Blog for Better Living

How to Handle Stress and Anxiety After the Election Results

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | January 10, 2025

Emotions ran particularly high during this election season given the significance of the topics being debated, such as women’s reproductive rights, immigration and mass deportation, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and transgender rights, to name a few. Our country remains in a state of political divisiveness. As such, it is understandable that those on the losing side […]

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Anger, Anxiety, Depression, Racial Justice, Stress

Thought Crimes: Why Your Thoughts Don’t Define You

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | December 6, 2024

Have you even beaten yourself up, judged yourself, or felt ashamed for having a thought that might upset others if you shared it with them? Does thinking poorly about someone make you a bad person? Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung was among the first to grapple with these concepts, which are referred to as “thought crimes.” […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress

Cultivating Calm in Crisis

By: Ashley Malooly, Ph.D. | November 22, 2024

As much as we hope to avoid them, at some point or another, we are all inevitably affected by crises in our lives. For example, an unexpected bill shows up, a pet or a child falls ill, your flight gets canceled, you need to have a high-stakes conversation with a loved one. All these situations […]

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Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Balancing Motherhood This Holiday Season

By: Niyatee Sukumaran, Ph.D. | November 15, 2024

The holidays are a time when traditions, family gatherings, and festivities take center stage, and for many mothers, this means taking on the responsibility of organizing the celebrations. The role of the mother as the “heart” of holiday traditions is deeply ingrained in many societies, particularly in cultures where familial ties and communal gatherings are […]

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Anxiety, Family, Holidays, Stress

Overcoming Midlife Malaise: Simple Strategies for Renewal

By: Demet Çek, Ph.D. | November 1, 2024

What is my purpose? How can I make the most of the time I have left? Is this all there is to life? If you’ve been pondering these questions, you may be experiencing midlife malaise. While having a “midlife crisis” is often stereotyped by getting a divorce, splurging on an expensive sports car, and pursuing […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Relationships, Stress

Non-Psychological Factors Contributing to Anxiety: It’s Not All in Your Head

By: Jen McWaters, Psy.D. | October 25, 2024

Anxiety is commonly associated with psychological triggers like stress, trauma, or major life changes. However, many people experience anxiety that arises from underlying physical and environmental factors that frequently go unnoticed. The body and mind are closely interconnected, and disturbances in physical health can appear as emotional and cognitive symptoms. If you are struggling with […]

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Anxiety, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress, Trauma

Understanding Religious Trauma and Its Effects

By: Michael Toohey, Psy.D. | September 6, 2024

Trauma refers to the profound emotional and psychological impact that occurs when an individual’s sense of safety is compromised and their ability to cope is overwhelmed. Such experiences often shatter a person’s sense of security, which can have lasting physical, emotional, and psychological effects. Trauma can arise from a wide array of experiences and is […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Relationships, Stress, Trauma

Navigating Mental Health Advice

By: Kamaljit "Sonya" Virdi, Ph.D. | August 23, 2024

How to Identify What Works and What Doesn’t   Mental health has become a prominent and widely discussed topic since the pandemic, and there is currently more information on the subject than ever before. This change has benefits like de-stigmatizing mental illness and helping people feel more comfortable accessing services. However, the sheer amount of […]

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Anxiety, Depression, Personal Improvement, Stress, Therapy

Self-Care Made Simple With GRAPES

By: Ashley Malooly, Ph.D. | August 16, 2024

Self-neglect and self-loathing are out, and self-care is in! Everyone from celebrities to doctors, morning shows, and even business publications promote the need for improved self-care practices. It’s no surprise that giving yourself some personal time helps lessen stress. Research shows that practicing self-care daily has a profound effect on both our mental and physical […]

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Depression, Personal Improvement, Sleep/Relaxation, Stress