Understanding Social Phobia and Social Anxiety: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options
Social phobia, also known as social anxiety disorder, involves an intense fear of social situations due to the fear of being judged or humiliated. This condition goes beyond simple shyness and can significantly affect your daily life. In this article, we will discuss the symptoms, causes, and treatment options for social phobia social anxiety. It […]
An Advanced Guide to Negative Thoughts: The Art of Observing Thoughts
In our previous discussion, we introduced the concept of managing intrusive or negative thoughts through the “Leaves on a Stream” exercise. While this cognitive defusion technique serves as a valuable starting point, it’s time to delve deeper and explore a more practical approach to dealing with these persistent mental intrusions. The Limitations of the “Leaves […]
Intrusive Thoughts: 2 Ways to Break Free from the Mental Tug-of-War
Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff, your mind racing with thoughts of jumping. You’re not suicidal, but the thought terrifies you. This is just one example of intrusive thoughts—unwanted, often disturbing ideas that pop into our minds uninvited. But what if I told you that the way we’ve been taught to handle these thoughts […]
What is Mindfulness? 5 Powerful Steps to a More Peaceful, Healthier You
What is Mindfulness? A word that’s gained significant traction in recent years often conjures images of meditation and Eastern spiritual practices. Yet, the essence of mindfulness isn’t confined to any single culture or tradition. It’s a universal human capacity, recognized and cultivated across the globe. As an Asian therapist residing in the United States and […]
4 Reasons Why Traveling is Important For Mental Health
Traveling offers connections, cultural immersions, and unique experiences that can widen a person’s perspective. These elements highlight why traveling is important for enhancing psychological flexibility, a concept used in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). This flexibility involves being open to experiences and staying present while taking actions aligned with your values. Being psychologically flexible helps you adapt […]
Conquering Insomnia: A 5-Step Approach to Better Sleep
Insomnia, a pervasive sleep disorder, can wreak havoc on your life, trapping you in a vicious cycle of sleeplessness and suffering. This article will explore the challenges of insomnia and offer a unique, mindful approach to breaking free from its grip. A Perpetual Cycle of Struggle Insomnia is more than just difficulty falling asleep; it’s […]
Mindfulness Benefits: How can it transform your life?
As a counselor with years of experience, I’ve witnessed countless individuals integrate mindfulness into their daily lives. However, I’ve noticed a common misconception that often leads to unintended harm. Many believe mindfulness is solely about achieving calmness, centeredness, or contentment. But let me share a vital insight: these are merely byproducts of true mindfulness practice. […]
Social Media and Anxiety: 3 Negative Impacts
Let’s talk about social media and anxiety or uncomfortable feelings in general. I’ve observed that social media, with its myriads of functional utilities, is strongly linked with anxiety and depression. Despite this, the number of users continues to grow. It makes me wonder: why do we humans engage in something that could potentially harm our […]
Self-care Tips: 5 Ways to Improve Well-being
Self-care is essential for well-being, though it’s often portrayed superficially on social media. True self-care goes beyond quick fixes and involves cultivating a deep, unwavering sense of self-love and self-compassion. But let’s be honest, sometimes the pressure to indulge in these grand, picture-perfect displays of self-care can leave us feeling more overwhelmed than relaxed. Let […]
Improve Mental Wellness: 4 Achievable Steps to Overcome Negative Thoughts
Negative thoughts are an inherent part of the human experience. They can range from mild worries to debilitating fears, and often seem to arise without our control. While it’s natural to want to overcome negative thoughts, the reality is that we may never fully eliminate them. Instead, the key lies in learning how to respond […]
