• Examples of Unhealthy Expectations in a Relationship

    It’s been said that expectation is the thief of joy. Certainly, if your expectations are well-worn and rigid, when reality comes along, it just might not fit the bill. Many times in life, people become disappointed and frustrated because what they expected out of situations or other people didn’t pan out. Placing heavy expectations on yourself can also stifle creativity or increase your stress levels too. All this isn’t to say that expectations are altogether bad or unhealthy. However, [...]

  • Recovering from Codependency by Building Personal Boundaries

    Recovering from codependency is possible, but it’s not always easy. We remain locked into codependent relationships for many reasons, even when we know how they are damaging us. Being so closely tangled up with another person who relies on us, and on whom we can rely, is like having dopamine on tap. We have quick access to a feel-good emotional drug, and that can be addictive. The term “codependency” was first used in the context of Alcoholics Anonymous to [...]

  • Freedom from the Codependency Trap: Navigating Codependent Relationships and Communication

    Communication is a skill that all humans need to navigate life and relationships. There are conditions in our lives that can hijack our communication and hold us hostage to a mindset that disrupts connection instead of facilitating it. We see this when exploring the nature of codependency. Codependency is the state of being mutually reliant. For example, a relationship between two individuals who are emotionally dependent on one another. Codependent relationships are often characterized by dysfunction in which one [...]

  • 14 Ways to Manage Stress

    Do you feel overwhelmed by too much to do and not enough time to do it? Are you dealing with a difficult situation at home or work? Do you have unexplained aches and pains, and/or feel tired all the time? Are you feeling all stressed out? If your answer to any of these questions is yes, this article on ways to manage stress may provide you with some much-needed encouragement and hope. Stress is that gap that is [...]

  • OCD Help: Practical Ways to Cope with Intrusive Thoughts

    If you’re reading this article, you’re likely interested in learning more about how to manage your obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms more effectively (especially intrusive thoughts). You may have tried a lot of different ways to manage your symptoms without success, but that’s why it’s important to try different strategies. OCD help is highly individual and what works for one person might not work for you. Finding OCD Help: 8 Practical Tips Here are a few ideas you may not [...]

  • How to Cope with Empty Nest Syndrome When Children Leave for College

    When a child leaves for college, feelings of empty nest syndrome can be overwhelming. The house suddenly feels quieter, and one’s daily routine has changed. It is okay to feel sad or uncertain about this change. If you are in this situation, you may be wondering how you are going to align with the new normal and what to do with the extra time and space. Worry no more because this is exactly what this article will help you [...]

  • 5 Affirmations for Building Self-Esteem

    We all struggle with feelings of low self-worth from time to time. Even the people who appear confident and self-assured are often covering up for feeling “not good enough.” Things like past traumatic experiences, emotional abuse in a relationship, or poor parenting are some of the things that impact our self-esteem. Sometimes, though, we say negative things about ourselves, and that fuels our feelings of low self-esteem. In this article, we'll look at some positive tips for building self-esteem. [...]

  • Why Am I Eating This? Causes of Stress Eating

    Many things in life will cause your stress to rise. Often, your response to this stress is to grab a snack. This is one of the most diagnosed responses to stress. Adults often admit that this has become a habit. Stress eating can have many negative health effects such as diabetes and high blood pressure. It is important to understand stress eating and how to overcome this habit. We must also remember that we were not created to worry. [...]

  • Four Ways Anger Can Be a Good Thing

    Anger is a powerful emotion. It is one of the most common emotions, especially during challenging circumstances. People tend to become angry when a situation is out of their control or a situation does not deliver a favorable outcome, despite prayer or other pleas for help. However, there are only a few resources out there that help people understand how to control or resolve their anger. These resources often treat the emotion as a negative issue that can lead [...]