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self improvement Tag

Heather Edwards Mental Health Counseling / Posts tagged "self improvement" (Page 3)

Psychology Today – Difficult Divorce? 6 ways to get unstuck.

This article, "Difficult Divorce? 6 Ways to Get Unstuck. - Divorce can work out for the best.", was originally published on November 19, 2013 by Mark Banschick, M.D. and Heather Edwards, LMHC in Psychology Today.  It addresses the basic feelings of grief, anger, and fear in divorce followed by self care and planning for a better life. Read further for tips on how to navigate this challenging life transition...

Design Your Best Life

Each of us has a unique life story. We come from different families, places, and generations. Our circumstances effect and shape who we are and become. Personal experiences are part of us, wherever we go. We use our history to guide us through life. What's familiar is comfortable and predictable. Sometimes though, it's not the most helpful. How do we acknowledge and let go of the part of our life story that holds us back? How do we flourish, soothe, and celebrate our truly unique, special, and amazing potential?    Answer the following questions to help clarify your strengths, challenges, and life goals.  Begin to design your best life. 1. When do I shine? There are times, situations, places, and environments where we shine! Notice when you...

Making Up For Time Lost: 5 Tips for Getting Back in the Game

I just lost a week of productivity due to "acute pharyngitis", which is the medical term for a sore throat. Normally, one would carry on, ignore it, and complete one's typical activities with minor discomfort. Not me. My sore throat felt like seven samurai swords incessantly scraping my trachea with a splash of hot sauce and 40 grit sand paper for gauze. When experiencing this type of pain, things such as work, exercise, conversations, smiles, and wakefulness all come a bit harder. In fact, the only thing that feels natural is lying down and feeling sorry for yourself. Sleep even hurts. Now it's Monday, a week later. I'm in panic mode and have a lot of sh*t to get done. Since it's time to put...

Jobs 101: The Ultimate Search Simplified

We've all run full speed ahead in the hamster wheel of work-exhaustion and discontent, at times. Job dissatisfaction can bring you down and effect all areas of your life, if it is not addressed.  People often feel burned out and under-appreciated at work.   "I feel so disrespected.", "I'm bored with my job and I deserve a promotion.", "I'm overwhelmed, I don't enjoy my work anymore.", are pretty common expressions of burn out.  These are obvious indicators that it's time for a career make-over.  If you put in the time, effort, and soul searching required, you can create the career you want!  It seems like a daunting task, but the alternative is not an option.  How does one turn that formidable rodent wheel of work...

Turn Chaos Into Calm: Five ways to create a Zen day

Whether there are too many obligations or too much stress, feeling anxious and overwhelmed can bring your productivity to a screeching halt.  When the stakes are high, the last thing you need is low focus and low motivation.  Our bodies are designed to protect and preserve our well-being.  But when stress is prolonged and our sympathetic nervous system (SNS) takes over, it can have negative effects on our health and peace of mind.   The fight-or-flight reaction that our SNS creates to keep us safe from danger actually causes panic like symptoms including, short & shallow breaths, tightening of the muscles, increased heart rate, and intensified negative emotions in preparation for survival.  When this happens, we're lit up like a billboard in Times Square on New...

Psychology Today Post – Getting Unstuck!

My latest blog in collaboration with Dr. Mark Banschick, Getting Unstuck - Eight Ways to Get Your Mojo Back, published in Psychology Today.   Life takes twists and turns. Just when it seems you've figured things out, that metaphorical rug can get yanked out from under you. It can leave you spinning and wondering which way is up...

Love the Skin You’re In!

Its officially summer and the weather is hot! We have longer days, more outdoor celebrations, and parties by the pool or at the beach. These are all good things that most look forward to, but if we are not happy and confident in our own skin, the summer months bring on anxiety and self-doubt. Appreciating yourself can sometimes be a difficult task. Being comfortable in your skin is knowing exactly who you are and adoring yourself - including your quirks and flaws!  Balancing and accepting yourself can help your self- esteem and also bring you inner peace. Here are some ways to help you love yourself as much as you deserve! Thank Yourself:  Our bodies are amazing things but we tend to take them for granted....

Seeking Refuge

Psychology 101 teaches students everywhere that besides food, water, and air, the most basic of human needs is SAFETY.  Just watching the news today can be traumatizing.  It seems the news networks are building their audience and profits by sensationalizing real and/or perceived threats to their viewers' personal and public safety.  We're easily captivated by the shock and horror of natural disasters and man's capability to commit heinous acts.  Whatever the headline, it grasps our attention, shakes us up, and dares us to let go.  What does one do with the barrage of real threats and sensationalism around us?  Where does one find refuge?  How can we create a sense of peace and carry on our lives a productive and optimistic way?  Here are a...

Spring Into a New Mindset

[caption id="attachment_1011" align="alignleft" width="300"] Lillies at Rockefeller Center Plaza.[/caption] The air is warmer, the sun is brighter, and the days are longer.  It's the season of new beginnings.  Spring is the time of year to de-clutter, cleanse, and freshen up our lives.  We enjoy the crisp air, the budding trees, and a bit more exercise.  So why not enliven and rejuvenate our mindset, too?  It's easy to fall into the habit of negative thinking.  The shorter, darker, colder days of winter can wear on our normally cheery and optimistic outlook.  It can effect our beliefs, feelings, and behaviors.  For example, when in stressful or unfamiliar situations, many of us tend to automatically assume the worst possible case scenario.  That fearful belief provokes an anxious feeling that...

5 SIMPLE TIPS TO RESTORE LIFE BALANCE

Lately it seems we're obsessed with establishing balance in our lives.  The day to day rat race keeps us running in diametrically opposed directions from one moment to the next. When life feels off-kilter, whether its due to neglected or all-consuming life domains, we strive to re-balance ourselves and maintain a comfortable order.  Some of us desire more time with family and less time at work.  Some need time for self nurturing, and less time worrying about everyone else.  Some crave time for education and skill development instead of household chores.  The formula for balance may look quite different for everyone.  Regardless, the demands of daily life can leave us feeling exhausted and depleted.  No matter how it looks for you, at the end of the day, the satisfaction we...