You’ve probably heard someone jokingly say, “OMG, that’s giving me PTSD!” But the truth is, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a serious mental health condition that affects way more people than you might think.  Nightmares, anxiety, flashbacks, and feeling emotionally numb — these are just a few of the ways PTSD can show up in someone’s life. And it’s not just veterans who experience it. About 3.5% of adults in the U.S. deal with PTSD every year, and one in 11 people will face it at some point in their lives. PTSD symptoms can affect anyone...

You know that feeling that comes over you after a really long overdue catchup with your friends? You feel…healthier, somehow. Lighter, clearer, and more connected to yourself. It turns out, there’s scientific backing here: Friendship is good for your health. One study found higher survival rates among breast cancer patients with close social networks, and research from UCLA proposes a “tend and befriend” theory, which suggests that women may live longer due to their tendency to use social connections to manage stress.  Friendships don’t just benefit our physical health, but our mental health as well. Research...

You are balancing all of the world's weight on your shoulders until one small thing on a random day makes you just stop. You’re not giving up; you’re not even sure how to rest, but what you are sure of is that you’re mentally exhausted. You may also notice that your mental exhaustion impacts your physical health or work life. It isn’t an easy place to arrive, but everyone can relate to being there at one point or another.  The factors that lead someone to mental exhaustion are also incredibly personal; maybe it’s work, your fertility...

When it comes to anxiety, there are a whole range of methods to manage the symptoms. Some require professional intervention from a mental health professional (like a  therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist), while others are lifestyle modifications or practices that can help people with anxiety manage their mental health. Affirmations can be helpful for people dealing with anxiety One way to cope during times of anxiety? Incorporating affirmations into your day-to-day self-care practices.  “Affirmations can help counteract negative and anxious thought patterns by reframing them into ones that are more helpful and positive,” says Neha Darji,...

If there’s one thing we can’t get enough of it’s time. Whether it’s finding the time to get a full night’s sleep, squeeze in a workout, or socialize with friends, it seems like time always has the upper hand. Although it can be difficult, there are free time management apps out there that can help you. Not only can you become more organized, but you can also work on prioritizing what’s most important to you. It’s important to keep in mind that not everybody has the same goals when it comes to time management. For example,...

While postpartum depression can manifest itself differently for every person, it can begin pretty quickly after birth — and can make it almost impossible to do all the daily tasks required of a parent. For Katlyn*, a 24-year-old full-time student from Ohio, it all happened about a month or so after her now three-year-old son was born. Not only were her anxiety levels through the roof, but she couldn’t bring herself to do anything she used to enjoy (like horseback riding) and she was barely taking care of herself. It was a chore even to...

In the pursuit of productivity and happiness, many of us find ourselves juggling school pickup with an impromptu "Can we chat?" Slack message from our boss and a last-minute grocery order. We are feeling completely overwhelmed, overstimulated, and out of control simultaneously. And as much as this behavior is a constant in our every day, it can also be detrimental to our mental health.  So, after spending a small fortune on planners, timer apps, and productivity books, we feel defeated when we don't accomplish our daily to-do list.  First, there is absolutely no shame in...

While often viewed as a physical issue, infertility can have a massive impact on a person’s mental health. In one study of 200 heterosexual couples struggling with infertility, half of the women described infertility as “the most upsetting experience of their lives.” If you’re finding it hard to cope with infertility, you’re not alone. This article will break down the emotional difficulties common in infertility, the importance of finding a therapist to support you, and other ways you can cope. Understanding the emotional impact of infertility While everyone’s experiences are unique, there are several emotional...

This article is sponsored by BetterHelp, the world’s largest professional therapy platform, done online.  Like many people, I was nervous to start therapy for the first time. When I started getting panic attacks in my early 20s, I finally signed up for therapy and realized that everything I knew about it was wrong. Instead of analyzing ink blots and the unconscious meaning behind my dreams, my therapist and I worked on developing coping mechanisms and stress management skills, so I could eventually manage my anxiety on my own.  I started feeling better within weeks, which I...

Three days after my D&C from a missed miscarriage, I walked the beach with my mom.  It was a sunny May morning, the kind of day that tells you summer’s on the way — but all I could see were dark, heavy clouds looming overhead.  We were wading in the water and collecting shells when I found a dime with my birth year. I had no doubt it was a sign from someone or something much bigger than me… a reminder to have hope, even at my lowest point.  I’d been through a miscarriage before,...