We live in a society that values people who strive for something. Hard work, dedication, perseverance and perfectionism garner attention and praise. But what happens when perfectionism and rumination take a darker turn? Striving to be better – or the best – comes at a cost for many people.
I recently joined the provider network for a local cause, The Second Wind Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to understanding and preventing teen suicide. While it is a painful and difficult topic, parents and caregivers need to be aware of the risks and warning signs.
Each human being on this planet will experience grief and loss in his or her lifetime. Loss can range from the death of a loved one or pet to a parting of ways with a friend or lover. Even losing a job can result in deep feelings of loss and grief. These feelings are a normal part of the human experience, but the grief process can unexpectedly knock even the strongest among us to our knees.
Caregiver mental health can suffer due to lack of support and resources. Caregivers are more prone to depression, anxiety and substance abuse, and more than 44 million Americans provide care to loved ones. I recently wrote a piece on caregiver mental health for 1800wheelchair.com, a website with resources for people with physical disabilities.
I recently wrote a short article on how these two things are connected. Sometimes small adjustments in our behavior can result in big changes in how we feel.
Welcome to the first in a series of features designed to help you reflect on what you want out of your life. I invite you to join me as we explore topics from relationships to goal-setting and discuss ways to create positive change in your own life.