finding balance
Completing the 2019 Philadelphia Half Marathon is one of my greatest accomplishments. The race took place on a chilly November morning, but the bike ride from my apartment to the event site filled my body with warmth. At the starting line, I observed the nervous, excited energy of myself and the other runners as we [...]
Each year, September brings a slight chill to Pennsylvania, generating anticipation for changing leaves, crisp air, bulky sweaters, and hot apple cider. It also brings a deeper sense of purpose and passion to those acknowledging September as National Suicide Prevention Month. All month, individuals around the world work together to spread suicide prevention awareness. Suicide [...]
I'm not worth it. There's no use. I can't do it. I'll never follow through. People won't like me. Others are better than I am. I am not enough. I must be perfect. I am a failure. The world is evil. All people are bad. If these phrases sound similar to your thoughts, you may [...]
Yoga students may present with a variety of physical health concerns, such as chronic pain or injury. As a yoga instructor, it is important to become familiar with student histories so that the teacher can ensure the yoga studio remains a safe space for students. Overall, engagement in yoga practice has been consistently increasing in [...]
Anyone who has been keeping up to date with my story knows that within the past two years I have worked incredibly hard to overcome my struggles with depression. In 2019, I went from wanting to die to feeling like my best self, and I established goals that would allow me to continue on a [...]
In April 2019, I began a daily dose of Prozac to assist in managing depression. A small, 20mg white pill played a big role in helping me function again. I found that my depressive symptoms eased enough for me to start taking better care of myself, and as I started feeling better, my passion for [...]
A therapist's office is intended to be a safe, warm space that allows for others to express and process patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. It's a place where people go to feel better. As a helping professional, I have the privilege of being part of the personal development and growth of my clients. I [...]
There are several actions that occur in our body without clear direction and effort from our brain. A heart beat, for example, is a powerful and- barring any serious health issues- automatic rhythm that plays a vital role in keeping our bodies alive. My brain always visualizes Osmosis Jones running around inside my body to [...]
Anyone can experience sadness, grief, and despair (assuming one has the emotional capacity), but not everyone will experience depression. Depression is characterized by loss of interest, lack of pleasure, changes in appetite or sleep, irritability, low energy, decreased mood, among other symptoms that can have a severe impact on daily life. Try to picture being [...]
Identify potential triggersIdentify your emotionsTake a walk Call a friend Practice deep breathing Meditate for 5-10 minutes Draw a cartoonWrite 5 things you love about yourself Stretch for 10 minutes Go for a run Play with a pet Make a playlist of feel good songs Listen to your feel good songs Dance Paint a representation [...]
