How Can I Tell If I’m In An Emotionally Abusive Relationship?
Do you ever wonder whether you are in an emotionally abusive relationship or if maybe you are the one with a problem? Does your relationship cause you to feel more drained than happy? Do you feel confused and have doubts about yourself and your understanding of things when you are around the other person? If so, you may be experiencing emotional abuse. Emotional abuse [...]
Why Breathing for Anxiety is So Effective
When you are feeling a strong emotion such as anxiety, your breathing becomes fast and shallow, and your prefrontal cortex, the part of your brain responsible for rational thinking is compromised, making it hard to think straight or talk your way through it. Changing the rhythm of your breath slows your heart rate and engages your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for [...]
What to Do If Your Co-Parent Won’t Stick to a Parenting Plan
When parents decide to go their separate ways, it is common for both to make certain bold declarations, ignorant sweeping statements, and vague verbal parenting plan agreements for the upkeep of their child. Often, one parent has to bear the lion’s share of actual parenting while the other drops the ball. If the former has happened to you, don’t worry; you are certainly not [...]
Children’s Mental Health: How to Navigate Life on the Spectrum as a Parent
No one plans for life to go topsy-turvy, but it can. No one plans to have a sick child, but it happens. No one prepares for the autism spectrum, but one in forty-four are diagnosed. As we navigate into tomorrow, it must be remembered that God has already been in our tomorrow, mapping out our path and meeting our needs. He must become our [...]
How to Deal With Disillusionment
At the start of every new adventure, project, or relationship, we go through a season of excitement. We put our best efforts into this new thing; we are filled with optimism, hope, and faith. It might be getting into a new relationship, starting a new job, making a move, or joining a new community. We imagine what it will feel like once we have [...]
Dating Advice for Men: What to Do When You’re Looking to Connect
When it comes to dating and relationships, there’s no shortage of dating advice for men out there. For every person looking to find help with forming romantic connections, there’s a blog article, tweet, YouTube guru, or “love expert” eager to chime in with a word or two. In one sense, this article is part of that flood of information, but it is hoped that [...]
Six Ways to Improve Mental Health
Since 1949, the United States has observed Mental Health Awareness Month in May. This is a time to not only raise awareness and educate the broader public about mental health issues such as depression, anxiety disorders, and grief but also to create awareness of the everyday realities of doing life with these various concerns. It is important for everyone, not only for those with [...]
What to Do About a Toxic Friendship: Addressing Codependency in Friendships
We all want to have friends that are there for us through thick and thin. We want to know that, no matter what, our best friend will have our back. The truth is, sometimes our best friend is our worst relationship. Codependency in friendships can create a relationship that is toxic to both people. Knowing how to identify the characteristics of codependency will help [...]
Finding Support for Your Sexless Marriage
I grew up in a Christian home. My family attended church each Sunday, and when I became a teenager, I joined the Wednesday night youth group. It was there that I learned important things about sex. I can sum up everything I learned in three words. “Don’t do it!” Somehow, if you stay away from engaging in sex and never talk about it, it [...]
Irreconcilable Differences: Finding Peace Within When Relationships Are Not Restored
“Break Up to Make Up” formed the title and theme of a well-known song released in a pivotal decade in modern history. The lyrics lament one couple’s experience of perpetual tension in their relationship. They couldn’t harmonize their efforts, despite the investment in their connection. Under the pressure, the relationship fractured, and a breakup ensued. Healthy reasons to leave outnumbered the rationale for staying. [...]