It’s normal to feel anxious when socially isolated and uncertain of the future. As mentioned in my previous article regarding the pandemic, we can’t control the virus but we can control our response to it. Progressive muscle relaxation is one of many tools we can use to help us stay calm and relaxed. Mayo clinic, among other well renowned mental healh sites, recommends using this technique before bedtime to help induce sleep. It can also be used during stressful points in our day, or to help us stay grounded and centered. Like most skills, it takes practice and time to to be used effectively. During this pandemic, I will offer other calming strategies in my blogs. Take care and be well. This article is from “Between Sessions”.

When we make a mistake, do we usually beat ourselves up, or do we have the attitude that we’ll do better next time? Each of these responses is a reflection of our underlying self-esteem. Fortunately, we can choose to change our attitudes and interrupt self-defeating thoughts and behaviors utilizing Cognitive Behavior Therapy. The following GoodTherapy article by Cedar Barstow, MEd, CHT, outlines these cognitive strategies. More Here.

Fear is a normal reaction to perceived dangerous situations. But what if we are perceiving danger where it doesn't exist? And, how do we respond when it does? The following article from Good Therapy, "4 Steps to Break Free from Fear," offers some useful strategies. More Here.

Problems in life are inevitable. Resilience means we have the internal emotional strength to address and recover from the difficulties life throws at us. Consider the comments and suggestions from the following Good Therapy article on resiliency. More Here.

Addressing underlying feelings of shame is critical in recovering from feelings of inadequacy and low self-worth. Good Therapy offers insight on how to understand and address this problem. More Here.

Feeling sad? Everyone feels that way at times. The good news is that we can do something about "our baseline of happiness" as described in this article from Good Therapy. Making a conscious choice to incorporate these "7 habits" into your lifestyle can be a good place to begin. More Here.