Imagine someone tried alcohol for the first time at a party. It made them feel excellent, as it released large amounts of dopamine, a brain chemical involved in feelings of pleasure and reward. The next week, when they were stressed at work, they remembered how good the alcohol felt and decided to stop at the…
Blog Archives
Childhood Depression: Signs and Steps
How does depression manifest in children? There are a variety of factors that can contribute to childhood depression: situational stressors, biological influences, and hormonal changes associated with puberty. The child might not know how to express their emotions, so here are some outward signs that may indicate depression: Loss of interest in things they previously…
What Is Wellness Coaching and How Can It Help Me?
Wellness Coaching, sometimes called “Life Coaching” or “Health Coaching” began to emerge as a field around 20 years ago mostly helping executives and businesses be more productive with increased satisfaction. Positive psychology, founded by Martin Seligman, noticed a trend that when clients addressed how to improve their well-being in psychotherapy, clients began to improve in…
A Deeper Understanding of Adenosine and Melatonin
The brain is a complex network where electrical signals cause neurotransmitters to be released through pathways of neurons. Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers that facilitate communication within the brain and throughout the nervous system. Of the many neurotransmitters in our brains, one class called Purines contains ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) and Adenosine. ATP can be thought of…
Navigating Loss: Coping with Grief and Finding Solace
Life is a journey peppered with highs and lows, moments of joy and instances of profound sorrow. When faced with the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a move to a new state, the loss of something deeply meaningful, the weight of grief can be overwhelming. The Holmes and Rahe Stress…
How can I get along better with others?
Do you have that one grumpy co-worker that seems impossible to get along with? Do you feel that disagreements get in the way of friendships? It is inevitable, we all encounter people that we do not like and do not get along with, or seem to not like us. These can be people at our…