Author: Ashley Laderer

100 Ways You’re Making Your Life Harder Than It Needs to Be

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Woman painting at desk

Everybody’s goal should be to work smarter, not harder. I’m not just talking about work work, but I’m also talking about the little things in daily life that add up, making things a whole lot harder than they need to be. And so, I’ve compiled 100 examples — including many things I’m guilty of.

Hopefully, this list will have you nodding your head and saying, “Uh-huh, yup, I do that!” or maybe even, “Oh crap, I’m doing that RIGHT NOW!” so you can realize some “mistakes” you’re making. Some of them are easy fixes, like, wearing pants two sizes too small. Just go out and get a new pair of pants which you can actually breathe in! But some of them are long-term unhealthy habits that will take time to break — like stalking your ex on social media!

Here’s your chance to be honest with yourself and recognize some less-than-ideal behaviors you should work on. Make small steps and start actively reversing the behaviors, creating better habits, making for an easier life. Who doesn’t want that?
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How a Healthy Morning Routine Can Benefit Your Mental Health

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Woman smiling on street with coffee and bagel

I’ve never understood the people who are able to set one alarm for the morning and actually wake up at that designated time. I didn’t count, but I think I set 15 alarms this morning all in 5 to 10 minute increments. Once I finally got out of bed, I threw on clothes, didn’t eat breakfast and ran out the door — only to be angry at myself, and still not feel well rested. On the way to where I needed to be, I asked myself, “WHY AM I LIKE THIS!?”

I set out to figure out if I’m alone in this mayhem by asking some of my friends about their morning routines (or, lack thereof).

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5 Reasons Masturbation is Great for De-stressing

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Woman with a hand on her skirt and tattoo on leg

While it’s likely that the concept of masturbation was a source of stress when you were younger (because when you’re 11 it’s easy to believe masturbation can, indeed make you go blind), solo sex is great for your health. In fact, the mental health benefits of masturbation are so bountiful that I’d go so far as to claim masturbation is self-care.

If you’re not already masturbating regularly, you might want to add it into your routine (Ugh! What a horrible chore!) Aside from making you feel great, masturbation is great tool for de-stressing. Not convinced yet? Here are some ways masturbation helps you calm down.

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How to be Resilient: The Art of the Bounceback

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Two women with arms up in front of sunset

At some point in your life, something bad is bound to happen to you. This isn’t pessimism, this is realism. Take a second to think about all the less than ideal things that can possibly happen in life. You might get laid off. You might experience a natural disaster. You might fall very ill. You’re more than likely to experience a break up, or have someone around you die.

Life is a series of ups and downs, and this is a fact we can’t change. What we can change, though, is how we react to the negative situations which arise, and perhaps even more importantly, how we bounce back. Let’s talk about resilience.

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7 Ways to Take a Mental Health Vacation (Without Getting on a Plane)

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Feet up on chair in bright room

I’m a huge advocate for travel as a means to improve mental health and wellness since recently experiencing the benefits myself — but I also know that not everyone has the ability to take a week off of work and hop on a plane. Have no fear, because you can still reap the benefits of a vacation without getting on a plane, traveling outside of your state, or breaking the bank. Here are seven ways to take a local mental health vacation!

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Working Hard or Burning Out?

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Man at computer with head in hand

Today, my grandma texted me (yes, she texts) asking if I had anything fun planned for the day. I told her I was heading to a coffee shop to work.

“Do you work seven days a week?” she responded. I realized, I sort of do. But that’s just how life is now, right? Burning out is the norm in America in the 2000-tens. Is anyone not overworked? Does anyone actually know how to unplug from work and compartmentalize different aspects of their life? I asked myself these questions at the end of a yoga class during savasana, the final relaxation during which you’re supposed to quiet your mind and let everything go. Oops!

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International Women’s Day: Speaking Out Beyond #MeToo

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Silhouette of sexist man and woman

Originally, I was asked to write this piece about a time I felt empowered as a woman. All day I sat with the prompt, but nothing came to me. How sad is that?

Over the next couple of days, I asked a few of my female friends if they could think of a time they felt empowered. They couldn’t think of a specific time, either. I felt sad for them. I felt sad for myself.

Of course, all these other thoughts came flooding into my mind — about all the times I felt like my power was threatened as a woman (e.g. most of the time). All the times I’ve been in situations that made me feel like a piece of meat — something to look at and touch, but not a human to be communicated with, respected or honored.

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4 Signs You’re Self-Sabotaging (+ How to Stop)

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Frustrated person at desk with writer's block

If you’re familiar with 1999 pop punk hit “My Own Worst Enemy” by Lit, then you’re familiar with the phenomenon of self-sabotage. If you’re not, allow me to give you a modern rock lesson and an excellent example of a self-sabotaging protagonist…

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8 Ways Being Single is Great for Your Mental Health

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Attractive black man doing exercise at sunset

Let’s get one thing straight: Being single doesn’t mean you’re going to be forever alone. If nothing else, being single is a learning experience — one that happens to be good for your mental health, believe it or not.

So stop stressing over those seemingly endless (and cliché) “I SAID YES!” posts everyone shares on Instagram, and start appreciating the benefits of single life. Here are some ways being single is actually beneficial to your mental well-being.

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6 Ways Sex Is Good for Your Health

Author By Ashley Laderer, Contributor
Posted:
Pensive young woman lounging at home

Have you ever heard someone say, “Wow, that person’s miserable! They need to get laid!”?

Well, that comment may be offensive and unnecessary, but it isn’t completely wrong. Sex may not be a cure-all (though I wish it were) — but it can have a measurably positive impact on your mood, as well as your physical health!

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