Social Media & the Rise of Digital Depression
In a world where connection is just a click away, social media has become an integral part of daily life. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram,...
In a world where connection is just a click away, social media has become an integral part of daily life. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram,...
The phrase “trust your gut” may have more truth to it than you think. Emerging research highlights the powerful connection between the gut and...
Our thoughts shape our emotions, actions, and overall well-being. However, sometimes our minds fall into patterns of distorted thinking—automatic, irrational thought processes that negatively...
When we think about mental health, we often focus on therapy, mindfulness, and exercise—but what about nutrition? The foods we eat play a direct...
Seasons come and go, bringing changes in weather, daylight, and even our routines. While these shifts often bring excitement, like spring blooms, summer adventures,...
The connection between heart health and mental health runs deeper than many think. While it's common to think of the heart and brain as...
Perfectionism is often seen as a positive trait that pushes us to achieve and excel. But when the pursuit of perfection becomes an obsession,...
When we think of health screenings, we often consider them solely as a tool for catching physical illnesses early. However, regular checkups also play...
Have you ever felt like a fraud, worried that your achievements are just luck, and feared that others will eventually discover you’re not as...
It’s easy to overlook physical symptoms when thinking about mental health. We often associate mental health with emotions or thoughts rather than the aches,...
When it comes to health, we often separate physical health from mental health. We see them as different sides of the same coin, assuming...
In today’s fast-paced world, we're constantly making decisions—big and small. From selecting what to wear to choosing what to eat, decisions can become a...
In today’s fast-paced world, emotional intelligence has emerged as a key aspect of personal and professional success. Unlike traditional measures of intelligence, emotional intelligence...
Navigating therapy can be a transformative journey, and making the most of each session is key to fostering growth and healing. Here are six...
Trauma, often perceived as an emotional response, has profound and tangible effects on the brain’s structure and function. This can manifest in various ways,...
In our journey towards a more inclusive society, it’s essential to dismantle the myths that create barriers for individuals with disabilities. Despite advancements in...
Friendships are a foundational part of our lives, providing joy, support, and a sense of belonging. Recognizing the signs of a healthy friendship can...
Relapse, a word that often carries a heavy burden of guilt and disappointment, is not uncommon in the journey of recovery from addiction. Whether...
Understanding and coping with emotional triggers is a crucial aspect of mental health and well-being. This article explores what it means to be triggered,...
Adapting to a new family environment can be difficult. It’s easy to get wrapped up in anxiety or even hate towards new family members....
Anxiety can take many forms and come from many different parts of our lives. Many people experience anxiety surrounding things that they have little...
There are new buzzwords surrounding attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and other mental health topics every day. It can be hard to make sense...
We’ve all been there in the middle of a conversation that seems to be heating up, more and more, until finally… boom. We explode....
In the intricate landscape of ADHD, procrastination emerges as a formidable adversary, weaving its threads through the core challenges that individuals with ADHD face....
The fast paced academic world can be slow to see how a student’s mental health is so intimately connected to their academic performance. In...
For many people who battle depression and anxiety, therapy can go a long way, but cannot change the chemical imbalance in the brain. That’s...
Healthy relationships require sharing your needs while also respecting the needs of your partner. This is where setting boundaries and placing ultimatums can come...
Often, anxiety can come from fear or anticipation of the unknown. You can’t predict what exactly will happen next in your life, but having...
When emotions are heightened, your perception of a conversation or situation may be skewed. You might react impulsively or intensely. In these moments it...
Keeping an eye on your finances can be a challenging thing. On top of the typical ups and downs of maintaining a budget, the...
The amount of people with mental health conditions is on the rise. More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States have a...
Depression isn’t as obvious as walking around with a rain cloud above your head, but there are some patterns that can signal you may...
In recent years, the discourse surrounding therapy and mental health has made significant strides in reducing the associated stigma. This ongoing conversation plays a...
Each day, human beings experience a vast range of positive and negative emotions. However, when we feel we need to hide these emotions from...
Stress is common among people today. However prolonged and unresolved stress can lead us into a “Survival Mode” state of mind. It is important...
Naloxone can save lives. It’s a drug that can quickly reverse an overdose of opioids like heroin, fentanyl, oxycodone, and codeine. Naloxone works by...
Addiction is a disease that can consume every aspect of your life. It impacts you if you are actively trying to manage your addiction,...
After fighting with someone, there may be lingering resentment, tense silence, or awkwardness. It can be difficult to figure out what to say and...
Stress is something we all experience, which makes it difficult to recognize when what what you’re experiencing goes beyond stress. This is especially true...
The majority of us will experience trauma at some point in our lives. Whether that trauma stems from physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, it...
Childhood isn’t simply a stage of life that we pass through on our way to adulthood and leave behind when we become “mature.” Rather,...
It’s said that a smile can light up a room, but did you know certain circuits in your brain also “light up” when you...
You’re standing on the ledge of a scenic lookout point, safely protected by guardrails when—suddenly—the thought of tumbling over the rail pops into your...
Raising children is difficult and, unfortunately, many adults aren’t equipped with the emotional maturity needed to become effective parents. As a result, countless children...
Self-care routines and self-soothing activities that alleviate stress are essential for maintaining good mental health. An intense workout in the morning or relaxing bath...
While organizations like Autism Speaks and the Autism Society have helped shed new light on Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its community, many myths...
Terms around gender and identity may seem complex on the surface, but they don’t have to be. Even a basic understanding of gender terminology...
Working from home has many benefits, but for those struggling with their mental health, it may present some unique challenges. At-home jobs can be...
Diet culture refers to the expectations we value and place on ourselves to look a certain way. This damages our mental and physical health...
An eating disorder can take a toll at any age. That’s why at Valley Oaks Health, we want to help you support your child...
Watching someone you care about struggle with an eating disorder can be painful. If you’re unsure how to support them throughout their recovery journey,...
When you reflect on your relationship with someone and realize something isn’t right, it’s a crushing feeling. Manipulation—even if it’s not obvious—can happen in...
Compliments, affection, gifts, and lots of time together can seem like green flags at the beginning of a relationship. However, they can quickly turn...
Attachment theory is a framework based on the research of psychologist John Bowlby. It describes four different approaches adults may take toward relationships: avoidant,...
Self-sabotage happens when someone participates in one or more behaviors that undermine their wellbeing and success. From procrastination to stress eating, self-sabotaging behaviors take...
Research indicates that brain function tends to decline with age, but it also shows that measures can be taken to reduce this decline. Here...
Empathy is the glue that holds humanity together. Through it, we’re able to feel concern for people we’ve never met, help address social issues...
A person’s quality of life largely depends on their ability to be productive. Whether it’s meeting quotas at work, completing assignments for school, or...
Research suggests that your mood in the morning affects your performance throughout the entire day. Therefore, a set of mood-lifting morning habits can help...
The holiday season can be challenging when you are dealing with the loss of a loved one. You may find it difficult to put...
Helping others and giving back to the community make you feel good. The same can be said for giving a gift to a friend...
Sometimes life doesn’t go as planned. When we face disappointment, a flurry of emotions can follow such as sadness, anger, stress, and even self-doubt....
Stress, wanting an escape, peer pressure, curiosity, self-medication, trying to feel grown up—there are many reasons teenagers experiment with drugs. But with time, that...
Sleep deprived and reaching for a sugary energy drink or high-calorie snack to get through the day? Many of us have been there. In...
It’s well-known that showers are necessary for staying clean, but they also have some powerful psychological benefits like decreasing anxiety and depression, relieving stress,...
Though people sometimes use the terms interchangeably, there are key differences between “empathy” and “sympathy.” What is empathy? Empathy is the ability to recognize,...
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