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,...
The typical workday can be exhausting for most, but when does this exhaustion become burnout? Burnout is defined as emotional or physical exhaustion resulting...
If you’re feeling stressed about upcoming elections, you’re not alone. Political stress, the feeling of stress or anxiety related to elections, is common. According...
When you’re lonely, missing a loved one, or just want someone to talk to, it can be tempting to opt for a quick text...
A majority of Americans eat more than the recommended amount of sugar each day. That’s no surprise since there is evidence sugar is more...
Some days, the perfect way to relieve soreness and tension is by stepping into a warm bath or hot shower. Athletes can often be...
We all know the benefits of regular exercise: a longer life, a decrease in stress, an increase in self-esteem. However, sometimes exercise can become...
Addiction is a chronic condition that can have chronic consequences. Substance use can affect several aspects of a person’s life depending on the substance...
Are you getting enough fruit and veggies, and what does it have to do with your mood? Nutritional psychology is a newer field of...
The American Psychological Association defines “violence” as an extreme form of aggression. In 2021, the United States saw 1.3 million cases of violent crime,...
While self-soothing and self-care may sound like similar concepts, they’re quite different. At the basic level, self-care is a long-term way to manage stress...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many families opted for homeschooling instead of the traditional, in-person classroom. Homeschooling can have great results for some students while...
As college students return to campus, many will choose to rush Greek organizations or rejoin their fraternities and sororities. Though these communities offer socialization...
Suicide is a leading cause of death in the United States, with someone dying from suicide every 11 minutes. That’s why we want to...
Night terrors happen to a person when they’re asleep, often causing them to experience intense fear, scream, or even sleepwalk. While they are more...
Being rejected hurts. Whether romantic, career-related, or personal, rejection is part of the human experience, but that doesn’t make it any less shocking or...
Seasonal affective disorder is a form of depression most often associated with winter months, but it also has another variation that impacts people during...
Stress is an inevitable part of life, so it’s important to find ways to manage it. Sometimes taking time to move in a slow,...
No one likes germs, but some people may experience extreme anxiety at the thought of touching a surface that could contain germs, bacteria, or...
Whether you’re entering the workforce for the first time or transitioning to a different company, starting a new job can cause a variety of...
Talking about mental health matters, and the words we use can have a Bullying comes in a wide variety of forms. From name-calling to...
Talking about mental health matters, and the words we use can have a huge impact. In a study from Emory University, researchers found 50...
Running has a wide variety of health benefits like improving blood pressure, building heart muscles, and strengthening bones. Beyond the physical benefits, running is...
There’s no doubt that getting a massage is relaxing and rejuvenating. Massage therapy, however, can be expensive, time-consuming, and even inaccessible in some areas....
On the surface, social media can seem like a great thing. Connecting with those you can’t be physically close to and finding communities that...
While fireworks delight celebratory crowds in the summer, for those experiencing PTSD, autism, or sensory-related triggers, these loud and illuminated events can be anxiety-inducing....
It can be frustrating, upsetting, and anger-inducing to be ghosted. While it usually happens in romantic partnerships, ghosting can occur in a variety of...
From siblings to spouses, relationships within a family can have an impact on mental and physical wellbeing. The quality of these relationships is built...
Nearly 65% of girls and women are on birth control in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. But...
If you suffer from a mood disorder or depressive illness, you are not alone. These challenges are incredibly common and impact about 1 in...
Traveling to a new place can be fun, exciting, and give you the chance to try something new. However, sometimes the only way to...
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. All adults play a role in building the safe, stable, nurturing homes and environments needed for the healthy development...
Taking the time to understand and be connected with your gender and sexual identities can be a stressful and trying process. Once you have...
