ARTICLES RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH
Eating for Chronic Illness: A Step-by-Step Guide
Let me be honest from the start: I feel a little hypocritical writing this right now. Our household has been under the Covid cloud. One night the only thing we could manage was a milkshake - and that was if we didn't prepare it. Some days, that’s just life. Some days,...
Practical Art Exercises for Managing Emotions and Reducing Stress
Life can feel overwhelming at times, with emotions appearing when we least expect them. Stress, frustration, sadness, or even fleeting moments of joy can leave us feeling off balance. Finding a safe and effective way to process these feelings is essential—and one of...
Finding Courage and Overcoming Fear with Chronic Illness: Lessons from Tamara K. Anderson (and My Journey with MS)
When you’re diagnosed with a chronic illness, fear can show up almost overnight. I remember the day I was told I had multiple sclerosis. My world tilted. Suddenly, the certainty I had about my body and my future slipped through my fingers. Fear took so many forms:...
4 Key Indicators You Need Mindfulness to Navigate Life’s Chaos
Life doesn’t always unfold in neat, predictable patterns. Sometimes it feels like gardening in a windstorm: you plant seeds of intention, but the gusts knock them over and fling dirt into your eyes. If you’ve ever felt like you’re hanging onto a frayed rope while the...
Shattered Hearts: How Miscarriage, PTSD, and Postpartum Depression Intertwine
Trigger Warning: A Note to the Reader This article touches on the deeply emotional topics of miscarriage, postpartum depression, and the weight of sorrow that can sometimes feel too much to bear. If your heart is not ready or if these reflections stir pain within,...
The Power of Persistence When Life is a Struggle
Dreams are beautiful beginnings. They often arrive with a spark—an idea, a longing, a vision that lights something inside us. But inspiration, as lovely as it is, isn’t enough to carry a dream to life. That’s where persistence comes in. Persistence is what fuels the...
Exploding Broth and A Lesson in Pressure Management and Resilience
Life has a way of simmering beneath the surface—quiet, steady, and often unnoticed. We go about our day, managing tasks, relationships, and responsibilities, all while keeping the pressure of life contained. But when too much pressure builds up, it can explode in...
When Stress is Overwhelming: How to Reframe Pressure into Power
Life is full of challenges, and for many of us, stress is an ever-present companion. Whether it's the pressures of daily responsibilities, the weight of personal struggles, or the uncertainty of the future, stress can often feel overwhelming. Yet, amidst all the chaos...
30 PTSD Self-Care Tips
Here are 27 PTSD self-care tips to help you deal with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or even everyday stress. You certainly do not have to have post-traumatic stress disorder to see benefits from these. I built this toolbox of strategies and techniques that I...
My PTSD Story #3 – I Was Stalked by a Rapist
TRIGGER WARNING: SEXUAL VIOLENCE/RAPE Today, I am sharing my third PTSD story in a series about the trauma I have gone through, which led to my diagnosis of Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. During the summer of 1983, I woke to the rattling of my bedroom window....
Possible Causes of PTSD, Besides Combat
There are many possible causes of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder). The term PTSD is one I had long associated with soldiers returning from war. Shell-shock. Battle Fatigue. Combat Fatigue. Those were terms I had seen in movies. For years, I was living with the...
Stories of Hope in Hard Times
How do you get through hard times? I share some some of the struggles I've dealt with and tips for getting through them.on the podcast Stories of Hope in Hard Times by host Tamara K Anderson. You can watch it below, listen to it below, on Tamara's website or access...
Mental health plays an essential role in our overall well-being, shaping how we think, feel, and interact with the world around us. However, if you’re living with chronic illness, trauma, or neurodivergence, your mental health journey may look different from what is typically portrayed as “healthy” or “well.” That doesn’t mean it’s any less important or that we can’t work towards better mental well-being. In fact, nurturing our mental health is key to cultivating resilience and strength, despite the obstacles we face.
In the mental health section of our blog, we’ll explore strategies, insights, and resources to support your emotional and mental well-being. From mindfulness practices to coping techniques, we’ll share content that addresses the unique challenges many of us face in our mental health journeys. Together, we’ll discover ways to honor where we are and continue moving forward—creating a fulfilling life that embraces all parts of ourselves.
Mental health is not about perfection but about making intentional choices and taking steps that support balance, clarity, and self-compassion.