Articles

Why your mental health is worse during the holiday season and what to do about it. BY SARAH AND MICHAEL ZELLER  To read the actual article as it appeared in Nashville Lifestyles Click Here. Gone are the days of daydreaming about what might be awaiting us under the tree. Instead, we’re probably zoning out thinking about gift lists, workplace bonuses, and finding a babysitter for the holiday...

Does this feel familiar? You’re back home for the holidays. You wake up at noon and roll out of bed to find the coffee pot empty. You’re surprised by how outraged you feel at your brother, who most certainly took that last cup. Your mom asks you a question about your plans today and you immediately lash out, feeling defensive. You find yourself fighting with your sister over things you truly...

When you think about setting boundaries, what happens in your body? Do you notice a change in your heart rate? You may feel a weight in your chest or a pit in your stomach. Are you flooded with extra nervous energy or are you falling into a sleepy lull? If so, you aren’t alone, and you definitely aren’t overreacting. Long ago, belonging was necessary for human survival. Living alone in the wild...

If you grew up in purity culture, you may find it nearly impossible to connect with your sexuality in a way that feels genuine and enjoyable. You may experience PTSD symptoms during consensual sexual experiences, even within marriage. You may wonder if the sexual violence you’ve survived must be because you were too loud, too tempting, too alive. Shame may be such a regular part of your identity...

What does it feel like to dissociate? If I have trauma, does that mean I dissociate? If I don’t have trauma, does that mean I can’t dissociate? Sometimes I zone out while I’m driving, does this mean I have a disorder? Dissociation is a hot topic these days. Now that it has officially entered the chat, many people have a name for what they experience. However, this newfound awareness can bring...