Self-Care Basics
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I dread late nights. I am not talking about the late nights where you get home late after a long night of fun. I mean the ones where you are laying in bed for four hours straight staring at the ceiling in the midst of an existential crisis. You tried going to bed at your…
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There are three primary communication styles – passive, aggressive, and assertive. Passive- Common names for these individuals are “doormats,” “people pleasers,” “teacher’s pet,” “the nice guy,” “the quiet type,” or “doormat.” A popular example of a passive person might be “The Dude” from The Big Lebowski , “Andy” from The 40-Year-Old Virgin, or “Dave Buznik” from Anger Management. They…
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I always found the quiet of the night to be the most peaceful, and also my most productive hours. It was void of distraction. Nighttime allowed my mind to finally have its moment to shine alongside the moonlit glow. However, the next morning was often full of regret. I have been a night owl going…
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As part of my personality and profession, I like to think I am good at provide suggestions and helping others process their way through a plethora of difficult situations. Where I struggle is being able to apply my own advice to my situation. One of my favorite techniques to use with my clients is called…
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Human beings have a natural tendency to fight back against any perceived challenges. Therefore, when it comes to acceptance, our instincts are already working against us. We want a sense of control and for situations to work in our favor. This notion made it that much more difficult for me to understand this next concept…
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This has been weighing heavy on my mind especially since I have been struggling with it more so recently, so I thought it might be worth sharing with you. Over the last year and a half, I have been struggling with a diagnosis of fibromyalgia. For those of you who are not familiar with it,…
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Every New Year’s Eve millions of people make resolutions to “lose weight.” People fill their fridges with fruits and vegetables. Gym membership sales skyrocket. Treadmills as far as the eye can see. Two weeks later, over two-thirds of those who set those resolutions are right back to their previous lifestyle. Where did they go wrong?…
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My own thoughts tend to be my own worst enemy. They have been the source of years of anxiety and depression. The vast majority of them is totally irrational, and has little to no truth behind them. I could drive myself off the deep end easily if I allowed myself to do so. For some…
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“Just take a deep breath.” The last thing anyone wants to hear when they are upset, angry, or panicking. It is the mind’s equivalent of “relax” or “calm down.” On the other hand, if you did take a moment to breathe, you might understand its true benefits. Instinctively, humans breathe from their diaphragm. If you…
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Whenever I ask this question to my clients, I feel like a seventh grade English teacher reviewing vocabulary. “It’s taking care of yourself.” I have to kindly remind them not to use the words in the definition. This is often followed by a long, awkward silence. It is at this exact moment that my “student(s)”…
The Caring Counselor 