ACA Counseling Corner Blog

We’ve all heard of the golden rule: “treat others as you would like to be treated,” yet we may be surprised to discover the benefits of this mantra can extend far beyond simply being a good human.

In recent years, a noticeable change was seen in how we converse about racial disparities. For many, these events brought conversations about racial inequality and systemic racism to the forefront.

During the Covid-19 outbreak, it is estimated that overall emotional well-being decreased by approximately 74%.

When we think of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the name resonates with the fight for freedom from segregation and civil rights justice for people of all racial backgrounds and classes. Often overlooked and rarely the focus of media attention was his quiet fight against mental illness.

Changing behavior can be a good thing, but it's important to remember that change doesn't just happen overnight. There are frequently barriers that make changing behavior difficult.

While our memories and experiences of holidays past are not something we can change, we can try to ensure that the current holidays don't add to any emotional burden we may already have. That may sound complicated, but actually all it means is having a little more awareness of the emotions we face at this time of the year, and of taking a little more control of our lives and actions so that we don't end up feeling bad about this year's holiday season.

The perfect holiday world of ads and TV aren't the only reason some of us suffer the holiday blues. This is often a time of the year when we forget about eating and living healthfully. We overeat when tempted by holiday treats. We may drink more alcohol than usual. We probably are blaming the weather and our busy holiday schedule for not bothering to exercise.

When faced with anxiety and worry, our body reacts by pumping out a variety of chemicals, such as adrenaline, that cause various physiological reactions. These chemicals fueled our ancestors' "fight or flee" reaction when that bear attacked. Although we seldom face angry bears today, yet our bodies still react the same way. Sustained, chronic worry can raise our risk of heart attack and stroke, increase blood pressure, lead to high cholesterol levels, and give us stomach aches, headaches and even back pain.

The health crisis this nation has been facing has affected just about every aspect of our lives. While the media gives regular reports on the effects it has had on businesses and the nation's finances, one aspect often overlooked is the negative impact it may have had on the mental health of numerous individuals. Depression is a serious mental health issue, often triggered by major life changes as we are now facing. It's not a problem to be ignored. Here are some tips on recognizing major depression and steps to take if it does occur.