For many of us, work can be a major source of stress, anxiety, and pressure. Mental health is often negatively impacted by long work hours, strict deadlines, interpersonal conflicts, and/or ongoing pressure to perform at one's best. Compromised mental health inevitably leads to a variety of issues, such as lack of engagement, limited productivity and poor performance, as well as compromised communication. Studies have shown that depression can interfere with one’s ability to complete physical job tasks about 20% of the time and reduce cognitive performance about 35% of the time. See below for a few suggestions on managing mental health in the workplace:

Life can get stressful! Whether it’s work, dating, family or just trying not to sweat through your new shirt in the hot subway on the way to your office, stress often creeps into our lives and our bodies. Have you ever been going through a rough patch and started to cry in your pigeon pose or maybe even warrior two? Most of our stress and negative emotions are stored in our hips. By doing hip openers we’re letting go physically and emotionally. Below are four great yoga poses to slide into on days when life is feeling extra tense. You may want to have a box of tissues handy, just in case.

If you are currently reading this, you are likely looking for tips to find the right therapist. With so many therapists out there, finding the right person to work with can feel like a needle in a haystack. However, it’s not impossible to find a suitable therapist for yourself. Here are a few things to be thoughtful about when seeking a therapist:

For many young people, going to sleep-away camp is a memorable rite of passage. It's an opportunity to make friends, seek out new and fun activities, and live in a different environment away from home. Going to sleep-away camp might be your first time away for an extended period and this can provoke anxiety. While pre-camp jitters are normal, there are some ways to create a smooth transition to sleep-away camp and have a rewarding and positive experience.

Starting therapy can be intimidating, especially if you've never done so before. Even if you are aware it's something you want or need to do, that first session can bring up a lot of uncertainty about what the process will actually be like. If your first therapy appointment is coming up soon, here's a quick rundown of some things you can expect:

Living in New York City can be exciting, but the fast-paced lifestyle can also bring increased stress and anxiety for many residents. From busy, noisy streets to crammed subways and endless to-do lists, the constant stimulation of the city that never sleeps can take its toll. According to the American Psychological Association, 87% of New Yorkers say that stress has a strong impact on their personal health. It's true that even the most resilient New Yorkers can find themselves overwhelmed in this environment at times. Consider the following when managing the bustling New York City lifestyle:

Supporting someone close to you who struggles with mental health issues can at times be challenging and complicated. Many people worry that they don’t know how to go about it or that they will exacerbate the issue. These are normal concerns, but supporting someone–be it a friend, a partner, a child or a parent– on their mental health journey, may benefit the both of you. Your loved one will likely appreciate the support during a time that they may feel confused, isolated and alone.

Body image is a combination of feelings and thoughts that you may have about your body. A person's subjective perception of their body can range from positive to negative, and they can feel both positive and negative emotions at different times. Both internal (inner life/personality) and external (social environment) elements impact one’s body image. Having a more positive view of your physical body includes self-acceptance and self-appreciation, while also focusing on self-care. In our world of relentless comparisons and unrealistic beauty standards, it can be difficult to feel good about the way we look. Working towards that goal is a process, but it is not impossible. Here are some helpful suggestions to start creating a positive body image:

Feeling anxious or overwhelmed is a common human experience, and many of us are feeling it. For some, anxiety becomes excessive, persistent, and disruptive to daily life. If you struggle with anxiety, you are not alone. The good news is that there are many practical methods for managing anxiety and encouraging a feeling of well-being. Here are some viable tips for managing anxiety and promoting a calmer mind:

New York City is one of the most crowded and bustling cities in the US. It is a great place to meet new people, try different things, eat unique food, and explore the many opportunities the city offers. However, it can also be overwhelming, especially for folks with social anxiety. Social Anxiety Disorder can be defined as an intense and persistent fear of being judged by others. Social Anxiety Disorder can interfere with basic daily life activities, like going to the grocery store or filling up your gas tank. With its constant sirens, jackhammers and relentless honking horns, New York City can seem like the most intimidating place in the world. Whether you are a newcomer to the city or a longtime resident, here are some helpful strategies for managing social anxiety: 

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the need for mental health services, particularly among young adults. Despite this uptick in demand for mental health support, the supply of providers in New York has not kept pace with greater need. Teletherapy helps bridge this gap by giving New Yorkers more options to access care quickly, comfortably and efficiently.

When the weather is cold and the days are darker, it can be challenging to keep up a happy and upbeat mindset. The ‘winter blues’ are quite normal and many people experience feelings of sadness and loneliness during the chillier months. A more severe form of the ‘winter blues’ is known as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with seasonal patterns. MDD with seasonal patterns is a well-defined clinical diagnosis that can occur in the darker, colder months. According to the American Psychiatric Association, about 5% of US adults experience MDD with seasonal patterns. Symptoms can include fatigue, excessive sleep and lack of interest in normal activities. Here are a few effective tips to manage both winter blues and MDD with seasonal patterns:

As the New Year approaches, many begin contemplating resolutions - losing weight, earning more money, or eating healthier are some of the most common ones. Suddenly, it’s February, and life is catching up with you. You've ditched your resolutions, and now you feel like a failure. Research shows that over 80% of New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February. Rather than setting yourself up for disappointment, here are three reasons why you might be better off skipping resolutions this year.

You may be familiar with the term “holiday blues” - this saying describes feelings of sadness and anxiety that might crop up around the seasonal holidays. The holidays can bring up many different emotions—happiness and cheer—but also anxiety and dread. According to the National Alliance of Mental Health, 64% of people with an already existing mental illness note that holidays exacerbate their symptoms. We may find ourselves feeling more anxious around these times for a variety of different reasons.

Thanksgiving is a time of celebration and gratitude, but for many people, especially for people recovering from an eating disorder, the holidays can be daunting and create real anxiety. Food-centered holidays, like Thanksgiving, can be especially difficult. It is completely understandable that this time of year might bring up feelings of uneasiness, fear, or even sadness. Although these moments might feel especially challenging, you can still celebrate and have a wonderful holiday season, even in recovery.

In the United States, around 30 million people are struggling with an eating disorder. This is a massive number that includes people of any age, ethnicity, socioeconomic level and gender. When it comes to eating disorders, there are many misconceptions and assumptions that have harmful impacts on the way we see ourselves in society.

My favorite definition of mindfulness is "mindfulness is paying attention to your life, here and now, with kindness and curiosity." (Amy Saltzman) Mindfulness can be accessed through journaling that is non-judgmental. A journal is a safe space to practice paying attention to your life and emotions, here and now. Journaling can be a mindfulness experience that people find more comfortable than meditation. It is an active form of mindfulness which for some is more accessible. Journaling and mindfulness both reduce stress and anxiety as well as help a person gain a sense of self reliance and confidence. Being able to support yourself through challenging emotions or issues in your journaling is really helpful in building a strong relationship with yourself and adding to your feelings or positive self esteem.

Have you ever felt a sense of renewed energy and elatedness after a long run or bike ride? This is because physical activity releases endorphins, endocannabinoids, dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in our bodies. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, physical exercise has many well-established mental health benefits, including a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, enhanced brain health and cognitive function, providing a better night’s sleep, and overall improved quality of life. Increased physical activity also promotes higher self-esteem and self-confidence and can distract from negative, intrusive thoughts and boost moods.

Have you ever felt a sense of renewed energy and elatedness after a long run or bike ride? This is because physical activity releases endorphins, endocannabinoids, dopamine and other feel-good chemicals in our bodies. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, physical exercise has many well-established mental health benefits, including a reduced risk of anxiety and depression, enhanced brain health and cognitive function, providing a better night’s sleep, and overall improved quality of life. Increased physical activity also promotes higher self-esteem and self-confidence and can distract from negative, intrusive thoughts and boost moods.

Having anxieties about a new school year is normal, and you are not alone. Many people face uneasiness with the transition from summer back to school. What’s most important are the steps you take to process these emotions. Getting back into the groove doesn’t have to be difficult, and there are things you can do to help ease the transition back to school.