What do you first think of when you think of meditating? Is it sitting cross-legged and humming “ohmmm”? There are a few misconceptions about the practice of meditating. First one being that you need to clear your mind. The practice of meditating is meant to assist people to become present in the moment. You might ask, what does that mean?

Attachment theory suggests that from the time we are born we form bonds and attachments to our caregivers. The strength and nature of these early childhood relationships can inform how our future selves will develop and evolve in relationships. Based on our very early childhood experiences in bonding and attachment we can take a closer look to check out our attachment style and what it can mean for us.

Soulmates, twin-flames, perfect-matches, what do all these terms have in common? What do they all share? It is the idea that there is another person out there who not only understands us but that we are compatible with. Now, compatibility doesn’t sound romantic and people often do say, “opposites attract”. However, hear me out. Although differences of opinion are healthy to an extent they are not necessarily a relationship make.

The most common phrase I hear in working with parents is, “I want my children to get what I was not afforded as a child. I never want my children to need… For Anything! What I needed as a child, I want my children to receive.” Naturally, our initial response would be to see this as heroic, an amazing mindset, and a great desire to have as a parent. Now, what I am about to discuss, I ask that you would have an open mind and take a step back with me… Because this response can be seen from a deeper and wider viewpoint.

Most people have experienced it at some point in their lives but it is difficult for sufferers of anxiety to highlight the differences between anxiety and normal worry. A person who is afflicted with anxiety typically experiences physical symptoms in addition to anxious thoughts. Physical symptoms can manifest in a variation of ways. Such as, sweaty palms, fast heartbeat, upset stomach. Notice that these physical symptoms mirror how a person reacts if they were in danger.

In recent years, therapy has been normalized and encouraged more often than before. Despite this, you may still have some reservations about whether therapy would be beneficial for you. I’d like to remind you that anyone can benefit from the support of a therapist. My hope is that you find a therapist who is inviting, empathetic, and provides a safe space for you. While there is an abundance of information available to show the benefits of therapy, there is also a ton of misinformation out there. Here are five misconceptions about therapy explained.

Do you consider yourself a “yes-person”? Someone who always takes account of others needs and prioritizes them above their own- then do you then feel bogged down and resentful? These could be signs that you may need to practice setting your boundaries.

There is no perfect way to manage stress but there are tools that can help us cope so that we are not overwhelmed. Everyone handles stress differently and it’s okay if it takes some time for you to feel like yourself again. It is very normal to feel an array of emotions when living with stress. Your body will give you the cues to know when you need to rest, relax, or utilize your coping skills. If you’ve noticed you have felt constantly overwhelmed or find it more difficult to wind down at the end of the day, you may be experiencing stress.

This holiday season looks differently than seasons past. We are living through a global pandemic that has shifted the way we normally would engage with our loved ones and the community this holiday season. While many have endured losses, there is a collective endurance of this change. I wanted to offer a few ways to cope during this holiday season.

Self-care is a mindful approach to being aware of your needs and what you need to do to take care of yourself. This includes any activity you intentionally do in order to take care of your mental, emotional, and physical health. Unfortunately, self-care has become a trendy word often synonymous with elitism. The reality is that we all benefit from taking care of ourselves and we get to define the actions, routines, and mindsets we want to include in our self-care plan.