-
Understanding the Spectrum of Anger and How to Resolve It
Anger is a complex emotion that manifests in various forms, each with its unique characteristics and underlying causes. By understanding the different types of anger, we can gain insights into our own emotional responses and develop healthier coping mechanisms. In this blog, we will explore five common types of anger and their implications. Passive Anger Passive anger is characterized by indirect expressions of anger, such as sarcasm, silent treatment, or passive-aggressive behavior. Individuals experiencing passive anger may struggle to express their emotions openly, leading to resentment and frustration. This type of anger often stems from a fear of confrontation or a desire to avoid conflict. Recognizing passive anger is crucial,…
-
5 Things to Prepare Your Kids for Back to School Now
School’s In? In between late May to mid-August, it is your kids’ job to relax and have fun. As a parent, you must know what to do to prepare for after summer is over. For kids in Rapides parish, August 14th is right around the corner. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare your kids for back to school. Reinforcing Bedtime While during the summer, it is okay for your little ones to stay up late. On school mornings, the last thing you want is a tired kid. In order to prepare for this now, you can dial back their bedtime 15 minutes every two weeks. By the time…
-
5 Strategies to Take Care of Your Mental Health This Summer
When summer arrives, there’s often time for fun and freedom. The season also brings a break from our usual routines. However, it’s important to remember that taking care of our mental health is still important. By using some simple strategies, we can make sure to take care of our minds and make the most of this sunny (and hot) season. Embrace Nature and Sunshine Summer is full of opportunities to get out in nature. You can enjoy it by getting on the water at one of the many lakes around CENLA, on the Cane River in Natchitoches, or hiking in the Kisatchie National Forest. Spending time in nature has been…
-
Marathons and Mental Health Part 4: Calling Yourself By Your Rightful Name
I’m not much of a TV or movie watcher, but Into the Wild is a fantastic biography that tops the list. Disillusioned with modern wealth and a high-stress, high-conflict home, Christopher McCandless leaves home after high school graduation, roaming through North America as a vagabond and hippie, his location completely unknown to his family. He takes on the name “Alexander Supertramp” and introduces himself this way in light-hearted fashion to everyone he befriends, which is basically everyone he meets. His travels, and his life, end in the wilderness of Alaska, where, after wasting away on a limited food supply, he is done in after eating a plant he thought was…
-
Marathons and Mental Health Part 3: Who Decided That Was A Failure Anyway?
It was the spring of this year, and quickly getting hotter. It was now or never. It was time to go back and do what I had attempted to do in the winter, and failed at–run a 50 mile race through the Wild Azalea Trail. Notably, my attempt earlier in the year was hot on the heels of near-perfect training. I had followed a training plan religiously, done the whole self-care regimen, honed in my nutrition, and regularly checked in with a physical therapist to make sure everything was working the way it should. When race day arrived, I failed miserably. As in, I barely got started. I had three…
-
Marathons and Mental Health Part 2: Check the Terrain
In Part 1 of this series, we took a look at the transient nature of life’s challenges–that’s a fancy way of saying that if things feel rough and you want to quit, just hang on, because it will likely get better. We found some tips and tricks to help us navigate those challenges when they’re happening, such as remembering our self-care strategies, taking moments to stop and breathe, keeping the bigger perspective that challenges do pass, and perhaps more importantly, that they create fertile ground for personal growth. I felt as though the last trick up our sleeve deserved a little more attention, though, and that is this: Look down…
-
5 Tips to Reduce Summer Stress
Summer can be a fun time for children and families, but it can also be stressful when kids are out of school. Summers are supposed to be about vacation, water sports, ice cream, and other fun outdoor activities with your children and family. However, when routines are disrupted, and kids become bored it can lead to a more stressful experience. Parents must find their children activities to engage in or find somewhere for their children to go. Summer activities can be hard to find and very expensive. This can all lead to an increase in stress for the entire family. Here are some ways to deal with summer stress when…
-
Getting Mentally Prepared for College
Preparing for college can be an exciting and challenging time. The months between high school graduation and starting college can often be filled with highs and lows emotionally and mentally. It can be scary to prepare for possibly moving away from home for the first time. There are so many things to think about, such as decorating a dorm or apartment, worry about finances, and fears about meeting new people. It can be overwhelming even with a lot of support from family and friends. Here are some steps to get mentally prepared for college: Develop a positive mindset College can be an intimidating experience, but it is important to approach…
-
Mental Health and First Responders
First responders work hard to protect our communities and maintain our safety. Their work often involves engaging in very stressful and traumatic situations. They often encounter difficult situations many times a day. Frequent encounters with those struggling with mental health issues can cause compassion fatigue. Compassion fatigue is a mental response to helping others in stress. These encounters can also create misconceptions about individuals with mental health challenges. Misconceptions can create a stigma surrounding seeking mental health support for first responders. Even though a stigma exists, many first responders struggle with mental health difficulties. Reports show 85% of first responders have experienced symptoms of mental health disorders. Depression and PTSD…
-
How to Live a Regret Free Life
I am going to assume most of us want to leave this world with no regrets. Yet, regret is a common emotion we all experience. Regret leaves you feeling disappointment over a missed opportunity or sadness over something you said, did, or didn’t do. But what would it be like to get to the end of your life with no regrets? To spend your final moments feeling at peace about the life you lived and the choices you made. The truth is none of us are getting out of here alive. Which begs the question, “How can we live a regret free life?” Living a Regret Free Life One way…
