anxiety

Practical Steps to Wellness

Life is not merely being alive, but being well. – Marcus Aurelius Studies show that sleep and exercise are the two most important factors contributing to wellness and happiness. My Wellness Plan – Part Two focuses on sleep and movement/exercise, as well as the importance of spending time in nature. Adequate Sleep A few nights without sleep can gravely impair mood, judgement, and concentration. Unfortunately, a great number of us are chronically sleep deprived. Stressful schedules, lack of genuine connection, too much screen time, and too little exercise are some common reasons for sleeplessness. Anxiety caused me to have insomnia,Read More

Wellness as a Practice

Wellness as a Practice

My Wellness Plan – Part One Who doesn’t want to feel healthy and happy on a consistent basis? Since being diagnosed with anxiety and depression, I’ve gradually adopted a set of wellness practices that help the good days outnumber the bad and reduce the likelihood of poor health and low mood. My wellness practices aren’t unique. Consistent practice helps me be my best self; when I slip, I begin again. For me, the following are important components of wellness; connection with others, mindfulness and meditation, healthy eating, adequate sleep, movement/exercise, spending time in nature, gratitude, massage, and medication. In PartRead More

Getting more Connected in the New Year

Getting more Connected in the New Year

Welcome to 2019! The New Year is a time most of us set intentions. We put closure on the past and look forward to the future with a renewed hope and anticipation. Right? Maybe that’s my own idealistic view. For many, optimism for the coming year doesn’t look any brighter than what’s come and gone. Mental Health and its effects can weigh us down, forging ahead in what feels like concrete boots. But it doesn’t have too… Those challenges can be compounded by those resolutions we set and don’t keep. You know the ones…to lose weight, to exercise more, or to makeRead More

Scholarship to Connect the Dots Between Mental Health and Learning Disabilities

My name is Morgan Miller and I am a proud recipient of a 2018 NAMI Arapahoe/Douglas Counties Seeds of Hope Scholarship. Receiving a scholarship from NAMI ADCO helps support my goal of becoming a special education teacher. In my studies and work, I have observed an often overlooked correlation between learning disabilities and mental health. My passion for this work has been a dream since childhood. I believe as a future educator, I can help highlight the need for educators to know about mental illnesses and their prevalence in those with learning disabilities. In recent years, I have worked with individuals who haveRead More

Making Mental Health Care Accessible in Denver

Making Mental Health Care Accessible in Denver

As an educator training new mental health providers, it is my goal to prepare professionals who can address the growing demands for mental health care.  As a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor, I believe that it is our profession’s responsibility to also help break down barriers to care – whether they are stigmas, access to services or overall awareness of managing one’s own mental health. In Colorado, mass casualty events in recent years have reinforced the importance of building skills and resources within our communities to help cope with and prevent these tragic events. In an in-depth report,Read More