Beyond its practical benefits, knitting can also calm the mind and help with stress relief. This kind of crafting can positively affect the brain when coping with depression and anxiety. Guido Mieth/Getty ImagesDepression, Anxiety, & Crafting I was home from work on a sick day when I got a call from the head of human resources: After 27 years with my company, I was being “downsized.” I spent most of the next few days at my sewing machine, completing at least half a dozen Christmas gifts and a baby present. I tried not to think about the layoff except when friends called or stopped by to ch ..read more

When the clock is ticking and I have to be somewhere, my stress level goes through the roof. To stabilize before emotional paralysis sets in, I manage my schedule, emotions, and mind. Photo: Nikada / iStock/Getty Images Plus via Getty ImagesTime Pressure There is one trigger that has the power to absolutely paralyze me: TIME. All my life, it seems I’ve tended to get very stressed out with anything having to do with time. Maybe it’s the fear my parents put into me to make sure I never missed the school bus or was late for school! Recently, I’ve been dealing with a deadline for a REALLY BIG proj ..read more

Whether you’re a reluctant reader or a proud bibliophile, taking time to unwind with a book can provide more than peace of mind. Stress & “Bibliotherapy” Read a good book lately? With so many devices competing for our attention these days—binge-watching our favorite streaming shows, scrolling through social media sites, playing games on our smartphones—taking the time to devour an actual novel or biography during our downtime seems downright anachronistic. All is not lost, however. According to the Pew Research Center, the statistics around American reading habits have remained relati ..read more

The hands-on act of baking encourages mindfulness, engages the senses, and can ease depression, calm anxiety, and relieve stress. Baking in Fast-Paced, Anxious Times We throw in shredded carrots, raisins, squash, spinach, chia seeds, and bananas, hiding as many healthy ingredients as possible in the “toddler muffins” we are making. Finally, we pour everything into mini-muffin cups and watch our creations rise in the oven. Our house grows fragrant with cinnamon and pumpkin pie spice. Baking has always delighted me, allowing me to feel relaxed and productive at the same time. Now, with two young ..read more

Ever catch yourself stress-eating a whole bag of chips and think, “Why did I do this? I wasn’t even hungry!” You’re not alone—we’ve all succumbed to “stress hunger.” Here’s how to spot it—and stop it—next time! Every year, our local NAMI chapter sets up wellness conferences in celebration of Mental Health Awareness. This past year, I was asked to present my workshop, “How to Stop Stress-Eating,” which is based on the books I’ve written. It has been a while since I’ve written on this subject, so I thought it would be good information to share again. What Is “Stress Hunger”? First, let’s think ..read more

Being around growing things helps well-being bloom. We have some ideas on how to get started, even if you have a “brown” thumb. Growing for Good It’s that time of year, when gardeners start collecting seed packets, pulling watering cans and trowels out from storage, and closely following the daily weather report. They know how to nurture seedlings and cultivate blooms—but studies reveal that these folks are also cultivating their own well-being. Being around green, growing things is now recognized as an effective way to reduce stress, perhaps as beneficial as some types of cognitive behavioral ..read more

A broken leg left me vulnerable to negative emotions. I coped by practicing acceptance, praying for strength, and accepting support with gratitude. Injured, Again This couldn’t be happening. Again. When the surgeon brought the CT scan to my emergency room bedside, I could clearly see two breaks spiraling down my lower right leg. I felt like I was in a rerun of a really bad movie. Flashbacks of a younger me hurrying with groceries between my detached garage and little blue house, then slipping, then snapping, played on the screen of my mind.  Seventeen years and a sickening skid on my fron ..read more

After a stressful event, you might think you’re in the clear. But stress, like an earthquake, triggers waves of exhaustion. Recovery requires recognizing what’s happening. Waking Up Exhausted Isn’t Always from Depression When my alarm went off at 5:00 this morning, I woke up feeling paralyzed…. I couldn’t move to get out of bed. It’s a good thing I didn’t have to be anywhere, so I reset my alarm to 6 a.m. Then, the SAME thing happened.… I felt stuck, like I was in cement! One more time, I reset my alarm—this time I had to make myself get up because I had to travel somewhere. The good news: It ..read more

Stressing out about finances? These strategies can help you take control of your wallet—and your worries. Editor’s Update February 2022—As we collectively and individually come to grips with the ever-evolving uncertainty that has persisted worldwide since the early days of the pandemic, our worries seem to—surprisingly—hold fairly steady. The risk assessments we grapple with vary in intensity from one day to the next, but, as a whole, we are still concerned with making ends meet. Prior to 2020, survey results consistently showed that Americans worried about their finances—jobs, the economy, an ..read more

When your living space is messy, stress accumulates like dust. Here’s how to clear the clutter, handle hard emotions, and begin to feel greater peace of mind. Clean Slate “Clutter dampens the spirit.” So says certified feng shui practitioner Gayle. Feng shui (pronounced “fung shway”) is an ancient Chinese philosophy that promotes harmony within one’s environment. It’s based on the idea that an energy known as qi (also spelled chi) flows through every living being—and throughout rooms and buildings as well. Proper spatial orientation produces good qi. Discordant surroundings produce bad qi, whi ..read more