BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

February is the month of love, a time to show we love our friends, family and partners. But, it can also be a month of self-love! You've probably heard of the term "self-care" by now. It's incredibly popular on the internet, with celebrities and influences promoting the idea. In fact, even Barbie is promoting self-care these days. With all of the information swirling around, though, it can be difficult to know what self-care is and how exactly you should practice it. We're here to help....

With the new year here, it’s time to make your 2020 resolutions. New Year’s resolutions come in all shapes and sizes, but for chronic pain sufferers, there are a few resolutions that could help you reduce your pain. Focusing on yourself and your overall health, including your emotional and mental health, is important to reducing your pain symptoms. Keep reading for some resolution ideas for a great 2020....

During cold weather, joint and other chronic pain can worsen. Whether you have arthritis or inflammation problems, cold weather can worsen your symptoms. There could be many reasons for increased pain during winter months, and it’s important to find ways to reduce your chronic pain during cold weather. Here are a few tips that could help you reduce chronic pain during cold weather...

On the blog, we've talked a lot about mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being present in life. This means living in a way that promotes overall health by taking care of every aspect of health, including mental health. Living mindfully can help you create ways to respond to situations in life and is particularly helpful for those with chronic pain, who can benefit from reduced stress and increased wellness. During this time of Thanksgiving, mindfulness can be practiced in a number of ways, but perhaps most important is through gratitude. Keep reading to learn more about the links between mindfulness and thankfulness. ...

The holiday season is right around the corner. No matter what you celebrate, one thing is for sure: depression tends to worsen this time of year. In fact, in 2014, 64% of Americans said their mental illness was worse during the holidays, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. So, why does depression get worse during the holidays? Keep reading to learn how the holiday season and depression are linked....

Have you ever heard of the “winter blues?” Chances are you probably have and may have even experienced them yourself. As the weather gets colder and the days get shorter, our mood can change. While “winter blues” are common and affects many people, if you experience uncontrollable mood changes and other related symptoms, you may have a more serious disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder. ...

There are many factors in our everyday lives that can create stress. Did you know stress could be one of the causes of weight gain and other health problems? According to the American Psychological Association, stress in American is increasing, with 44% of Americans reporting increased stress levels from 2005-2010. As we encounter stress, our body and overall wellness will experience the negative side effects. Keep reading to learn how stress affects health....

It's officially fall! We may not have fall weather yet, but that won't stop us from celebrating the season. Hay rides, pumpkin patches, falling leaves and more are right around the corner. With the seasons changing, you might experience some change, too. Whether that's good or bad change, it can lead to stress. Learn how to avoid stress this fall and enjoy the season by reading more....

With school starting back, it is prime time for high stress. Even if you managed to get over the first day jitters, chances are the daily stress of returning to work has you feeling a little out of balance. Work stress is perfectly normal, and teachers are more prone to stress than other professions. However, just because it's normal doesn't mean you should try to manage that stress. Stress relief for teachers is vital, especially if you are prone to stress or have conditions like chronic pain. ...

Back to school season can be stressful. Whether you're a student, parent, teacher, worker or just feeling the weight of summer ending, it can be easy to give in to stress. But, you don't have to let that stress overcome you. Use these tips to help overcome back to school stress and enjoy the season. ...