Updated 08/17/23When we think about meaningful relationships, the thought generally focuses on something romantic. But there are actually many different types of relationships that are just as important, such as the love and consideration for one’s parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, children, and grandchildren, as well as the connection between two good friends. These platonic relationships provide valuable emotional bonds between two people that are rooted in shared interests, beliefs, and world-views....

In need of a little me-time? Zoning out feels like low-stakes self-care. So does popping open an extra bag of Pirate’s Booty — at least you’re not chugging vodka, right? Scrolling through Instagram for three hours takes your mind off a bad work day.Scandalis best binge-watched, and dedicating an entire day (or two, or three) toThe Simsis the only way to win theLegacy Challenge.There’s no harm in distracting yourself occasionally. Holing up for one weekend to ram throughRed Dead Redemption 2won’t cause too many negative implications — but if you’re wasting every weekendandevery evening on distractions, you might find yourself floundering physically, emotionally and socially....

Drug abuse, especially opioids, is a culture-wide problem. It is estimated that about130 people die daily in the US due to opioid overdose. While this statistic alone doesn’t capture the totality of of all substances use, it demonstrates the depths of the substance abuse crisis around the country. Sexual minorities, such asLGBTQpeople, are often at higher risk for substance abuse issues, making these groups particularly vulnerable. Why Are LGBTQ People Impacted More Frequently?...

Addictionis a complex process with numerous variables at play, buttraumamay be one of the most important of those variables. By understanding the connection between trauma and addiction, problems can be better treated.Unfortunately, the mental health field didn’t adequately recognize trauma’s impact on mental health until the last century. The problem drew more attention once mental health professionals saw more and more “shell shocked” soldiers after World Wars I and II.Since then, we’ve come to understand that trauma isn’t limited to soldiers....

After a summer of rosé all day, you might be feeling like it’s time totake a break from alcohol. Even if you’re not fall-down drunk, you still might be sick of hangovers or too many days when you just feel a little off.You’re not alone. The “sober curious” trend is quickly gaining traction thanks to books likeSober CuriousandThis Naked Mind. “Sobriety influencers” are sharing the ups and downs of what a sober or “sober curious” life looks like....

Have you ever found yourself deep in a good old fashion sobfest for reasons you can’t articulate? Or maybe you’ve literally felt your blood boil for too many reasons to pinpoint. Perhaps you’ve been caught in the crossfire of emotions and feelings at work.Most therapists will tell you that emotions are natural and very human, but it’s sometimes a choice to actually feel your feelings.Wait, aren’t emotions and feelings the same thing?...

Opening up can be frightening. Sure, maybe you can share your struggles with your partner or spouse — but your friends andfamily? That can be much harder. Even opening up to a trained and licensed therapist can be tough, if you’re not used to it. But you’re not alone: many people grapple with vulnerability.If you tend to keep things bottled up or ignore problems, it’s important to learn how to be vulnerable....

Updated on 9/15/2022 Whether it’s familial or job burnout, severe burnout can affect a person’s mental health, work life balance, and well-being. Burnout hurts productivity, but the effects go much deeper than just a lack of efficiency. It can also have lasting health impacts, increasing the risk forcardiovascular disease,depression,high blood pressure, andtype 2 diabetes. Because burnout can creep up on you and become the new normal, it’s important to become aware of the signs....

Updated on 10/01/2020 To be honest, I was pretty proud of the self-deprecating joke until I saw the horrified look on her face. I began to think about the convenient wall that my self-deprecating sense of humor allowed me to put up between my emotions and my interactions. While it is good to be able to find the humor in life, striking the right balance is important. There have been countless studies outlining the benefits of being able to laugh at yourself, and, I will admit, self-deprecation — which isdefinedas the tendency to disparage or undervalue oneself — has its place....

There are many different perspectives on what constitutes humor, from deadpan to slapstick to insult, there tends to be a lot of variability in how people express their humor. Where do you draw the line between “just joking” and offensive humor? That’s up for each person to decide, but if you have found someone’s jokes distasteful here are some tips how to confront someone whose humor you consider offensive. Step One: Do A Self-Check In, How Are You Feeling?...

No one ever expects to find themselves in the process of getting a divorce, but unfortunately this is an experience that many people may experience. It can be an isolating and painful experience and it’s important tohave a strong support systemduring this sometimes disruptive and difficult transition. Divorce’s Impact on Mental Health Many people experience distress during major life transitions.Whether it’s a new job or moving to another state, changes are tough to cope with....

A few years ago, my boyfriend broke up with me because of my mental illness. To be more specific, I was dumped because of the behavior my mental illness was causing, and the strain it took on our relationship. It was one of my biggest fears come true, to be “too much to handle” in a relationship.I’d beenstruggling with depressionfor years prior to the relationship, but while we were together, I was going through one of my darkest and lowest points ever — having mood swings and sobbing at the snap of a finger....

When I look back at my quasi-relationships that haven’t worked out, I can see a common denominator. I was going after guys who were emotionally unavailable (let’s be real:beyondemotionally unavailable).For one example, I was almost in love with someone who had so many red flags he could have been an air traffic controller. He was an hour late to our first date, and chronically late after that…(the first red flag). Giving him the benefit of the doubt, I continued to see him....

You know the saying: “Secret secrets are no fun unless you share with everyone.”While not everyone gets a kick out of keeping secrets, a lot of peopledodeem secret-keeping necessary, whether they’re hiding something from their romantic partner, family, or friends. People keep secrets for a multitude of reasons. Maybe they feel embarrassed or shame about something, they feel they might get in trouble (with the law or with a person), or they feel like theirrelationshipwith somebody might be destroyed should the big secret be revealed....

1. Schedule a Monthly Date Night My husband and I know our weekends will book up if we aren’t careful, so we have a recurring calendar invite for “date night” the first Saturday of every month. We’ve made a pact to not to schedule over date night and if we absolutely must do something else that night, we reschedule date night for later in the month.Date night is especially important if one or both of you travel for work....