Author: Jamie Wiebe

Contributor

‘Am I Anxious?’ 6 Common Signs of Anxiety

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Man in plane

Some people just know they have anxiety the same way they know they have blonde hair, or blue eyes, or a fondness for chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream. But for others, the signs might be more subtle — or, if you grew up in a family or culture that places less emphasis on mental health, you may not even know what signs to search for.

If you’re debating whether you have anxiety, let’s start with the simple truth: You probably are. Most non-anxious people don’t worry about if they do or do not have anxiety!

But if you’re still wondering whether you’re anxious, below are some symptoms to clue you in. Continue reading ‘Am I Anxious?’ 6 Common Signs of Anxiety

5 Ways to Strengthen Your Support System

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
House on edge of cliff

When you think of a support system, you might imagine yourself as a character in Friends or How I Met Your Mother. You and your five best buddies, hanging out at your favorite coffee house or bar, ranting about your day. That’s supportive — right?

Yes, friendships are an important element of your support system. But the roots must go deeper, touching both your personal and professional lives and providing a wide range of outlets if one element isn’t working. For example, maybe you need support because your friends are at odds — having multiple resources helps ease your stress.

Science says a strong support system is essential, and can even help improve health outcomes. If your own network struggling, here’s how to beef it up. Continue reading 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Support System

Here Are the 8 Worst Pieces of Relationship Advice

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A couple embracing under water

No matter who you are, where you live or what you believe, there’s one thing that unites all of us Earthlings: complaining about relationships. Whether you’re in one, looking for one, or have sworn the whole charade off, you’ve probably heard some terrible advice from well-meaning friends.

Here are our least-favorite snippets of relationship wisdom — from outright lies to misleading half-truths. Continue reading Here Are the 8 Worst Pieces of Relationship Advice

Am I Being Assertive or Stubborn?

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Donkey on a beach

Winning arguments isn’t a personality flaw. There’s nothing wrong with standing up for your beliefs. “Assertive” is an admirable personality trait — just like “good-hearted” and “honest.”

“Stubborn,” though? That’s a name no one wants to be called.

When an assertive personality starts to tip into obstinance, friends and family may drift away and work performance might suffer. No one wants to spend time with you anymore — and that sucks!

How do you know if you’re toeing the line? Here’s how to tell if you’re being assertive or just being a jerk. Continue reading Am I Being Assertive or Stubborn?

Why You Should Stick with Therapy, Even When It’s Tough

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Man smiling at the sun

No matter how eager you are to change your ways, there will come a point in therapy when you think, “This sucks. Dante forgot to include ‘Therapy’ as the tenth layer of hell.”

It’s hard work. Maybe you had a panic attack during a session, or realized some difficult truths about your personality. Sometimes therapy is boring, or you’re convinced your poor therapist is bored. You talk about the same things week after week, over and over again, and nothing in you is changing. Continue reading Why You Should Stick with Therapy, Even When It’s Tough

6 Tips for Getting in Shape When You’re Depressed

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Shadow of woman in gym

Experts often say that exercise helps cure depression — but for many of us, regular exercise is already one of the world’s most difficult challenges. Getting to the gym while depressed? That’s asking a lot.

But the experts aren’t wrong: a regular exercise routine does help with depression. Exercise helps you sleep better, improves your overall health, and gives you confidence. Plus, exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins are part of what make you happy.

Not sure how to stick to an exercise routine when you’re already feeling down? These tips may help. Continue reading 6 Tips for Getting in Shape When You’re Depressed

6 Ways to Recover When You Slip Up

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Person stepping on a banana

Once the dregs of February and March hit, it’s easy to look back at our starry-eyed New Year’s selves and laugh. “You thought you could lose 30 pounds this year?,” we might chuckle. “You’re dreaming.”

Whether you wanted to lose weight, stop drinking, run more often, or just commit to taking your wee poodle Murphy on more walks, soon enough resolve hits reality. And sometimes, when the going gets tough, we fall off the wagon. Continue reading 6 Ways to Recover When You Slip Up

6 Ways to Build Your Intuition

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Looking into a crystal ball

Making a tough decision means trusting your intuition. But how do you determine what’s actually intuition, and what’s anxiety, fear, or anger? Any number of emotions can cloud your judgment, obscuring the truth of what you want.

To simplify decision-making, learn how to trust your intuition. Practice ignoring fleeting thoughts, dismissing anger and fear and choosing your desires — not anyone else’s.

Here’s how to know what your gut wants. Continue reading 6 Ways to Build Your Intuition

5 Ways to Face Regret

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
Sad pug

Mistakes linger cruelly in your mind. Something dumb you did in fifth grade can still make you cringe two decades later. And big errors — ones that affect your friends and loved ones — those can depress your entire mood for years at a time.

Regret can be painful. Whether you’re regretting a long-lost relationship, hating yourself for hurt you caused your friend, or simply focused on a poorly thought-out comment, the notion that you should have been better may preoccupy your mind. Continue reading 5 Ways to Face Regret

7 Alternative Types of Therapy That May Surprise You

Author By Jamie Wiebe, Contributor
Posted:
A horsegirl rides a horse into the sunset. And, like, way in the back, there are some geese just flyin'.

The word “therapy” often brings to mind a specific scene: the patient on a couch, the therapist on a chair, and a box of tissues on a side table. But a number of unique therapeutic practices replace the traditional counselor’s office with something new — a horse, a chessboard, or even the great outdoors.

These seven novel kinds of therapy may seem strange, but they have proven benefits. Could one of them work for you? Find out below. Continue reading 7 Alternative Types of Therapy That May Surprise You