Seasonal Depression

Seasonal Depression is real. Especially as the seasons change, it gets cold and the sun isn’t out as much. Often times are bodies have memories, and sometimes they aren’t the good ones around the holidays. Here is a short helpful article on how to help yourself stay emotionally healthy during this time.

https://www.npr.org/2023/11/03/1210390391/seasonal-depression-symptoms-light-treatment#:~:text=Rachel%20Treisman-,Winter%20is%20coming.,treat%20%E2%80%94%20signs%20of%20seasonal%20depression&text=Neal%2FGetty%20Images-,Experts%20say%20anyone%20can%20get%20seasonal%20affective%20disorder%2C%20though%20geography,may%20make%20people%20more%20susceptible.&text=The%20days%20are%20getting%20shorter,least%20in%20the%20Northern%20Hemisphere.

Quick tips:

  1. Move your body

  2. Drink water

  3. Eat some vitmain C or take an additional vitamin

  4. Get outside for a walk or a nice sit on your patio during the day light hours

  5. Invest in a Therapy Lamp https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/health-products/g32980654/best-light-therapy-lamps/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=arb_ga_ghk_md_pmx_us_urlx_19597983321&gclid=CjwKCAiA0syqBhBxEiwAeNx9N1py4eXd7gUOet7-xuWA-RhuCk2qHCg2a8a22TLa6yzuIiiMwBWb_RoCBqYQAvD_BwE

  6. Talk with a therapist or doctor

Emotional Agility

I recently listened to this podcast about emotional agility and emotional rigidity. It was very helpful to be reminded that are feelings are just “data” points. They are not who we are. We as individuals are too complex to be one single feeling or one single attribute. Yes we can feels both happy and sad at the same time. This podcast was empowering to know that we don’t have to be afraid of emotions in fear that we will be taken over by them or that they have some magical power over us. We can feel them and then decide what to do with them. Take a listen.

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-harvard-psychologist-teaches-us-how-to-increase/id1606984662?i=1000583130294

Being a mom

Being a parent is hard. Being a parent is rewarding. I have so many individuals in my practice share with me that they have neglected themselves or their marriage to give their time to their kids. I get it, I feel so much guilt taking a work call, working out, or even taking a shower at times when my daughter is awake and wants to play. However, you need your time alone for self care and your child

This article talks about how errands (going to Target by yourself, or just taking a shower alone) is NOT self care. Don’t get me wrong these things are nice, but also are part of just maintaining life. Self care are the fun, nurturing things that give back into us.

https://www.mother.ly/life/errands-are-not-self-care/superfood-honey

This article has several practical and creative ways to set up daily self care!

http://simplywholemoms.com/blogs/mom-self-care-during-quarantine

"Feeling Memory"

“Feeling Memory” is the sensation that you get when the feeling you are having is familiar but then you realize that it is out of place for the situation and experience that you are having in that moment. These “feeling memories” can be triggers to great conversations, but often time they lead to an argument between partners when they are not identified, talked about and readjusted.

https://lifehacker.com/what-is-a-feeling-memory-and-how-do-you-know-youre-hav-1849349258

About EMDR

Exercise can be more beneficial for some......

A client recently sent me this article about how exercise can be more beneficial for those with a brain that have certain brain signals. Those that have a greater levels of reward system can benefit more from exercising than those with a low reward system. Everyone is so different and this article shows that what can work for one person may not always work for someone else.

https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/exercise-depression-treatment-study

What is EMDR?

I have started my EMDR journey as a therapist. I first learned about this therapy method in graduate school about 10 years ago and I was instantly intrigued by what it could do for a person’s mental health and I couldn’t wait till my turn to participate in this method. I am EMDR trained and now have started the 10 month certification process with a consultant. Here is a link to the EMDRIA website with a short video describing what EMDR is and how it works.

https://www.emdria.org/news-and-announcements/new-what-is-emdr-therapy-video/

Resources during the Covid-19

Several people have asked me how to cope with these difficult times of isolation and the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression. I have compiled some articles that have useful information and a ton of resources (meditation apps, exercise apps, nutrition tips, and activities).

Anxiety and Depression:

https://www.dmagazine.com/health-fitness/2020/04/dallas-therapists-share-tips-for-coping-with-anxiety-and-depression/

Resources: https://lifehacker.com/where-to-find-free-mental-health-resources-during-the-p-1842561439

Workbook: https://thewellnesssociety.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Coronavirus-Anxiety-Workbook.pdf

Children:

https://consciousdiscipline.com/

https://theparentcue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Anxiety_CG_Preschool.pdf

https://theparentcue.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Anxiety_CG_Elementary.pdf

https://theparentcue.org/managing-fear-and-anxiety-during-a-health-pandemic/?fbclid=IwAR33hhV10TkqsfZAIAfnvjdbwGRDuR0Snqc8uB1qi88V-cz4zE3BlcQREe8&utm_source=KG-Parents&utm_campaign=57f53ea414EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_21_02_04&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_d40131de09-57f53ea414-235316337

https://offspring.lifehacker.com/how-to-burn-off-that-little-kid-energy-1842620326

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-to-work-from-home-partner-kids_l_5e68fb3ec5b68d61645e6789

Marriage:

https://www.gottman.com/blog/redefining-individuality-and-togetherness-during-quarantine/

https://www.gottman.com/blog/24-dates-you-can-try-at-home/

Podcast: https://www.foreplayrst.com/2020/04/02/224-connecting-during-covid/

Myers-Brigg Personality Type and Spending Habits

This article talks about how our personality styles effect our view on money and how we spend it. Many couple’s come in disagreeing on how they need to spend their money. This article explains that many of our differences are normal and to take into account that there isn’t one “right” way to view money.

https://blog.mint.com/everyday-triumphs/money-personality-type/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MyMint+%28Mint+Personal+Finance+Blog%29