What’s your secret ingredient for a vibrant (holi)day?
Have you ever thought about how the simplest ingredients in your kitchen can transform not just your meals, but your entire day? I'm talking about spices – those little jars of vibrant flavors that do more than just tickle your taste buds. For a long time, there's been a focus on the importance of breakfast – you've probably heard the saying, “Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper.” But what if we shift that perspective? What if any meal, be it breakfast on a...
Beyond Good Days and Bad: The Neurochemical Secrets of Our Daily Moods
Some days are better than others. (period!) It’s so simple, it almost goes without saying – of course there are good days, not so good days, and all kinds of days in between. Some days, the car breaks down on our way to work. Some days we spend on the beach with our families. Good days make bad days more bearable, and bad days make good days more meaningful – life is balanced in this way. But did you know that some days are better than others regardless of what happens to us? Some days you...
Pleasure & Health: Can You Have Both This Holiday?
English philosopher Jeremy Bentham defined happiness as “The experience of pleasure and absence of pain.” And this time of year – this sacred, sentimental time of year – we often uphold this definition of happiness. We go to parties. We make plans to see family and friends. We give and receive gifts. We seek out the special people, places, and things that give us pleasure. But when I read Jeremy Bentham’s words, I wonder… what is pleasure, and what is pain? We think of these things like they...
Choice and Destiny: The Tale of Two Brothers and the Journey to Understanding Mental Health Freedom
I once heard a powerful parable about a father and his sons: the man, an alcoholic, raised his two boys under one roof. Every day, he would get up, go to work, come home, and drink himself into a fitful slumber. Both boys knew emptiness: empty cupboard, empty beer bottles littering the floor, empty void of parental protection. Unfortunately, one boy grew up to follow in his father’s footsteps. He took his first sip at such an early age that he was addicted before entering high school. His...
What is the cause of my depression?
280 million people worldwide are asking this question every single day. It is a haunting question, a desperate question, with a complicated answer for everyone who wants to know. When asking of themselves, some wo9uld point to major life changes or stressors. Some might lay the blame on coexisting mental illnesses like anxiety or ADHD. Others may have an imbalance of neurotransmitter production that is causing their depression. And still others may believe they are simply destined to have...
Clearing the Mental Mud: Strategies for Positive Brain Health
Ever imagined a day spent entirely in a muddy hole? Waking up, working, eating, and sleeping, all while engulfed in mud. Your clothes, hopelessly stained; mud caked on your skin, under your fingernails, even inadvertently swallowed. It's a relentless, grimy reality. Now, let's pivot from this vivid scenario. Think of it as a metaphor for the constant presence of negativity in our lives. Much like mud, negative thoughts can stick, infiltrate, and taint our daily experiences. Here's where our...
Seeing the Full Picture: How Context Shapes Our Understanding of Bipolar Disorder
I read a joke the other day, and it really stuck with me: “Is 4 a lot? Well, it depends on the context. On Instagram, no. In a dark alley, yes!” Now of course, it’s a joke – but it really got me thinking about the power of context. Only seeing part of the picture really damages our ability to make effective choices. And this is especially true with our mental health. Some disorders – bipolar disorder in particular – can appear as other disorders when we just look at some of the symptoms. Take...
The Uniqueness of You: Nurturing Your Irreplaceable Brain & Body
Do you know that your body is a machine? I have said this before, but it bears repeating. We often forget. Your body lifts. It lunges. It computes. It flexes, darts, dashes, drives… Your body is a beautiful machine – a multitalented, multifunctional tool that allows you to do everything you’ve ever done. Every happy memory, every photo-worthy smile, your brain and body made possible. What makes us different from other machines, though, is that we choose what we put inside ourselves. Cars run...
Balancing Connection and Isolation: The Double-Edged Sword of Our Social Brains in the Digital Age
Did you know that human beings are social by nature?Sure, we all have an introverted coworker who keeps to themselves or a friend who doesn’t like large gatherings. But even the shyest person you know has a brain designed for relationships, full of mirror neurons anticipating and replicating others’ emotions, igniting empathy to bring us together. In fact, human beings are so social that some recent studies have shown prolonged loneliness to be as harmful to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes...
Beyond the Surface: A Deeper Look into the Hidden Struggles of Addiction
“Beyond the Surface: A Deeper Look into the Hidden Struggles of Addiction” delves into the often misunderstood and stigmatized world of addiction. This article sheds light on the complex factors that contribute to addiction, such as genetic makeup, brain adaptations, neurotransmitters, mental illness, and environmental influences. By exploring the intricacies of addiction and the challenges faced by individuals like John, the article emphasizes the importance of compassion, understanding, and open discussion. Learn how we can better support those affected by addiction through education, prevention, and accessible mental health resources. Join the conversation and help break the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction.
Harnessing the Power of Neuroplasticity: 7 Steps to Rewrite Your Brain and Mental Health Journey
You may have heard that every single cell in your body regenerates after 7 years… …that may not be true, but people do certainly undergo magnificent change! For example, the cells in your stomach lining change out as quickly as every two days because they are in contact with the strong chemicals that digest your food. Your skin cells are replaced every two to three weeks, while your skeletal cells regenerate every ten years. The brain does not quite work that way. Some studies say that parts...
Burnout Unmasked: Recognizing the Signs and Restoring Balance in Your Life
Time for a quick mental health quiz… Do you often feel overtired, or even exhausted? Do you feel this way even when your schedule is not too full? Do you often find yourself too tired to spend time with friends and family? Do you frequently experience unexplained headaches or muscle pain? Do you often have a difficult time concentrating, even on simple tasks? Does your daily to-do list feel like a major mountain to conquer? Do you regularly feel irritable or emotionally shaky? Stressed?...
Beyond the Lens: An Autistic Photographer’s Journey to Self-Discovery and Empowerment
Today, I want you to meet Ben. I call Ben my friend, but he is also a patient of mine. (That is not his real name, but this is his real story.) Ben is a photographer. He loves to see the world through the lens of a camera – his photos tell a story that is entirely unique to him. He uses this outlet to communicate his vivid internal world to those around him. Photography isn’t only a hobby for him, though. He has a job that he loves where he gets to connect with others and use his creativity to...
Mastering the Mood: How van Gogh, Munch, and Pollock Channeled Bipolar Disorder into Artistic Greatness
Dive into the captivating world of iconic artists Vincent van Gogh, Edvard Munch, and Jackson Pollock as we explore the powerful connection between their bipolar disorder and artistic creativity. Uncover the profound impact of this mental illness on their lives and learn valuable tips to manage bipolar disorder symptoms for yourself or to support someone you care about. Embrace the resilience and strength in their stories while challenging the stigma surrounding mental health.
Understanding the Change Paradox: Embracing Self-Acceptance and Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers
Discover the powerful paradox of self-acceptance and its role in personal transformation. In this insightful article, we explore how embracing ourselves as we are can lead to profound change, drawing inspiration from the caterpillar’s journey to becoming a butterfly. Furthermore, we tackle common mental health myths, breaking down barriers and eliminating the stigma surrounding mental illness. Join us as we journey through self-discovery and learn to appreciate the beauty in our own transformation.
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