People often ask me what I would have done differently as a parent if I could go back and start over. I can quickly generate a very long list, but of course there is no way to actually know what might or might not have made a difference in preventing or at least reducing their burden of depression and anxiety. As I now witness several of my nieces and nephews entering middle or … [Read more...]
Self-Care is Super-Cool: How to Reduce Anxiety and Take Care of Yourself
Self-care is important in all facets of life, but it is especially vital when dealing with a mental illness. There are so many different ways to achieve self-care, so it’s never too hard to find the perfect fit for you! What is self-care? Self-care is any activity or practice that can ease your mind, clear your head, or just make you feel more calm and peaceful. The … [Read more...]
13 Ways to Get a Grip on Your Anxiety
I had debilitating anxiety for years, and because it stuck around for so long, it caused other issues. I have learned a lot on my mental health journey, and I would like to share my knowledge. Here are 12 ideas and strategies that can help reduce anxiety and all that stems from it. Prepping for School Prepare for and anticipate any of your anxiety triggers, whatever they … [Read more...]
9 Ways to Get Out Of Your Shell and Squash Social Anxiety
You've heard it before but I will say it again - practice makes perfect. This is especially true for social phobia. If we want to eventually reduce our social anxiety, we need to expose ourselves to the very things that make us anxious. We need to take deliberate steps to meet people, try new things, and take risks if we are going to reduce our social anxiety. The good news is, … [Read more...]
The Power of Therapy
Personally, I was never really well-versed on therapeutic and emotional regulation interventions before I studied psychology in college. There is still a negative connotation associated with therapy and this is why a lot of people do not believe that therapy can actually be a very beneficial treatment option for people who need it. Not enough people are educated on the … [Read more...]
I’m My Own Sunshine, and You Should Be Yours, Too
You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. You make me happy when skies are grey. You’ll never know dear, how much I love you. Please don’t take my sunshine away. - Jimmie Davis When we think of sunshine we typically tend to think of warmth, comfort, light, and joy; things that bring us happiness. In this classic song, Davis suggest that whoever this person is, is so full of … [Read more...]
AiT Exclusive Interview: Anxiety, Sex Ed and RealTalk with MyHealthEd Co-Founder Cristina Leos
More than any other time, the teenage years are confusing times. This couldn't ring truer when it comes to sexual education: anxiety about pregnancy, STDs, and body changes abound! Fear not- RealTalk is here to help you with all of your innermost questions and concerns. Best of all, the content is youth-led! Join us for an AiT Exclusive interview with MyHealthEd's Co-Founder, … [Read more...]
Virtually Haunted: How Social Media Stress Took Over My Life
My best friend and I had an emotional and confusing falling out that has extended over the past few years. Obviously, this was not something that was easy to handle, and consequently is something I am still burdened with today. It took a long time for our lingering toxic relationship to fade, and to be honest, despite both of us being pretty dead-set on wanting to move forward, … [Read more...]
4 Steps to Effectively Create a Self-Care Plan
Maintaining health and wellness can become challenging at times regardless of who you are and what your circumstance might be. One way to combat difficult times is by generating a self-care plan - this creates an extra layer of buffer to stress or any overwhelming feeling and can prove to be beneficial to wellbeing. However, self-care plans are personal to the individual, so … [Read more...]
6 Tips to Balancing Your Mental State in College
College is a life-changing period in our lives. It tests our character, mental stability, and our overall self-esteem to get through the toughest of times. With all the commitments, events, academics, and things going on each day, it can be daunting for one to tackle them all. Fortunately, there are solutions and steps to help balance out your mental state. Let’s … [Read more...]
Weathering the Scrupulosity Storm: A Story of OCD, Faith and Healing
My brain was a vortex. Thousands of thoughts, like drops of water, flowed together in a harsh rush of unwelcome emotions. They crashed together, circling down toward an uncertain conclusion, a dark place deep inside of me, from which I believed I could never come up for air. But I was wrong. As real as my feelings of fear, anxiety, sorrow, and hopelessness were, the reality … [Read more...]
You See My Friend
I breathe in once I exhale twice My chest rises and falls But my heart is frozen like ice I think my head is spinning again You see anxiety does not play nice And she brings along all her symptom friends They knock on my always open door I watch them come in then stare at the floor You see I can’t control what she does I can only wait patiently … [Read more...]
Rejection From Every Direction: How to Manage College Application Anxiety
For any college-bound student the year leading up to the application deadlines is extremely stressful. On top of keeping up with classes, studying for entrance exams, and visiting colleges, students have the agonizing task of creating “the list” of schools to which they want to apply. For our anxious student, this time period caused her an enormous amount of fear, uncertainty, … [Read more...]
Two Extremes: My Journey to Managing Disruptive Emotions
I was at a funeral when she told me that I had gotten stronger. She said it in a low voice, one that seemed assured of its own weight and meaningfulness. It was probably meant to be reassuring. It left me feeling like I was the one who belonged in the casket. What she believed about my silence, a radical change from running to her and pouring out my many anxieties in an … [Read more...]
From The Desk Of An Anxious Young Adult: Understanding An Anxious Child
Since I learned to walk anxiety has followed me like a shadow. The pitter patter of baby feet could be too loud if I was not careful. I felt terrible when that shaky, wet, feeling of fear and pain twisted my family into promises I had yet to break, failures I had yet to make. I lived in fear of disappointing everyone. With support, understanding, and honesty my family has … [Read more...]