial role in our emotional well-being, and poor quality sleep can have a significant impact on our mood, mental health, and lifestyle behaviors.

Created May 18,...

Chances are most of us have personally known at least one person who has battled breast cancer. Yet, I never grow tired of survivor stories. Despite this, I find it difficult to ask them how they are doing and even more so find it difficult to write this blog. Cancer hits hard… so we need to fight harder. Whether we are personally dealing with cancer or are encouraging others dealing with a diagnosis or post-treatment survival, we must...

It’s not something anyone ever wants to hear… a cancer diagnosis. It changes your life – your world perspective, your day-to-day routine, your future plans, your relationships, your work– everything! Common feelings during this experience can include anxiety, distress, and depression. It is critical to recognize this cancer diagnosis as a stressor, as this awareness can empower you to progress in your treatment with a sense of hope.

Let’s not forget where we started; mental health is and always has been important to our total health and well-being. The pandemic and changing work environment has brought the topic to the forefront of many individuals and organization’s minds.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) launched #More than Enough, their 2023 campaign May 1st.

It is important that all of us recognize mental health as part of our total well-being. In addition to caring for ourselves and taking measures to improve our mental health, we hope you will help raise...

We hear all the time that increasing physical activity can significantly improve our mental health… and we’re not here to disagree! However, this month we’re discussing why it’s more important to incorporate planned exercise into your daily routine and evaluate how your emotional well-being transforms when you become increasingly active.

PLUS! Why not take the lessons we learn in the gym back into our daily routine? Building strength...

A variety of situations may give cause for us to stay home and indoors, not just the spring season with allergies and unpredictable weather, but throughout the year with illness, weather extremes, significant injuries, etc. While having time at home to get things done is beneficial, sometimes even therapeutic, too much time spent unintentionally can lead to something called “cabin fever” – a constellation of symptoms that occurs during...

Have you ever googled “quotes about pursuing happiness?” While there are many out there that may inspire you, there is not a single “answer” as to how one becomes happy. Afterall, happiness is not simply achieved. Happiness is about flourishing, living – it is a constant and consistent movement forward. Since the early 1960s, psychologists have been working to broadly and openly define and describe what they believe is a more well-rounded...

What’s the first thing you think about when you consider setting a health goal? For many Americans, the first goal that comes to mind has to do with that number on the scale… and for good reason. Weight can be a clear indicator of one’s risk of illness and disease. The challenge here, however, is that it is not the number that increases the risk, rather the habits that contribute to an increased weight as well as the results of carrying...

Go Go Go! So much of our world today encourages, almost rewards, a constant “on-the-go” lifestyle. Whether it’s going from one activity to the next or having an all-or-nothing attitude about working out, sports performance, etc., it is almost as if we are rewarded for never taking a break.

But! What if you performed better BECAUSE you took a break?

What if you performed at a higher level BECAUSE you took a break?

Research...

According to a JAMA article published in September of 2020, COVID-19 created changes in adult alcohol use. Many of us clearly remember the weeks in March as we began to experience the pandemic. According to a...

As we look at reducing the risk of chronic illness during the month of September, it’s important to note that addressing cardiovascular disease is essential. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, killing one person every 36 seconds (CDC, 2018). Pause and count to 36 seconds–that is an alarming number of people!

Interestingly enough, keeping our physical heart healthy isn’t just about the physical actions we...

Building a Positive Mindset

A positive mindset can change both your physical and mental health in many different ways. This mindset can help build your physical health because you can reduce stress and mood which can help reduce your chance for disease. The “power of positive thinking” is a phrase you may have heard before; it is a great tool that everyone should utilize...

• Try Something New!
• Unusual as it may be, the current condition of the United States isn’t something we should let deter us from staying well and healthy. If anything, we should take the time social distancing and staying home is freeing up in our schedule to learn more about ourselves. How do you spend quality time with yourself when you feel stressed about what’s going on...

You can survive without food and water for a short period of time lack of oxygen can result in brain damage or death in only 3-5 minutes. Breathing is necessary to take in oxygen and to remove waste products. But breathing fills more than a physical need. Breathing can focus, center and ground us in our everyday life thoughts, awareness, habits and behaviors. You breathe on auto pilot much of the time but you can also breathe with...