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For most people the sound of chewing, typing, utensil scraping and breathing are background sounds. They are just a part of life and certainly do not produce an emotional response. However, for some people, hearing these sounds lead to feelings of anger. [More]

Brushing problems under the rug or stuffing hurt feelings to avoid a conflict will likely do more harm than good. Those issues and feelings never really go away, they just go underground. Giving our partner the “silent treatment” may result in silence, but also results in no communication. As much as we may dislike or fear conflict, being able to do it well is essential for a healthy relationship. [More]

As I delve ever deeper into the mind-body connection to my health I have become increasingly aware of how little responsibility we tend to take of our lives and our health. To react to the influences in our lives makes us human, but I’ve discovered that we choose which path our reaction ultimately takes no matter how much we may feel the opposite. We can take the path of peace, calm and use a little common sense and wisdom which will lead us in the direction of health or we can take the path of anger, hurt, anxiety and stress which ultimately leads us to illness and dis-ease. [More]

Bullying is something that has been in the news a lot more often as of late. With the internet, it has become much more difficult for us to figure out whether or not our child(ren) are getting bullied at school or on the internet. So what can we do in order to make sure that our children are kept safe? How can we help our children to learn that they are worthwhile so that they can live the lives that they deserve to have? [More]

Working out is a superb way to manage anxiety, depression, and anger. It is also a useful adjunct to manage addiction, PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder), and insomnia. It has been noted that mental health providers are slowly recognizing this, and are advised to include it as part of a treatment plan (Weir, 2011). The exact mechanism by which exercise improves mood is unclear- it may be partly due to increased catecholamines- the brain chemicals serotonin, dopamine, and norephinephrine- which can all elevate mood (Mayo Clinic, 2014). Release of beta-endorphins, the natural opiates produced by the brain are also a likely cause (Mental Health Foundation, 2013). [More]

Some people have some issues with their relationships, but sometimes, they get to a point where people really struggle and they could be in an abusive relationship. If you are in a relationship that is having troubles, and you aren't sure if you could consider it to be an abusive relationship, that's why I've written this article. Let's take a closer look at abusive relationships, how you can discover whether or not you are in one, and how to get out if you have to do so. This information can help save you from a lot of hurt, so it's important that you read it. [More]

Millions of men, women, and children are affected by domestic abuse every single year, and it's important that we understand what it is and how it can affect people for the rest of their lives. So, in this article, we're going to define domestic abuse and explore how it can affect those involved for the long term. [More]

The United States is currently involved in a number of combat situations in the Middle East, particularly in Iraq and Afghanistan. There is increasing awareness among researchers and mental health professionals that there are a number of health and mental health problems that returning veterans are experiencing in their return from combat. Many returning veterans are presenting to medical professionals with emotional distress that is primarily being attributed to their experiences in these violent situations. Researchers are beginning to analyze what this means for this demographic, and how to best assist them in navigating the difficulties that they are experiencing. [More]

When you are sat down by a doctor and explained that you have an incurable medical condition that could become completely debilitating to you, cause you daily pain, and change every aspect of your life, you die. Your physical life has died, your career has died, your ability to care for your family has died, your ability to enjoy the intimacy between yourself and your partner has died. But your lungs still breath air, your heart still pumps, and you must create a completely new life in spite of your medical conditions. [More]

The title of this article is actually a quote from Lama Surya Das in his book, Awakening the Buddha Within (1997). I was so stuck by the simple wisdom of this statement that I posted it on my computer at work, and my refrigerator at home, as a frequent reminder of the dangers of hanging on to things that are better let go. But letting go of feelings, people or situations that are destructive to us, or out of our control, is easier said than done. We hold on and attach for lots of different reasons, but learning to let go and detach in healthy ways can help restore our sense of peace and our relationships with others. [More]