To the ones who feel like they haven’t done enough: You are not alone. I recently heard an ER physician on the radio speak to the fact that he would come home exhausted after taking care of COVID-19 patients and question whether he had done enough. He had done everything he could for patients with …
An open letter to the ones who feel like they haven’t done enough Read More »
The need for self-care is at an all-time high, but self-care is always important. Taking care of ourselves with kindness and gratitude is a crucial part of our well-being. In a society that exalts work above rest, it can be difficult to recognize the need to take a step back and prioritize your own needs. …
4 free self-care ideas to help you reset without breaking the bank Read More »
Amidst the shutdowns and other safety precautions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, families have experienced new stressors — and telehealth has experienced an unprecedented boom. Even prior to COVID-19, Baylor Scott & White’s Warriors Research Institute (WRI) was harnessing the power of telehealth to help address mental health concerns across the state of …
How telehealth is helping veteran families connect and cope with stress Read More »
What if there was a simple way to reduce stress, improve immune function and boost your mood? Journaling, a simple activity, has shown to do this and more! Let’s explore how journaling can be an effective way to process thoughts and boost your mental health. Mental illness affects millions of people every year. Interestingly, it is …
How are you feeling? How have you been feeling the past week? Most importantly, what are you doing about how you’re feeling? Let’s talk about the importance of checking into our emotions and mental well-being, and explore a few tools that can help us begin to notice, process and regulate emotions during stressful times. (Say, …
Life is stressful—it’s time for a mental health check-in Read More »
The holiday season can be exciting and full of fun, but it can also cause depression and loneliness for some, especially those celebrating alone or away from loved ones. Add on a global pandemic and those feelings can be exacerbated. In order to keep yourself and those around you safe, your normal holiday activities may …
3 ways to cope with loneliness this holiday season Read More »
Picture this: you are helping a friend move. You spend the day bending at the knees and picking up boxes and furniture. Stairs may be involved, and you are in utter disbelief by the amount of things your friend owns. By the end of the day, you have easily surpassed the 10,000-step mark, and you …
Is exercise the key to happiness? The movement-mood connection Read More »
If you are anything like me, this past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions. There have been the ups of finding new ways to connect with family and friends, yet the downs of uncertainty and a lot of alone time, plus everything in between. As an instructor and practitioner of mindfulness, I am no stranger …
Feelings about feelings: Navigating meta-emotions during a pandemic Read More »
Picture this: you’re in the middle of a meditation. You close your eyes and think, “Breathe in, focus on your breath. Breathe out…” As you exhale your mind wanders to, “Oh no! I forgot to get the cilantro at the grocery for that recipe. Wait, I’m supposed to be breathing. But this recipe will be …
Have you ever bonded with someone you don’t know over something funny? Or perhaps become closer with someone after a few good laughs? Let’s dive into what makes laughter so contagious — and so important in our day-to-day lives and relationships. The contagious effect of laughter Research has shown that the critical laughter trigger for …
Why is laughter contagious? Plus 7 ways to lighten up your day Read More »