Articles

When we hear the term perfectionism, for many people negative associations come up. There’s inherently nothing wrong with the core of perfectionism: having goals and standards for oneself and wanting to achieve them. Being driven and wanting to do well is healthy, but perfectionism drives us to seek flawlessness, which is often unrealistic. When we fail to be flawless, this sets us up to be self-critical and can open the door for anxiety to set in. Perfectionism leaves no…

“I know logically that it doesn’t make sense but I still feel…” It can be incredibly frustrating when we know logically what to do, or can list 100 coping skills but for some reason, in the moment, all those feelings from before still come right back up. It could be that we are aware of exactly what memory is being triggered in the moment, or we have no idea why every time a certain situation happens it brings out anger, sadness, frustration, etc.

In a society that teaches and praises conformity, it can be hard for people to even consider the possibility of not being straight. Coming out can leave a lot at stake – family relationships, friendships, and even the loss of the heteronormative life that was envisioned. Coming out can often feel like it holds a sense of loss – loss of those relationships, or a loss of the life path that was taught. This can create a hesitancy for people in coming out, especially because the…

Seeking reassurance is a natural behavior that many humans engage in during their life. This could look like “Which shoes do you like better with this outfit?” or “Do you think this needs more salt?” or even, “Do you think this sentence is worded awkwardly?”. This desire for feedback from others is a normal and natural part of the human experience. However, for those with an anxiety disorder or obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), this need for reassurance can become a…

This article aims to provide insights and information on exercise's physical and psychological benefits, ways to develop a positive exercise mindset, the role of exercise in promoting mental well-being, and how to develop a healthy relationship with exercise.

Thomas, a middle-aged man who feels insecure about his body and appearance, is scrolling through his Instagram when he sees a post from a local fitness instructor encouraging everyone to “find appreciation for their bodies.”  Brooklyn, a woman in her mid-20s who’s always felt shame about her body, is getting dressed for the day. After changing her outfit multiple times and countless checks in the mirror, feeling defeated and upset, she tries to recall her friend’s advice to…

Do you experience shyness or nervousness when meeting new people? Do you find yourself thinking about how others may perceive you or overpreparing for a presentation? That’s normal! So how can you tell if you are experiencing some pre-happy hour jitters or social anxiety?

It may seem that more people than ever are feeling stressed, and that perception may actually reflect the reality that more people, in fact, are experiencing higher levels of distress. Studies show that anxiety disorders are up to 28.3% globally and that prevalence rates of anxiety disorders have been increasing over time (as cited in Kim & Kim, 2018).