Coping with becoming an empty nester is never easy, learn some of the best tactics that helps you manage any major life transition.

The Spotlight Effect is a term used in psychology that refers to our tendency to overestimate the extent to which other people notice us. We will often feel as though a spotlight shines directly on us, revealing all our mistakes and flaws for others to see.

In therapy, there is a lot of talk about self-love, self-compassion, self-awareness, and self-care.  There is one more to add to the list, “Self distancing”…

Affirmations, quotes, intentions, metaphors, journals, are all building blocks for healing. This use of individual words and stories are a common source of growth and insight in psychotherapy. When life is overwhelming, words help you to gain understanding and a sense of control.

The Flip side of despair might be grateful - "That’s the thing about unhappiness. All it takes is for something worse to come along… and you realize it was actually happiness after all." - Queen Elizabeth II (The Crown Season 2, Episode 8: Dear Mrs. Kennedy)

So you are feeling sad and alone….you reach for your phone and at that moment it can either help or hurt. Social media apps can lead to your feeling discouraged or depleted.

But there are many apps out there that can help boost your mood. They can even help you feel more connected. Here is a shortlist of some helpful mental health apps...added plus… they are free!

Did 2020 wear you out? Do you doubt things can improve just because the calendar changed? There are many things outside of our control right now; covid-19, election results, school closings, job loss, separation from loved ones. We get so overwhelmed with these big things that we cannot change- that we often ignore the things we can control.

What are Coping mechanisms anyway? Coping mechanisms are strategies people use in the face of stress or perceived threat. They provide a way to help manage painful or difficult emotions (anxiety, anger, fear etc.). Simply put, coping mechanisms help us to find improved emotional balance.