Defense mechanisms are behaviors people use to separate themselves from unpleasant events, actions, or thoughts. It's a psychological trick we use all the time as a way to put distance between ourselves and threats or unwanted feelings, such as guilt or shame. The idea of defense mechanisms...
When faced with a challenge, you likely have a handful of go-to strategies to help you deal with it, even if your approach varies slightly from problem to problem. You might, for example, be a problem solver. When navigating a challenge or stressful event — a...
It's been more than 2 months since self-isolation and shuttered businesses became the norm in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While there's talk of gradual re-openings in some areas, we still could be more than a year away from life returning to normal. As...
Are you a glass half-empty or half-full sort of person? Studies have demonstrated that both can impact your physical and mental health and that being a positive thinker is the better of the two. A recent study followed 70,000 women from 2004 to 2012 and found that...
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating trauma- and stressor-related disorder that can occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. The event may involve a real or perceived threat of injury or death. This can include a natural disaster, combat, an assault, physical or...
Self-talk is your internal dialogue. It's influenced by your subconscious mind, and it reveals your thoughts, beliefs, questions, and ideas. Self-talk can be both negative and positive. It can be encouraging, and it can be distressing. Much of your self-talk depends on your personality. If you're...
Depression can be debilitating, impacting everything from your ability to work to your physical health. While some people are predisposed to depression as a result of genetics, many others develop symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders as a result of stress. Experts now know that chronic, high...
Habits constitute the daily chug and churn of our lives. You go to bed at a certain time; you wake at a certain time. You brush your teeth; you take your vitamins. Ordinary life is built on routine. Unfortunately, bad habits are as much a...
Depression can be debilitating, impacting everything from your ability to work to your physical health. While some people are predisposed to depression as a result of genetics, many others develop symptoms of anxiety and mood disorders as a result of stress. Experts now know that chronic,...