Science on meditation is new. Though there are already volumes of research on meditation available, the long term outcomes of meditation still have yet to be thoroughly documented. A few things have been made relatively concrete. Meditation does reduce stress. In fact, meditation reverses stress by activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Even on a molecularRead More
This time of year, the buzzing catchphrase is spring cleaning. April is the time everyone engages in spring cleaning, clearing out the old to make room for the new. Metaphors about winter ending, spring beginning, and the transitioning seasons abound. People recommend spring cleaning their bedrooms, their houses, their kitchens, their garages, their car, theirRead More
GABA stands for gamma-aminobutyric acid. As one of many different neurotransmitters in the brain, GABA has a specific function by communicating specific messages throughout the brain. What sets GABA apart from other neurotransmitters is that it is an inhibitory neurotransmitter, meaning it inhibits certain brain processes, which can lead to a variety of mental healthRead More
People who struggle with mental health are peculiar. At some point, their pain becomes desperate. Given what is called the “gift” of desperation, they seek treatment and help. Whether they enter a treatment program, work with a therapist or work with a psychiatrist, they might end up on medications. Antidepressant medications are helpful in treatingRead More
Trauma changes everything about us, including our perception of ourselves and our place in the world. Judy Crane explains this truth about trauma in The Trauma Heart: We Are Not Bad People Trying to Be Good, We Are Wounded People Trying to Heal–Stories of Survival, Hope, and Healing. Trauma, as Crane defines it, is “anyRead More
Abandonment is something many people experience as their trauma. For many, just reading the word will put a clamp on their heart and extract the tears from their eyes. Being abandoned is remarkably, deeply painful emotionally. One of humankind’s greatest fears is being alone- stemming from an existential pondering which has never been answered withRead More
Recovery feels fantastic. In the beginning, recovery is rough. Full of new feelings, confronting old trauma, dealing with physical and psychological changes- recovery is exhausting as a new lifestyle. After a few months, recovery becomes more routine. Whatever someone is recovering from, be it trauma, addiction, mental health, or other issues, the pain starts toRead More
Many people encounter it. We have this voice in our mind, this nagging, critical, obnoxious voice which likes to terrorize us at every available opportunity. According to this voice and their highly expert, loud spoken opinion, nothing we do is right. Nothing we do is good enough. Nothing we do is right. Nothing we doRead More
Life without alcohol is a life without fun or anything interesting happening. So the mind play games on a person in recovery and makes them think this is the case. When someone enters rehab, one of their concerns might be whether the party is over and they’ll never have fun again. The problem withRead More
This article will extensively discuss sexual trauma. If you are triggered, consider moving away from this article. If you are currently experiencing sexual violence of any kind, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. Half of women who experience sexual assault experience symptoms of trauma long-term, reports Brit + Co. The first two weeksRead More