Anxiety is a common human experience, and it affects all of us to a varying degree. It’s a natural response to help us navigate life’s challenges and stay safe. However, when anxiety becomes excessive, chronic, or irrational, it can significantly impact our well-being. Our brain is wired to keep us safe and help us survive physical dangers, it is not designed to make us happy or give us peace of... Source ..read more

Anxiety is a natural response to stress or danger. It’s our body’s way of preparing for a perceived threat. However, when anxiety becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can take a significant toll on our mental and physical health. It is important to keep in mind that anxiety isn’t really a choice. Anxiety is a reaction to experiences in our environment that results in physical changes in the body... Source ..read more

Have you ever found yourself having a bad day? Then, after a good conversation with a friend that day turns around? Sometimes wise people in our lives give us the advice we need in a difficult moment and it seems to help. If we have these wise sages in our lives why do many of us still go to therapy? And how do we know when to go to therapy or go to coffee with a friend? This distinction can be... Source ..read more

by Emily Mcdonald As fall begins, we can often feel pressure to put in extra time at school or work in the hope that we will succeed. Whether that be putting in extra hours on campus to study for midterms or extra hours at the office so that we can get the promotion we have been working hard for. It seems like there is this pressure from society that we have to put in the extra hours in order to... Source ..read more

by Lindsay Hildebrand This time of year always comes with mixed feelings for me. On one hand, I’m enjoying summer, spending extra time with my kids, extra time with friends, and weekends away on camping trips. On the other hand, I am excited that the beginning of September brings new routines, cooler weather, and I start refocusing on goals that may have faded into the haze of summer. However... Source ..read more

A few years ago, I bought several pairs of running shoes that did not work for me. With each increasingly more expensive purchase, I was convinced that this pair was going to be the pair for me. There was one brand of shoes that I refused to look at. I thought they were ugly, so I dismissed them. Yet, when injuries started to pile up and after almost 6 months of rest without being able to run... Source ..read more

Imagine driving down the road and suddenly a large vehicle cuts into your lane causing you to slam on the brakes. Your car is not hit, but a large piece of gravel strikes your windshield. You hear a loud smack, and a crack begins to form. If you live in the Canadian prairies this is not very difficult to imagine as this happens several times each winter. Often this sets off a chain of events that... Source ..read more

One of the more common experiences I have with clients is working through the shame they experience because of their perceived failure as a parent. It is not uncommon for parents struggling with challenges in their own lives to lament and feel trapped because they are convinced their own problems are getting in the way of their children’s lives. While there is some truth to this, in that we can... Source ..read more

How is it that community can insulate us from stress and promote mental health? We all know the reverse, when community contributes to negative mental health: through bullying, isolation, fear, and oppression. However, we also know that community has the ability to promote positive ways of coping and help us navigate difficult periods of life. In reality, it all starts before we are even born. Source ..read more

“Being able to feel safe with other people is probably the single most important aspect of mental health; safe connections are fundamental to meaningful and satisfying lives… social support is the most powerful protection against becoming overwhelmed” – Bessel van der Kolk Social connectedness, or community is likely the most important part of sustaining mental health. So often when we talk about... Source ..read more