If you fear being judged by others, are self-conscious in social situations, and the idea of meeting new people triggers anxiety, you may have social anxiety disorder if you’ve been having these feelings for more than six months.  According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “Social anxiety disorder is an intense, persistent fear of…

Aging is a part of life that brings perspective, maturity, and wisdom. In many ways, grey hair is a kind of crown that should engender respect.  But growing old isn’t the problem for most people; it’s feeling old.  Old age can usher in a new era of aches, loss of independence, loneliness, and cognitive decline. …

One of the best things we can do to reduce stress happens to be one of the last things many of us do: sleep. It’s not always easy to sleep when feeling anxious and overwhelmed. But having a routine of getting good quality sleep is probably the best thing we can do to manage stress,…

How do you feel about your life, and how things are going? I’m sure you’re a wonderful person, living an extraordinary life! But, have you ever noticed how some people seem to quit on themselves because it takes too much effort to become more than they are? So they sink into lukewarm complacency. Others look…

Erma Bombeck said, “Guilt: The gift that keeps on giving.” Unless you’re a person with high psychopathic tendencies, you know exactly what she’s talking about. Thief or Guardian? Guilt is a thief that steals your joy if you’re not careful. But it can also be a guardian that protects you from unnecessary hardship and unhappiness. …

Medicine and therapy are the most common treatments for mental health problems like anxiety and depression, but lifestyle choices are often overlooked.   Psychology Today says, “That’s a lamentable oversight because lifestyle changes—things as simple as nutrition and exercise—can have a significant impact on quality of life, for any of us, but especially for those dealing with issues…

People are stressed out; it doesn’t look like things are getting better anytime soon. Money and economics are the leading cause of stress. In fact, the stress and anxiety we’re facing is growing into a national health crisis. Americans are one of the most stressed out in the world, according to Stress.org 55% of Americans…

Life gets more stressful every day. It can be a million little things competing for our time or one huge thing we never saw coming. One minute everything is great, and the next minute our whole world is upside down.  Life isn’t easy. Of the many techniques to cope with stress, deep breathing is among…

Hot fluffy pancakes slathered with butter, drenched in mouth-watering maple syrup, with a few berries thrown in for nutritional penance to tame our guilt. Wow. We do love our carbohydrates, don’t we? Maybe pancakes aren’t your thing but everyone has their nutritional Kryptonite. Some people swear by carbs them. Others curse them, believing they’re downright…

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), alcohol is a significant cause of death in the U.S. More than 95,000 people die every year due to alcohol-related causes. Alcoholism is a disease referred to as alcohol dependence, alcohol abuse, and alcohol use disorder.  Alcoholism is drinking so much alcohol that the body becomes addicted,…

There are over a billion Internet searches on “anxiety,” which, according to Psychiatry.org, says:  “Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress and can be beneficial in some situations. It can alert us to dangers and help us prepare and pay attention. Anxiety disorders differ from normal feelings of nervousness or anxiousness and involve excessive fear or anxiety.” Get…

Although the gym has just about everything you can imagine to get in the best shape of your life, it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, despite easy access and affordable membership fees.  Some people are self-conscious and feel uncomfortable working out in front of people. For others, logistical issues such as transportation or travel time…