Individuals struggling to make decisions may often experience distress and uncertainty about which path to take going forward. While this may seem daunting to some, there are strategies that can help overcome this obstacle, allowing you to make decisions with more confidence. Here are five tips that can help ease the decision-making process. 1. List out the Pros and Cons When faced with a tough decision, it’s easy for our thoughts to race, making it challenging to properly assess the situation. In these cases, taking a moment to create a list of pros and cons can be beneficial. Clearly ..read more

  It is no secret that the environments we spend time in can have a profound impact on our wellbeing. It is also not surprising to hear that for most North Americans, the vast majority of our time is spent indoors, whether it is at a place of work, at home, or otherwise. Since the industrial revolution, there is a general sense that humans have ‘lost touch with nature,’ lamenting the positive connection we shared with the natural world since time immemorial. As such, research investigating the potential benefits offered by spending time in nature has sprung up. It has been demonstrated th ..read more

  In the journey toward mental health and well-being, one of the most significant steps is seeking professional support through therapy, however, it’s a decision that often comes with many questions and uncertainties. This blog post aims to guide you through some crucial aspects of this process.   How do I know if I need therapy? Recognizing the need for therapy is a personal and often introspective process. If you find yourself consistently struggling with overwhelming emotions, persistent sadness, anxiety, or challenges in daily functioning, it might be an indicator that therapy co ..read more

  In the era of constant connectivity, social media has become an unavoidable part of our lives. Whether it be for work, entertainment, or as a source of information, social media has found its way into nearly every part of the digital world. While it offers numerous benefits, it also can also come with its share of drawbacks. Some of the Benefits: Staying Connected in a Busy World. Life moves at an ever-increasing pace, and finding time to connect with friends and family can be a challenge. Social media can be a convenient platform to share life updates, photos, and milestones. It allow ..read more

As we begin a New Year many of us find ourselves filled with hope and determination, ready to embark on a journey of self-improvement through New Year’s resolutions. However, statistics show that a significant number of resolutions are abandoned within the first few weeks. So, how can we help increase the likelihood that our aspirations for the coming year become a reality? Setting Realistic and Specific Goals: The foundation of successful resolutions lies in setting realistic and achievable goals. Vague resolutions like “make time for self-care” or “be healthier” are less likely to succeed ..read more

There are predictable times of year, often over holidays, that our family situation or dynamics feel put under a microscope. Perhaps its experiencing renewed grief over lost loved one, or conflict conflict with a family member. Having this against the expectation of sharing a positive holiday together can be too much. Learning to Emotionally Surf Jon Kabat-Zinn, referred to as “the father of mindfulness,” reminds us that “you can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf.” At the holidays, it is worth checking in with ourselves about anticipated challenges we may need to face, and preparing ..read more

  Recently, the world has been faced with a number of conflicts.  For those of us outside of the direct conflict zone, many have been touched personally by these world events, and others may react with deep concern for the victims and the future state of global affairs.  Here are 5 small things you can do to try and manage your distress during these times.   Concentrate on Manageable Aspects: Our brain is like a “problem-solving machine” and often wants to try and manage problems when they occur.  This is difficult when the situation is out of our control, and we are ..read more

As many pandemic restrictions begin to ease, some of us may be asked, or are already planning, to return to the office. Some may be excited about the prospect, while others may find the idea of yet another change to their lifestyles to be anxiety-inducing. Making a change is often associated with uncertainty and stress – returning to the office is a significant change in how many of us have been living our lives over the past 18 months. Here are five tips to help you manage that stress as you make your return to the office. Communication: Communication is key. If there is a significant amount ..read more

The pandemic has made us revisit what a meaningful life is. You can read the first post on this here. How do we manage our social lives? Internet memes circulating at the beginning of the pandemic encouraged us to “look out for the extroverts in your life,” highlighting that lockdown for extroverts is like taking sunlight or water away from plants – and this may cause distress. Moreover, as lockdown continued, those who identify as introverted have started to realize that they too require social connection more than they may have realized. Now that there are provincial roadmaps being proposed ..read more

On February 25, Dr. Noah Lazar gave a talk with the Oakville Chamber of Commerce on mental health and resilience. You can watch the session in the video below.     A list of Mental Health Resources Halton associated with this talk is also available.   The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your mental health provider or physician with any questions that you have regarding mental health concerns. If you think you hav ..read more