Mental Health Articles
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 It’s February, which means Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching.
Whether this is a meaningless holiday to you, or your favorite holiday…you can’t forget to show a little love to yourself! Small ways to show yourself a little extra love: Treat yourself to a special meal Have an at-home spa day Buy yourself flowers Read a book Make up a bubble bath Practice positive affirmations Make a sweet treat (chocolate dipped strawberries are a holiday favorite!) Valentine’s Day does not have to be about romantic love. Valentine’s Day can also be showing love for family members or friends or your favorite fur baby! So, you can get creative during this holiday of love and show a little more love and gratitude for yourself and all that you are! Author: Anne Marie Mathews, MS, SMFT Anne Marie is Currently Accepting New Clients. If loneliness and feelings of isolation are triggered by this time of year, reach out today.
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 The word is out. Winter is in!
The fresh white snow. The cozy evenings snuggled inside in the warmth. Fire crackling in the fireplace. Mug of hot cocoa in hand. It all sounds great, doesn’t it? Well for 10-20% of adults in the US, this is not the coziest season of year. But rather, the season of the winter blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). But what causes this? 1. Less sunlight • It is not just the physical lack of sun on your skin, but a shift in biological clock that occurs when there is less sunlight. This internal clock is responsible for regulating mood, sleep, and hormones. 2. Brain chemical imbalance • Because sunlight helps regulate serotonin (which contributes to feelings of happiness), a lack of sunlight in the winter can exacerbate feelings of sadness. 3. Melatonin boost • Melatonin is a chemical that affects your sleep patterns and mood. With the lack of sunshine, an overstimulation of melatonin can occur. Symptoms of this include feeling sluggish and sleepy. Ok, the cold dark days are causing my sadness. What can I possibly do about that? Well. While you can’t control the season or weather, here is what you can do… 1. Start or resume therapy. Our therapists at Healing Reflections Therapy are available to help in-person or virtually. 2. Spend time with people who bring you glimmers of joy 3. Spend time outside in the limited window the sun is shining 4. Adding light to your space that mimics the sun’s light 5. Discover a new indoor hobby or rediscover one that you have not done in a while. Need ideas? Maybe baking a new recipe, painting, journaling, make a soup, reading a new book, do a home yoga or meditation video. Reference https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9293-seasonal-depression Author: Anne Marie Mathews, MS, SMFT I am currently accepting therapy clients. Feel free to reach out if you need help. |
AuthorSMegan Garza, MA, LMFT is a certified Specialist in Treating Trauma at a Supervisory level and is Licensed as a Marriage and Family Therapist. She specializes in work with complex trauma, sexual abuse survivors, and relational therapy. Archives
July 2026
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