Tag: mindfullness

Sleep hygiene may seem like an odd term. When we think of hygiene, we often think of brushing teeth or showering. Hygiene can refer to practices that maintain our health. Sleep is an important part of every person’s health. It can have an impact on mental health as well. As summer is nearing its end and school schedules begin, it is a good time to create structure and habits that foster health. Sleep hygiene is often overlooked as one of those crucial practices for our well-being.

 According to the CDC, school age children should be getting 9-12 hours of sleep per night. Teens need 8-10 hours per night, and adults should get 7 or more hours of sleep per night. It is important to note sleep disturbances can increase one’s risk of type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity and depression (https://www.cdc.gov/sleep/about_sleep/chronic_disease ...

The Stages of Change

Do you remember what it was like when you were learning to ride a bike?  How to play an instrument, or drive a car?  The first few weeks and months may have been a struggle, but the results were so sweet!  Mastering a new skill brings a sense of freedom and accomplishment like none other — but there is a process involved.

Many people enter counseling because they are ready for change.  They want to get from Point A to Point B, learn new skills, and write the next chapter of their story.  What some clients don’t realize is that making changes in mental and emotional health and lifestyle is almost never a “quick fix.”  Learning and developing new patterns of thinking, feeling, and behavior takes time.  If you are willing to engage in that process, you can enjoy lasting, meaningful changes in your life.  Here is a brief rundown of The Stages of Change — they ar ...

             Eleri jumped seamlessly, no special notice the piles of hay in her way, except the leap that interrupted her rhythm. Every morning she was up with the crack of dawn, ready to go for her walk. Every morning she ran, so at other times she could rest and eat. The gate of her legs spread, pounding the ground in a musical speed. Her tail wagged delight.

            Animals are fascinating creatures. They have this rhythm to life. Hunt, eat, play, sleep. Hunt, eat, play, sleep. Rinse, repeat  Animals already know a basic tenant of life we humans miss. Life comes with a beat, but it also comes with the ups and downs of rhythms. Work is a glorified element of life in American culture. Or laziness is glorified. And, we’ve missed the beauty of the ups and downs of work time and rest time.

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