What IS Mental Health Awareness Month, Anyway?

What does it mean to have "mental health awareness." In this month of Mental Health Awareness, the month isn't just asking that we're aware of mental illness. It also asks that we are aware of mental health. The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI) says that this is the month to "fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families." From women's mental health to family mental health, this is the month to arm yourself with all the tools available to help gain a better understanding of how far-reaching mental illness can affect families and individuals. And, it is time for you to focus on your mental and emotional health. What is Mental Health? As I [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: acts of self-love, new mental health care model|

Mental Health Awareness: The NEW Mental Health Care Model

In The NEW Mental Health Care Model, I'm urging you to examine your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual self. Turn into yourself, gain insight and awareness of what you think, feel, and do. This new appreciation of self, and what the "self" even is, requires you to engage in meta-awareness. That is, becoming aware of what you're aware of. Acts of Self-Love The Acts of Self-Love I promote on my website and social media are not new to you. In some way, at some point, you've heard of each of these things. However, each of these things together helps move you to greater awareness of choices, better physical health, and more reflective spiritual habits. For the love of your deepest, core, spiritual self, the you [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: mental health awareness, new mental health care model, self-love|

Motivational Media: 5 Ways to Use Self-Helpery to Feel Awesome

All month long, I'm focusing on motivational media as a way to help boost your mental well-being. That is, decrease depression, anxiety, and stress. Self-Helpery is an act of self-love that is intended to give you a steady stream of motivation, inspiration, and cognitive influence. Just like Zig Zigler said, "If you dream it, you can achieve it!" Well, okay then. Let's dream! What the Heck is Self-Helpery? The Universe is vast and filled with wonderment to explore. Self-help media in the form of audiobooks, podcasts, Ted Talks, social influencers, or anything else you can think of, expands what you think you know about who you are and the world around you. Through motivational media, you can learn about your rich, emotional inner world. Self-help [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: motivational media, new mental health care model|

Lessons From Lizzo: What All Our Girls Need To Know

My 8-year-old and I tossed our hair back, checked our nails, and sang out, "We're feeling good as FIRE!" on our morning drive to school today. Okay, yes, Lizzo sings that slightly different, but since the little ones know cursing isn't encouraged in our house, they've substituted this "fire" for "hell." When I'm alone, I'm all out with those lyrics though! Lessons from Lizzo Lizzo is presenting a lot of great lessons for my kids, and I'm loving every. single. one of them. Recently, Lizzo was body-shamed by Jillian Michaels when she said in an interview, "Why are we celebrating her body? Why does it matter? Why aren't we celebrating her music? 'Cause it isn't gonna be awesome if she gets diabetes." I get [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: goodashell, jillianmichaels, lizzo|

The Four Agreements: Words to Live By

Always do your best. Be impeccable with your word. Don't make assumptions. Don't take things personally. These are words to live by! I turn to these four things again and again. If you do these four things, always, you will be living your best life. (That is, along with the 8 self-love strategies to keep your physical and emotional health in tip-top shape).

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: don miguel ruiz, four agreements|

Body Memory Is Feeling Traumatized All Over Again

Bodies and brains are miraculous because they soak in an extraordinary amount of information on a daily basis. But, it's the very happy and joyous and also the very traumatic things that we remember the most. Our bodies hold onto the memories, this is called a body memory. Recently, my traumatic memory of my mother's sudden passing snuck into the crevices of my brain and cells like a thief in the night, stealing away little pieces of joy and replacing them with sadness without me even realizing it was happening. I found myself in the midst of body memory that caused an incredible low period. Body Memory is pent up negative emotions Your body remembers what you feel when you've been traumatized. To release [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|Tags: anxiety, body memory, Depression|

Finding Center When Your Child Leaves For College

It seems like all of life is change, doesn’t it? And change can sometimes feel terrible, but it is also great because when things are happening that we don’t like that means things will eventually change! Little changes, like your favorite restaurant changing their menu, don’t require much recalibrating. But big changes, like a child going off to college, can require major calibration. My Child is Leaving for College I am preparing to send my eldest child off to college in 12 days. She and I have a close relationship - somehow we missed that “I hate you” phase that people always tried to warn me about. I am grateful for the warmth between us. I gave her more and more agency for herself as [Read more...]

By Brandie Sellers, M.S., LPC-Intern|

Spring: A Time for Balance and Renewal

A lot of people set their New Year’s resolutions by January 1st. This practice is borne out of tradition, but when you think about it, it makes much better sense to start the new year in March which is a time for regrowth and renewal. Spring is when new ideas and goals spring forth! No better time than now. Now is always a good time for change. Today is the first day of Spring! Spring is a Time for Renewal The Spring Equinox is in March, and it is when the Earth's equator passes through the center of the Sun. Day and night are balanced equally in time, and this is the perfect time to think about life balance. One glance around you will tell you [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|

4 Ways to Deal with Spring Stress

In theory, spring is supposed to be the time of year when it’s easy to relax. We don't expect Spring stress, but of course, we are human. The sun starts shining again, the days get longer, flowers bloom and heavy winter coats get put away. However, according to some studies, The Washington Post reports that there are increased instances of depression in the springtime. These are attributed to the lengthening of daylight which can mess up your chemical regulatory system. This can also be a symptom of SAD which can be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. A good place to start is by seeing an Allen Counselor to assess your symptoms and feelings. There’s also Easter, a major holiday for some families, and there’s no [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|

4 Activities To Help Turn Over a New Leaf

Spring is the perfect time to turn over a new leaf! Rest assured that although the pun is intended, the sentiment should be taken literally. March is a time of renewal and rejuvenation. Flowers start to bloom and the sun stays out longer. Make like the flowers and find your own way to blossom. From a therapy standpoint, a lot of seasonal mood changes are psychological. This is where an Allen Counselor comes in who can help you figure out how to be your best self. Here are four activities to help find your emotional spring thaw and turn over a new leaf. Keep It Simple Leave the grandiose resolutions for New Year’s and start small. Real Simple suggests making a checklist of all the [Read more...]

By Jennifer Slingerland Ryan|