• Mental health

    Experiencing domestic violence during this covid-19 lock down? here’s what to do!

    Is there anyone else out there who has no idea what day it is? honestly, I have lost count of dates and days of the week. I have never been good with numbers and dates and this lock down situation has done a great job of amplifying that shortcoming. In addition to that, I have also been having a hard time working and concentrating on anything, so! Contrary to popular opinion and professional advice from mental health experts, I have been glued to my TV, watching and listening to the news. One thing I can tell you for certain is that; not a single “news” is good news; From the…

  • Mental health

    In My Mind: Anxiety

    Selfcare Sunday It is very hard to explain to people who have never known serious depression or anxiety the sheer continuous intensity of it. There is no off switch.’ – Matt Haig Anxiety is the name I give to the cruel, restricting grasp over me.  From a young age, it’s been there; haunting me. The symptoms of anxiety have followed me through life – the ‘butterflies’, heart palpitations, recurrent thoughts, panic attacks and more. From primary school, the signs were there. I was very reluctant to make friends and often unwilling to attempt communication. I would much rather spend time alone, either reading or studying, than face my anxiety head…

  • Mental health

    Living With Depression: 7 Tips to Use Daily to Make the Day More Manageable

    Selfcare Sunday Do you find yourself struggling to get things done? Has your to-do list become more of a “to-don’t” list? Has motivation pretty much gone out the window?   I hear you.  I have lived with depression for almost 25 years, and there are days when it is all I can do to put on actual clothes. (As opposed to changing into different pajamas.  Even that seems like a victory some times!)   It seems impossible at times, but you can get through the day.  You can get things done.  You can have a normal day.  Well, more normal than it would be.  No day is really a “normal”…

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    Mental health

    5 Things You Should Do Everyday If You Want to Be Happy

    Summary: Here are five things you need to do every single day if you desire to be happy.  There is so much that is happening in the world around us. If we are too busy with our studies or work, we will end up losing track of these things. It is the main reason why you need to update yourself with the latest news that is happening in the world no matter how busy you might be. If you want to be happy every day no matter how bad your day is with regards to studies or work, you have to do the following things:   Check News In the Morning: Yes,…

  • Mental health

    A Guide To Improving Your Sleep

    Skip Napping Unless You Can Do It Early In The Day While a lot of people enjoy napping during the day, it may not always be the best idea when it comes to getting better sleep. Napping too late in the day could keep you from feeling sleepy at night, making it much harder to get the rest that you need. That doesn’t mean that you have to give up napping. Instead, all that you need to do is squeeze your nap in earlier than 5:00 PM.   Don’t Eat Heavy Meals At Night Diving into a pizza right before bed is almost always a bad idea. Indigestion can leave…

  • Mental health

    Thoughts bite: A mental health story by Olatorera Dickson-Amusa

    THOUGHTS BITE. I took a deep breath, steadied myself. I counted to ten, and then stared at my phone again. Then I reached out my hand and picked it up slowly. I always did this whenever my phone rang, in the hope that if I stalled long enough, the caller would get discouraged and go away. Sometimes I wondered, did this happen to anyone else too? Do other people plan “impromptu” outings for three days just to hang out for a few hours? Do other people turn their knuckles into a weird sort of stress ball, cracking and cracking until they hurt? Without looking at the phone in my hand,…

  • Mental health

    Everything you need to know about Emotional Support Animals

    If you have a qualifying mental condition and your pet helps you cope with the symptoms, they may qualify as an emotional support animal. Emotional support animals are a great tool for those with certain psychological disorders. They naturally help reduce stress and anxiety, which is beneficial for many conditions. Find out everything you need to know about emotional support animals. What is an ESA An emotional support animal is a pet that provides therapeutic benefit to their owner who has a qualifying mental condition like anxiety or depression. Emotional support animals improve the mental health and well being of their owners. Legally an animal can become an emotional support animal,…