Have you reached your threshold for stress in 2020? If so, you are not alone. This is a time of previously unseen turmoil. Each one of us is navigating uncharted territory. To call this scenario frightening would be a vast understatement. The mere act of monitoring news headlines is enough to trigger anxiety.

If any or all of this sounds familiar, take heart. It is normal and okay to feel afraid under such dire circumstances. Through a combination of self-care steps and guidance from a therapist, you can rediscover your balance in the age of COVID-19.

The word “counterfeit” often invokes the idea of fake money. It’s worthless!

Or, perhaps you think of a faux jewel, a forged renowned painting, or even a cleverly constructed fake piece of pastry in a bakery’s window display. Finding out that these things are not real can be a huge disappointment.

By Kassie Soni, MA

Regulating emotions effectively is an ongoing journey. It begins early in childhood when parents and caregivers help to soothe a toddler’s crying over ice cream on the sidewalk or fighting over whose turn it is to go first.

The external events that challenge healthy emotional regulation will change with time, of course.

It may sound simplistic but practicing the habit of positive self-talk is a proven way to fuel personal growth.

On the flip side, giving ourselves negative messages is an excellent way to hamper growth. With time, we begin to believe what we tell ourselves about ourselves. The internal messages we give ourselves color the way we perceive our lives.

In today’s fast-paced society, it seems like we’re all trying to find a way to slow down and enjoy each moment. It can be challenging at times to carve out time for ourselves.

Plus, it’s hard to take a minute or two to notice what’s going on around us and enjoy our surroundings. Many people find that meditation is the key to being present in their daily lives.

By Jim Duncan, MA

Every relationship goes through highs and lows. No partnership is perfect. While these might sound like nothing more than uplifting, motivational sayings, there’s a lot of truth to them. But when your connection feels like it’s in a rut, it’s easy for relationship dissatisfaction to take hold.

When you cling to those feelings for too long, it can start to cause more problems between you and your partner.

By Kassie Soni, MA

In the past decade, the Internet has completely revolutionized dating. While some people still find their relationships through chance encounters or blind dates, dating apps such as Tinder have made it easy (and fun!) to meet potential new partners. However, these dates don’t always go as planned. Sometimes, you may find that the intriguing person you met online is a bit lackluster in real life. Or, they might not even look like their profile picture in the slightest!

When life gets stressful, your first inclination may be to turn to family and friends for support and encouragement. When the tables are turned, you are usually available to support them as well.

Even so, pinning all your stress and worries on your friends and family may become exhausting over time, for them and for you.

Pleasing people fosters happiness and contentment; people-pleasing promotes stress.

But wait… aren’t those the same things?

Far from it. One is a healthy behavior, the other an unhealthy one. One comes from a place of abundance, the other from a place of deficiency.

It’s all about purpose. How so?

We’re all familiar with the most common New Year’s resolutions. Losing weight, getting in shape, and earning or saving more money all top the list.

And these are reasonable goals to have. After all, it’s essential to maintain and improve our health and be financially responsible.