“Try, try again…” “Dust yourself off and start all over again…” “Get right back on that horse…” These are just some of the common phrases we use to support the idea that trying something after it didn’t go so well the first time is a good idea. And in many instances, this is the right attitude. But there is something to be said about taking a break after a breakup. There can be many reasons to stay single for a time after a breakup. When you’ve ended a difficult marriage or relationship, ...read more
Mental Health Habits for 2021
We live in a society that seems obsessed with physical health and weight loss. A majority of people have tried one or more diets to lose weight. People join gyms, juice, and take supplements, all in an effort to optimize their physical health. Sadly, most people don’t give their mental health a second thought, let alone intentionally practice mental health habits. The problem is, no matter how good you look in a bathing suit or how “ripped” you may be, or how low your cholesterol is if you ...read more
How to Turn a Move into More Than Just a Physical Fresh Start
There are plenty of reasons why people move. Maybe you want a nicer house. Maybe you need to be closer to your job. Maybe you want to be closer to family. While most can identify their specific reasons for moving, many chose to focus only on the physical nature of the move. This means they are missing a great opportunity to use this major life transition as a time of renewal, a fresh start. You can piggyback off this life shift and make some lifestyle changes that will benefit you for years to ...read more
Does Therapy for “Baby Blues” Work?
Having a baby is one of the most amazing and awesome events in a person’s life. Babies bring joy and laughter into the house. But the reality is, they also bring sleepless nights and inevitable and irreversible change. Having a baby also brings changes to a woman’s body. During pregnancy and right after, a woman will experience shifts in her hormones. This may cause her to feel some depression and anxiety. This is a perfectly natural response to the event and is called having the “baby blues.” ...read more
How Counseling Can Help You Reach Your Goals in the New Year
If you struggle to set goals, let alone reach them, you are definitely not alone. In fact, it is thought that roughly 92% of the population has found it hard to stick to goals. This constant cycle of trying to set beneficial life or health goals, but never quite reaching them, can ultimately lead to depression. That’s because reaching goals is empowering and helps us feel we are in charge of our life. When we don’t reach goals, we feel powerless and even hopeless that our lives can change for ...read more
5 Strategies to Calm Your Anxiety Quickly
When you live with an anxiety disorder, any moment can become one that creates a slow-rising panic within you. Life is normal one second and the next, you feel your chest tighten and your heart begin to race. You may begin to hyperfocus on future events and find yourself getting lost in “what-ifs.”To make matters worse, you may then begin to berate yourself for allowing the panic to get the best of you and begin to believe that all of those what-ifs are indisputable facts.Luckily there are many ...read more
3 Ways to Practice Self-Care for Improved Psychological Health and Happiness
When we think of self-care, things like soaking in a bubble bath, booking a massage, and reading a good book typically come to mind. While these are all excellent self-care strategies to incorporate into our lives — particularly when we’re feeling stressed, anxious, and overworked — sometimes our self-care needs run much deeper. If you're struggling with managing negative thoughts and emotions, for instance, therapy sessions with one of the counselors at Ocean Vista Counseling may be a good ...read more
Telehealth for Support Group Therapy
Many of us continue to try and make sense of this new world we live in – one in which the novel coronavirus dictates much of our daily routine. Some states are still mandating social distancing and wearing of masks. And many people are still out of work or working remotely for the unforeseeable future. This quarantine has certainly made life more difficult in many ways. One of those ways is making it difficult for some people to continue to get the mental therapy they need. Luckily, more and ...read more
How to Cope with the Stress and Anxiety Caused by COVID-19
If you’re like most people, you are doing your best to stay calm during COVID-19 pandemic. But that can feel incredibly difficult at times. When not worrying about friends and loved one’s health, there’s also the conflicting information provided by the media and the economic ramifications of the virus that have people on edge.Signs of Emotional Distress and 6 Ways to CopeEveryone reacts differently to stressful situations, but most will exhibit some of the following signs:Changes in sleep or ...read more