4 Truths About Trauma Stranger Things 4 Gets Right
**Major Spoilers for Season 4 Part 1** Reader and viewer discretion advised: The Stranger Things series has always been strange, but Season 4 is the scariest yet—and is possibly triggering for some viewers. We recommend watching with a friend or loved one, especially for sensitive groups. The Duffer Brothers’ hit series Stranger Things thrills sci-fi […]
Fear or Phobia? Understand and confront phobia with these 3 tips
Unless you’re an entomology enthusiast, let’s be real—cockroaches are pretty gross. But for people with Katsaridaphobia, an irrational fear of roaches, they’re petrifying. When the weather warms and roaches tend to venture indoors, someone with a roach phobia might scan ceilings before entering a room, avoid dark corners, or be on high alert for dark […]
How to Regulate Your Emotions Without Numbing Them Out
Is it better to regulate negative thoughts or allow yourself to feel your feelings? ¿Por qué no los dos? Sometimes we mistakenly teach ourselves to “regulate” negative emotions by ignoring them. Yet suppressing difficult thoughts won’t eliminate them; it only shifts them to the back burner, where they gradually burn as you forget about them. […]
7 Cognitive Distortions to Uproot from your Belief System
Once upon a time, you toppled off your first bike. What happened next was likely pivotal in your self esteem formation. An older sibling might’ve said, “That’s okay, try again!” Or a parent might have fretted over your knee and whisked you inside. Over time, your family’s comments followed patterns that ultimately shaped your beliefs […]
Am I having an anxiety attack?
When faced with an immediate threat, fear is a totally rational response. Our heart races and adrenaline soars, providing enough energy to fight or flee. This stress response is often referred to as “fight or flight,” a self-defense mechanism that energizes and alerts us in dangerous situations. The same response can be triggered by uncertain […]
How to Break the Cycle of Revenge Bedtime Procrastination (in 5 Steps)
It’s late–too late. You’re scrolling through your phone, thumbs flying. Your laptop’s open and Netflix wants to know if you’re still watching and you already know waking up is going to be a pain. But this is YOU time, so you tell yourself you deserve this and click “keep watching.” If this resonates, you may […]
9 Journaling Strategies to Relieve Stress & Boost Self-Awareness
Journaling is one of the cheapest, most effective self-care strategies anyone can pick up to help manage stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. When anxious thoughts overwhelm, transferring them to paper can help sort through these feelings and clear your mind. Keep reading to discover nine journaling strategies and research-backed tips to optimize the benefits of […]
How To Cope in Times of Crisis
Alarming headlines of global unrest, heart-wrenching mass shootings, divisive political rhetoric, and crippling climate change fill our media feeds every morning. When watching traumatic events unfold, feelings of anxiety, anger, sorrow, or hopelessness are totally reasonable reactions. But as dismal updates continue to unfurl, it’s important to take precautions to prevent these feelings from festering […]
Supporting Loved Ones: Listen Like a Therapist
Do you have a friend or loved one with anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition? When they open up to you, do you know how to respond? If you want to have helpful conversations with someone you care about who’s going through a tough time, keep reading. The 5-Step Conversation With the right guidance, […]
Self-Care Strategies For Trauma Relief
Trauma recovery may feel hopeless but trust us: you can experience relief. Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event. It might be either a one-time event—such as a natural disaster or robbery—or it might unfold over a period of time like childhood neglect or an abusive relationship. When you’ve experienced trauma, symptoms could […]
