The latest social media trend, the “Winter Arc Challenge,” encourages people to jumpstart their “New Year, New Me” goals as the seasons begin to shift. This challenge emphasizes self-discipline, restoration, and goal-setting through a set of structured guidelines. Though rules vary, popular videos on TikTok often feature routines that include rigid workout schedules, specific dietary…
depression
Healing Through EMDR: Getting Grounded in Shaky Times
After completing part two of my Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) training this past weekend, I left feeling grounded, energized, and — dare I say — hopeful. This felt like a stark contrast to the energy of the weeks and months leading up to it given the anxiety we have collectively been buzzing with.…
Getting Support as a New Father During the Postpartum Period
The postpartum period is a significant life transition, and as such can be incredibly challenging. As many as 1 in 5 women experience a mood or anxiety disorder during pregnancy and/or the first year postpartum (Howard et al., 2014). Additionally, the postpartum period affects the whole family, not just the birthing person. Evidence shows that…
Men’s Mental Health: ‘Man Up’ Is Not the Answer
Many men have a complicated relationship with their mental health. Nearly 1 in 10 men experience depression or anxiety (MHA, 2024). Yet a 2022 survey conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) revealed that just 42% of male-identifying respondents were treated for any mental health issue compared to 57% of female-identifying respondents (NIMH,…
Beyond Cramps and Cravings: Understanding the Difference Between Premenstrual Syndrome and Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder
Throughout history, the medical field has had a complicated and often contradictory relationship with reproductive mental health. While accounts of symptoms related to the menstrual cycle date back to ancient times, their existence was often met with irrational skepticism. Mood fluctuations were frequently attributed to a wandering uterus or the toxic and healing properties of…
Flexibility of the Mind: The Present of Presence
In Part 1 of this webzine series, we defined psychological flexibility, asked some hard-hitting questions to see if we lean more toward psychological inflexibility, and began to explore how our thoughts, feelings, and ongoing pursuit of happiness may leave us feeling disconnected from what matters to us most – here, right now. If you need…
Myth Busting Grief and Taking Ownership of Your Healing
Grief can be one of the heaviest experiences, and it is often experienced as a myriad of emotions. In my experience of working with people who are navigating grief, I have discovered that they often are not well-equipped to cope with grief, through no fault of their own. Grief is a subject that is frequently…
How Psychological Flexibility Can Help You Live Your Best Life
When you hear the word flexible, what comes to mind? A quick Google Image search will show you pictures of people in yoga pants posing in various positions, stretching and lengthening their limbs and bodies. We often associate the word flexible with exactly this – the body. What we don’t usually consider in this…
Preventive Measures for Seasonal Depression
What is seasonal depression (seasonal affective disorder)? As the end of January arrives, we find ourselves in the doldrums of winter. The winter blues are a common experience for many people living in certain climates, and the lack of sunlight, limited time outside, and potential disdain for cold weather create the perfect winter storm that…
Seasonal Depression – Is it more than just the winter blues?
For some, the change in season from fall to winter is a welcome one––the air is crisp, the snow is beautiful, winter sports season begins, the world quiets. Others experience a shift in their mood, perhaps feeling sadder or more tired or more withdrawn than usual. And for some, the intensity and severity of the…
