Updated 03/21/2023Journaling has long been recognized as an effective way to reduce stress, help with depression and anxiety, focus your mind, and organize your life. It can be a great tool to use for meditation, to open up, and let go of anxious thoughts that bother you, in a healthy way.One of the best parts of journaling is that it’s something you can do at home, when it’s convenient for you, without needing a lot of time, resources, or skill....

Updated on 3/9/2023Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) is a type of psychotherapy (talk therapy). More specifically, it’s an evidence-based form of the widely-usedcognitive behavior therapy (CBT). DBT is used in individual therapy, group therapy, and in the growing-in-popularity internet-basedonline dialectical behavior therapyor phone therapy. Actually, it’s almost always used in combination of all three of these forms.Dialectical behavioral therapy is different from what most people think of when “therapy” comes to mind, and there are various dialectical behavior therapy techniques that are used during treatment....

Updated 03/21/24Depression, life changes, or a multitude of other life stressors can often leave usfeeling blueand unhappy. Life is full of ups and downs, and the ebbs and flows don’t come and go without our emotions attaching to them. The thing is, feelings are just temporary. If you’re experiencing tough times right now and feeling sad or depressed, know that it’s possible to feel happy again.Rediscovering happiness can sometimes feel like a daunting journey, especially during life’s lows....

Learning to identify and release repressed emotions can be a complex but extremely rewarding and life-changing process. Holding our emotions inside for too long can lead to irrational, unhealthy, even explosive behavior.Keep reading to learn what repressed emotions are and why you might feel the need to hold back your feelings. We’ll look at repressed emotions symptoms and what physical and psychological effects you might be experiencing. We’ll also cover some effective, practical tips for understanding and expressing your feelings properly, so you can learn to live a happier, authentic life....

Have you ever wondered…is stress good or bad? You might be surprised to find out that it can actually be both. Many people are quick to assume thatallstress is bad for you. However, this isn’t always the case. In fact, some types of short-term stress can even motivate you and enhance your performance. That said, like most things in life, too much stress can cause adverse physical and, more importantly, mental health effects....

Updated 03/21/24As a child, was your relationship with your mother (or mother figure) awkward, painful, or difficult? Do you still have a strained relationship or complicated relationship with her? If so, you might have “mommy issues” and thus, experience difficulties maintaining healthy romantic and personal relationships as an adult.While there’s no precise definition of mommy issues, the concept is well-described as:adult psychological challenges that stem from a strained maternal relationship during the formative years....

Updated 3/20/2024 Daddy issues have long been the topic of conversation regarding blanket explanations for relationship troubles, self-esteem and self-worth problems,trust issues, and more. The reality is the relationship you have with your father, the man whose actions you watch (or miss) through your formative years, will likely have a significant impact on your adult life.Though the term “daddy issues” itself doesn’t have a clearly defined history, itisthought to have come from Sigmund Freud’s concept of the “Father Complex” (more on that in a bit)....

What is a Wellness Wheel? Over time, the wheel has grown to include seven categories. Today, the dimensions on the wellness wheel include: physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, environmental, social, and occupational wellness. These are all separate yet interconnected categories that contribute to reaching a balanced life. You can use the wellness wheel periodically to reflect on your progress over time, and it can help you understand what lifestyle changes you may want to start making....

Updated on 5/16/2022Valentine’s Day looks different for every couple, but whether you go all out or make plans to stay in, the goal is to have fun and connect more deeply with your partner.If you’re looking for ways tostrengthen your relationshipor just a new idea, we’ve got some unique (and simple!) Valentine’s Day suggestions for the Talkspace community from our partners atLasting, the nation’s #1 couples therapy app. Updated on 5/16/2022...

You shoot awake from a dead sleep, sweating, heart racing, and short of breath. You have an awful sensation, but you’re not sure why. You feel a deep sense of dread as the walls close in around you. Are you dying? Are you having a heart attack? What is going on?If this describes you, you might be experiencing nocturnal panic attacks (NPA). Having a panic attack at night can be terrifying....

Updated on 1/11/2023Sometimes our relationship with our parents evolves into an unhealthy place that can result in adysfunctional family. This can be in large part because it’s difficult to let go, for both the family member and the child. Family boundaries can help ensure a healthy relationship. Understanding how to set boundaries with parents, however, can be challenging. To set healthy boundaries with anyone in your life, even your parents, you must learn to be direct and firm about your needs, while maintaining respect....

Updated 11/10/2022 Families can be tricky. They’re always there, you don’t get to choose them, and they can be the best,or the most challenging, parts of your life. Sometimes they’re both. Familial relationships can be difficult to navigate, especially if a relationship is overbearing, unhealthy, or causesfamily drama. Setting boundariesis an effective way you can maintain a healthy balance in your relationships with family members. From parents, to siblings, to extended family members, knowing how to set boundaries with family is something we should all learn to do....

Friends are important. They’re the people outside of our families who we share mutually beneficial, rewarding, trusting bonds. Our friendships provide us with the support, love, and nurturing we need to navigate life. They keep us grounded, real, and in touch with our life goals and motivations. No doubt about it: friends can be everything.However, those special relationships can actually become strained over time without definitive friendship boundaries. When boundaries lack or wane, it can cause a disruption in the necessary balance of your relationships....

Learning how to overcome social anxiety can be grueling.Social anxietycan be so powerful that it can cause physical reactions that leave you shaking, dizzy, and terrified of being rejected. People who experience severe social anxiety know that sometimes even justthinkingabout being in a social setting can be overwhelming and excruciatingly painful.Knowing how to get over social anxiety can be so powerful and life-changing, you might feel like a new person. If you find that fear of everyday, common activities are dictating your life, it might be time for you to explore some of the social anxiety tips we’re offering here....

As we approachValentine’s Day, couples are busy making plans to celebrate with romantic dates and big gestures. Maybe you’ve already booked a restaurant, planned an elaborate evening out (or a cozy one in!), or you’ve got something bigger planned, like a special trip or even a proposal. Maybe you don’t have plans at all except tospend quality time together…and that’s ok. Whatever your Valentine’s Day looks like this year, the most important thing is that you and your partner emerge feeling closer at the end....