Capitalizing on the good days: How weather can impact motivation and mental health

Capitalizing on the good days: How weather can impact motivation and mental health

It’s no secret that the weather has an impact on our mood. Over the last few months, clients have shared concerns with lack of motivation, increased sadness, and overall negative mood. The climate in which we live gives way for dark, cold, and dreary months during the winter which most people refer to as the “winter blues”. I talk with my clients about Seasonal Depression and how it is highly relevant to that time of year. They report not wanting to get out of bed, struggle to complete everyday tasks and even the thought of leaving the home is dreadful. Though this season feels like it goes on forever, you may have noticed slightly warmer and sunnier days. These days may have felt much lighter or “happier” to you which means Spring is here. The trees are blooming, it’s getting darker later in the evening, and nature is coming back to life! How exciting?!

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4 Ways To Develop Emotional Awareness

4 Ways To Develop Emotional Awareness

When traveling a year ago, I saw someone wearing a t-shirt that said, “Emotions Destroy Everything”.  Oh boy.  This made me and those who I was traveling with laugh because we all could relate a little too well.  When thinking about feeling emotion, it honestly seems easier to just not let yourself feel. Feeling emotion takes time, energy, is messy, and can really feel just plain down uncomfortable.  It seems easier to just push the emotions away, to push them down or push them out.  They seem more like a nuisance than helpful.  This may be how you feel too.  But do emotions really destroy everything?  Let’s take a minute to explore this.

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From Inside Out 2: Five Tips on Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

From Inside Out 2: Five Tips on Managing Back-to-School Anxiety

Whether you’re a sixth grader, college student, school administrator, or family member of one of the above, you’re likely busy preparing for the upcoming school year. Sometimes, your anxiety can become more active as that first day comes closer. You may find yourself anticipating what could go wrong, being more reactive with your family than usual, or losing sight of the things that normally give you joy.

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