Mental Health

How Learn to Live Delivers CBT: Part 4 Thoughts affect our feelings Around here, we put a lot of consideration into our approach to thoughts. Our cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) programs include the idea that your cognitions (thoughts) - the C in CBT-affect how we feel and that idea can change our worlds. That realization was central to the cognitive revolution that was led by pioneers like Aaron Beck and Albert Ellis. So, their ideas are integrated into our programs. To examine our thoughts, we must first identify them. We introduced the sentence stems I created several years ago (e.g.,…

Mental health is an important part of overall health. The LGBTQ+ community can experience social stigma and discrimination, which can have a negative impact on mental health. Let's celebrate this Pride month by focusing on mental well-being and self-care! Here are some ideas: Attend a Pride parade to connect with others. Show support for LGBTQ+ rights. Look for a safe space to connect with a support group. Give back to the community. Volunteer for LGBTQ+ causes. Take part in LGBTQ+ cultural events. Look for art exhibits, film festivals, or concerts. Have fun and learn something new. Do something creative to…

Social wellness is an important part of overall well-being. It means having positive and healthy connections with the people around you like your family, friends, co-workers, and others in your community. Building positive social connections can help you live a happier and healthier life. Here are a few tips to develop more social wellness: Spend time with people: Make plans to be with your family, friends, and people in your community. The time spent together fosters a connection with those individuals, while contributing to your own sense of belonging - which is important for your well-being. Be a good listener:…

Menopause occurs at the end of a woman's reproductive years. It can have a significant impact on mood. It can also impact emotions and mental well-being. Women going through menopause might experience any of the following: Mood swings Anxiety and/or depression Poor sleep Trouble thinking clearly Stress and irritability Decreased self-esteem Negative body image Not all women will have these mental health effects during menopause. For women who do experience mental health challenges during this phase of life, there are several strategies to consider. Strategies to Improve Mental Health During Menopause Stay physically active: Regular exercise can have a positive…

How Learn to Live Delivers CBT: Part 3 When I was working in an inpatient mental health unit, I began an effort to focus groups on evidence-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). We needed a topic that busy nurses could lead on Sunday nights. We picked one that was simple, but very useful: automatic negative thinking traps (ANTs).  Many group members were new to the concept of ANTs, but I noticed that people remembered it. Even if they forgot everything else, ANTs stuck.  What ANTs Really Are ANTs aren't the same as the emotion-causing thoughts, like I'm going to fail this…

Talking to your teenager (or a teenager you know) about, well, anything, can be difficult. As conversations around mental health become more common, we must consider the mental health of everyone - especially teens. The more normal we make conversations about thoughts, emotions, and life challenges the easier having these conversations will get. And we know that one conversation can be pivotal when it comes to getting a young person facing a mental health challenge the help they may need. Here are some tips to make having these conversations a bit easier: Be genuine. Use your words and actions to show them that you…