What is good mental health and how do you define it? Measuring mental health is trickier than measuring other types of health—one’s physical health status can be determined by a series of biological tests. Mental health and mental wellbeing, however, are a bit trickier. Feelings can be hard to recognise for some people, and the … Read more
Anxiety and what we can do to cope Stress and anxiety can be motivating and healthy in just the right amount. Think of it as a well-being scale. Too little stress and we don’t get anything done. Yet too much pressure keeps our nervous system on a drive without any brakes. When our bodies undergo … Read more
Communication We all hear about how important it is to communicate our needs to our partners, but it’s not always easy to know exactly how to. Expressing your sexual needs can be even more of a challenging task. Sexual communication is a skill, and it’s a skill that’s learned; it’s not innate. And like with … Read more
Holiday Pressure Anna had decided this year she would not visit her family for the holidays. She knew for sure that she would be hearing about this for a while from her parents. She could hear it now, “How could you do this to me!” Her mom would shout. “You are so ungrateful. I have done … Read more
Grief during the Holidays Holiday festivities are the times we usually gather with our loved ones to celebrate and create memories. This can make grief and bereavement feel more tangible, intense, and harder to navigate. The ongoing Covid-19 health measures may augment our distress by interrupting our familiar ways of grieving. How can we cope with … Read more
Preventative Model Our current health model is reactive rather than preventative. The notion that many health issues can be prevented through daily habits and lifestyle changes isn’t exclusive to physical health. Mental health exists on a continuum and works similarly to physical fitness levels. The more preventative measures you take, the more equipped your coping … Read more
How our mental health is connected with physical symptoms Helena often felt like she had a chest infection. Her lungs felt tight, and she gasped for air. Was she suffering from pneumonia? When she visited the medical doctor, all her tests seemed to be normal. The doctor asked her, “What else is going on in your … Read more