In June, I realized that female CEOs are facing a mass reckoning. Some faced accusations of racism and toxic work cultures, while others walked away at the right time before COVID-19 ramifications could fully take their fortunes. I still believe that you can achieve whatever you want to achieve, but of course, there are limitations. We are recognizing and acknowledging our privileges, shortcomings, and other truths for the illusions they can become.
Read MoreThis Thursday, I will give you more tips on how to create an effective presentation — at least how I do it. There are so many ways to craft a presentation, but I will help you find a method that works best for you. In this week’s Mental Health Moments blog post, I want to talk more about presentation anxiety. So many people I know have it or have experienced it in the past, so I want to share what works best for me.
Read MoreDuring a recent therapy session, my therapist told me about the “drama triangle” to aid me in my journey for self-actualization and healthy ways to combat challenging dynamics in life. I must admit, since learning about this social model of human interaction, the way I look at the world has changed. I don’t want to freak anyone out, but I can recognize the behavior in anyone I know and meet now. It’s immensely helpful, especially if you’re trying to figure out why you feel like you’re in a rut or want to better understand those around you.
Read MoreHow do you lessen your social media usage as a public relations pro when you want to focus more on your mental health? After all, we are expected to manage our own digital footprints and those of others, so it’s challenging to not have some sort of social media persona. I feel so much happier because of this decision to not post as much. Here are some ways that you can use social media for business purposes but begin to “break up” with it personally.
Read MoreAs many of you know, mental health is one of my most coveted personal and professional journeys. It’s a vital part of who I am and who I will continue to be as I grow into more of who I am meant to be as a persona and professional. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and while mental health is important 24/7/365, we pause during this month to take a deeper look into illnesses plaguing one in five adults in the United States. These tips will help you, no matter what you are experiencing in your life currently.
Read MoreI have worn my entire heart on my sleeve my entire life. Even when others can’t see it or I purposely hide it, my sentimentality is my saving grace but largest life villain. There have been plenty of times that I have used my heart to guide me instead of my brain. I’ve given to others who are incapable of reciprocating kindness and even basic human decency. I used to be obsessed with helping others, to the point that I risked my own well-being and got myself into some trying situations. (I’m sure a lot of us can say the same!) So, what are some benefits of sentimentality?
Read MoreI don’t know about you, but during this period of self-quarantine, I have been increasing my time devoted to video games. I’m here to tell you that I LOVE and advocate for video games, and they do wonders for mental health, stress relief, and an overall sense of community. How can video games help you with your mental health and other facets of life?
Read MoreI’m on Week 12 of my self-quarantine, and trust me when I say this: I find it difficult to maintain a certain level of motivation during these challenging times. Like many of us, I hyperfocus on press conferences and the latest news about COVID-19/novel coronavirus. (Obviously, due to my line of work, I assess the pros and cons of each press briefing and THEN pay attention to the news at hand.) How can you maintain your sanity -- especially with work initiatives -- when you’re cooped up in your home? Here are three ways that help me.
Read MoreThe coronavirus pandemic is enough to induce panic, especially for those of us who are more inclined to anxious and depressive behaviors anyway. How can you reduce anxiety, depression, and overall stress when you’re worried about the effects of the coronavirus? Here’s what I have been doing, and I hope this will help you, too.
Read MoreFor natural introverts, environments matter. While I can truly work from anywhere -- as long as it has a WiFi connection -- I thrive in areas tailored to me. Why do our office environments matter to our mental health?
Read MoreFor this week's mental health moment, I wanted to focus on getting through those tough winter months and dealing with seasonal mental health struggles. Not talked about nearly enough, it’s something that affects a lot us. The lack of activity, less exposure to the sun, and getting dark SO early can make it a challenge to get through. I know for myself, I can’t wait until the sun starts shining in March. Spring is on the way, along with that vitamin D! So how do we beat those pesky months and make it to the sunshine days you ask? Well, here are a few tips I’ve picked up over the years!
Read MoreWords have always had power for me. They set the stage for my positive mental health goals, and as a writer, I use them to tell countless stories #behindthehourglass. This year, I am focused on the words, “renaissance” and “regal.”
Read MoreI’m going to be fully transparent here. I feel all of you introverted communicators, mental health warriors, and general Christmas lovers need to know that even the most Christmasy of Christmas lovers sometimes fights depression during this time of year.
Read MoreWhat is one story you want to tell if fear wasn’t in your way? Oh, my friend. Do you have all afternoon? I have quite the mental list. I’ve been keeping it for years! Own your process and your story. Choose parts of it to tell, if you’re like me and don’t want to tell everything all at once. There is someone somewhere who needs it. Even if just one person relates to me, I will feel 1,000 percent honored.
Read MoreI have a confession to make: I haven’t always lived my most authentic life. My anxious-and-depressive wheel constantly spins behind my PR face. I am in a very public profession (I mean, public is in the name, after all), so I always wanted to put that fact first. The truth is, when you don’t show your actual personality, your efforts won’t resonate with your audience. Here are three ways you can own your story and begin to live the life that falls in line with who you truly are.
Read MoreI’m no stranger to talking about mental health. I opened the door into the private rabbit hole of my mind in an op-ed piece in May 2018, and I haven’t stopped advocating for mental health issues since. Today is World Mental Health Day, so I am feeling a natural sense of reflection for my own mental health journey. I usually save these posts for every other Tuesday’s Mental Health Moments blog entries. Today is a celebration of where all of us have been on our mental health missions and where we will continue to go.
Read MoreI love a good challenge. I don’t mean just of the small business variety, but a daily practice that encourages me to make better choices and lasting changes. That is why Rachel Hollis’ #Last90Days Challenge appealed to me. Each year, I struggle from October to December. While this time of year is my absolute favorite, I usually drink my basic pumpkin spice lattes with added stress. My time management takes a backseat to holiday gatherings, trying to find the perfect gift for everyone, jamming 5,000 new business ventures into the fourth quarter and so much more.
Read MoreI recently began listening to the book, Essentialism by Greg McKeown, on a work business trip. (Yes, I do personal and professional development while I am even in the car.) As someone with an often-cluttered mind, I always want to streamline processes and be productive, even when I don’t feel motivated. At its core, essentialism means “a belief that things have a set of characteristics which make them what they are, and that the task of science and philosophy is their discovery and expression; the doctrine that essence is prior to existence.” Author Greg McKeown begs the question that I posed at the beginning of the blog post -- what if you focused on what you could do less of but better?
Read MoreForgiveness can be a complicated word. At its root, it means a “release” -- the release of negative emotions and resentment. Thus, a feeling of neutrality or positivity takes its place. When you forgive someone, that doesn’t always mean that you will reconcile with them. Things may not go back to how they were, and in some cases, you will choose to forgive and walk away. That has happened to me countless times in my personal and professional life, and I’ve learned so much about forgiveness throughout my life. Experiences are the best teachers, after all.
Read More“Things will be okay. Just snap out of it.”
If you have ever experienced acute or chronic depression, you know that this statement -- as well as others -- are not the most effective way to communicate with you in a depressive state. So, you’re feeling depressed, and it doesn’t seem to go away. If the following symptoms are compromising your daily activities and overall life for more than two weeks, you could be experiencing a depressive episode.
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