Whether we’ve hurt someone’s feelings or made a major mistake, feeling guilty usually means we feel responsible for something going wrong. Yet, this isn’t the only reason guilt happens.  Sometimes, we experience a “guilt complex” when our life is going great but the people we care about are struggling. Guilt may also arise from mental […]

Hobbies aren’t just something to do to fill time. They can: foster creativity help you make new friends expand your mind (and your brain cells) and even improve your confidence Think about this: When was a moment that you completely lost track of time because you were so immersed in the activity at hand? My […]

I’m sure I don’t have to tell you that dealing with negative emotions isn't a fun process. Whether it’s sadness, grief, anger, fear, disgust, frustration, etc., these emotions can cause you to feel heavy and miserable. The stark reality is that many people are bound up, twisted up, and marinating in their negative emotions. They […]

Our bodies work in amazing ways to protect us. We have a lot of reflexes that do a great job of keeping us alive from the day we are born. In a similar way, our psychological state is also protected by defense mechanisms. In 2015, Waqas and colleagues wrote an academic paper where they defined […]

We've just gotten past arguably the most hectic time of year (And sometimes, the most stressful!). It's not uncommon to be feeling stressed, overwhelmed, or searching for a little chunk of inner peace. If this sounds like you, then we suggest the restful practice of forest bathing, a Japanese concept that involves immersing yourself in […]

I don't know about you, but this is the time of year where I feel like I can actually slow down and catch my breath. At least in North America, the week between Christmas and New Year's tends to be quiet, as businesses slow down, people take some much needed time off and we wind […]

When we hear the term “wellness,” many of us frequently think about our physical fitness, emotional well-being, and mental health. You might imagine a day filled with various self-care activities, like journaling, doing a quick workout or hike, or basking in a warm bath with Epsom salts and candles. However, there’s a realm of wellness […]

Compulsive behaviors are quite interesting - and sometimes misunderstood aspects of human behavior. They refer to repetitive actions or thoughts that individuals feel compelled to engage in, often without being able to control or resist them. While compulsive behaviors are commonly associated with negative connotations, they can also serve as coping mechanisms or ways to […]

The holidays can be tough. Dealing with tricky family situations, or facing money issues, or even just work being more stressful are all difficult situations people have to deal with.  But they can be even harder when we lose someone close to us. It can be confusing to have conflicting emotions every year when the […]