Very few of us are strangers to depression or anxiety in some form, whether it be a mild but unpleasant funk for a few days or a more serious mood disorder lasting months or even years. After all, just being alive usually means that we’ve ridden the emotional rollercoaster, be it due to a personal […]

Having a panic attack can be one of the most frightening and almost unbearable experiences you may ever suffer. Panic attacks, which can hit you at any time and any place, and which generally last ten minutes or less – can truly be traumatic. Common physical symptoms of a panic attack include: Heart palpitations Shortness […]

What if there were a fun, low-pressure way to reduce your anxiety, build resilience, improve your connection with other people, and strengthen your ability to adapt to life on life’s terms? Welcome to the world of improvisation (AKA improv). Improv, or the art of making something up on the spot, without a script, score, or any […]

Generally when we talk about being “stressed”, we mean that we’re feeling overwhelmed and anxious. However, we all need a certain level of stimulation and challenge in order to feel fulfilled, and this crucial amount of stress is termed eustress. Defined by the endocrinologist Hals Selye, eustress refers to “good stress”, or responding to a […]

You probably already know at an intuitive level that after feeling anxious and stressed for awhile, your mood tends to dip a bit. Maybe you’re just mildly dejected, or perhaps you develop a full-fledged depression. Researchers at the University of Washington have recently discovered that a neuropeptide called corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), which under normal conditions […]

“Always move toward your demons. They take their power from your retreat.” (Thom Rutledge) One valuable tool I’ve found for dealing with fear or anxiety is to view my feelings as enthusiasm. This way, if I’m fired up about an upcoming event, I can use this energy constructively and direct it accordingly. One rather odd […]