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Author: Heather Edwards

Heather Edwards Mental Health Counseling / Articles posted by Heather Edwards (Page 8)

It’s Not Too Late! Set Your Goals for 2016

We’re still in the first half of 2016! But the fourth month & second quarter have begun. Where do you stand with your 2016 goals? If you didn’t write them down, draw them out, or mentally obsess about them, it’s not too late. When you consider celebrating New Year 2017, what do you want to have accomplished? I heard a rumor earlier this year that 2016, according to numerology, is the year of personal development.  So I ran with it. I won’t bore you with my plans, but it helped me shape what is important to me. If you’re still waffling, try out the following tips to start improving your life… Choose one task to do differently each day. Yes, mix up your routine. My yoga teacher...

Bipolar Awareness Day!

Bipolar Disorder is a mental health condition that affects about 5.7 million American adults, or about 2.6% of the U.S. population 18 and older, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Foundation estimates that at least 750,000 American children and teens may suffer from bipolar disorder also. Bipolar Disorder, formerly known as Manic Depression, is characterized by mood swings that interfere with healthy functioning in some or all areas of life. People living with bipolar disorder have symptoms of depression alternating with symptoms of mania, to varying degrees. The depressive part of the cycle typically includes depressed mood most of the day, significant unintentional changes in sleep patterns, appetite, and/or weight, feelings of worthlessness and guilt, loss of interest or pleasure...

Anxiety & Panic are Ruining My Life

“I feel like I can’t breathe.” “My chest is tightening.” “I’m afraid I’m going to faint or die.” You might be wondering if you’re having a heart attack, or other medical crisis. It’s uncomfortable, even frightening. You don’t know what to do or how to make it stop. It seems unpredictable. You feel helpless. You're avoiding certain social situations, or even leaving your home because of it. Anxiety & panic are ruining your life. The paradox is that the more you focus on it, the more you feed it.  And the more you fight it and avoid it, the  more you feed it.   So what exactly is happening? And what can you do about it? I’ll start by defining anxiety and panic, providing some statistics about each, and...

Today I Cried During Meditation

As I followed my breath, body, and the sensations of the moment in meditation, I noticed a warmth filling and illuminating my heart. It called to mind the hurt, trauma, and despair of so many in this sometimes devastating human experience. As I attempted to gently escort my mind back, anchor myself and release the thinking, I noticed an urgency to project those feelings outward. I realized they weren’t thoughts, requiring effort to be quieted, tamed, or changed, but they were feelings and energies reflecting a genuine presence, atunement, and compassion. As I connected with them, a tear softly rolled down my cheek. There was light, peace, strength, safety, trust, and connectedness. I meditated on this.  The tear wasn’t a cry of sadness or joy, but of wanting...

Audio Blog: Reclaim Your Life

[audio m4a="https://g2v.869.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Reclaim-your-life-1.m4a"][/audio]   Is ego, fear, or someone else’s vision keeping you stuck? You are the expert, master, and keeper of your life. What are your guiding philosophies?  Are you functioning from a place of blame, entitlement, lack, fear, and greed? Or from a position of responsibility, abundance, wealth, courage, and charity? And I’m not talking about money – but rather about strength, purpose and meaning. Maybe your mind is scattered and unfocused, or it seems too late to change course now. Maybe you forgot to ask questions and push back a little along the way. Perhaps what you want seems unobtainable. Maybe you’ve never been a lucky person, or there’s too much burdening you to see the possibilities. Our perspective is much like a camera lens. Sometimes we need to stop to...

Where is Your Relationship Headed? What’s your love ratio?

[audio m4a="https://g2v.869.myftpupload.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Whats-Your-Love-Ratio-2.m4a"][/audio] Let's begin with a simple checklist for a healthy relationship. How many of these exist in your love life? acceptance empathy respect honesty compassion compatibility trust understanding vulnerability safety consideration compromise communication shared vision and values passion play Yes, life gets in the way sometimes. Take time out to nurture your love. There are evidence based ways to build healthy, lasting relationships. Here are a few of them...

Psychology Today – Better Grades

Here's another Psychology Today publication with Dr. Mark Banschick. This was posted here on January 10, 2016. It's chock full of simple tips for acing your semester! ************************************* You are back from break, and school has been a problem, with too many distractions, friends, sports…sometimes a boyfriend or girlfriend, or even a break-up. It is not working. If you're in college or grad school, no one's supervising, which is great, butwhen you get distracted, it’s all on you. Even if you are in high school, it's best to be self motivated. So, now as you pick up the pieces from last semester and committing to a program of success. Consider some tips from guest blogger,Heather Edwards(link is external). Create a Routine: Establish a study time, place, and structure that works from the start of...