What is anxiety? This is when the mind misreads the body’s response to fear. It can feel like fear, dread, or uneasiness. It’s dis-regulation in the body that can impact one’s mental and emotional state.
What is depression? This is a mood response that causes persistent feelings of sadness and loss of interest. It affects how you feel, think, and behave and can cause other mental, emotional, physical and spiritual problems.
What is healing? Healing has been defined in many ways, but in essence it’s the process of becoming healthy again. It’s to return to a place of wholeness, to restore health, to achieve freedom from condition or ailment. Refer to page 28 of WellNow Workbook for more information.
What are trauma responses? Adaptive coping mechanism(s) that we learn as children as a way to keep ourselves safe. It’s the body’s automatic response that prepares the body to stay safe or survive. The four trauma responses are: Fight, Flight, Freeze or Fawn. Refer to page 23 of WellNow Workbook for more information.
What is wellness? It’s the active process of becoming aware and making choices that support your highest and best self and aligning towards a healthy and fulfilled life. It’s not only about being free from illness but also the process of overall positive change and evolution. Refer to page 28 of WellNow Workbook for more information.
What are methods for change to improve my life on a daily basis? 1) Make a commitment, 2) Be willing, 3) Practice surrender, 4) Practice awareness, acceptance, accountability, and action, 5) seek support. Refer to page 30 of WellNow Workbook for more information.
What does it mean to have boundaries? Honoring and respecting your own needs and wants. It’s knowing who and what is good for you and making choices that support your overall wellness. For example: If someone invites you do something that you’re not interested in, then saying “no” or declining the invite is setting a boundary. Another example is choosing to drink water over caffeine or not remaining in a toxic work environment or relationship. Refer to page 86 of WellNow Workbook for more information.
Can addiction be treated successfully? Yes, addiction is treatable. With appropriate treatment and a person’s willingness to do the daily work it takes to maintain sobriety, the individual(s) can learn how to stop using drugs and/or alcohol and resume a productive life.
Can self-esteem be improved? Yes, it can be improved by practicing and applying daily skills to support the improvement. Examples of ways to improve self-esteem are as follows: get to know yourself, be kind to yourself, allow yourself to experience your feelings, focus on your strengths, learn to accept compliments, celebrate your successes, take care of your basic needs, challenge negative beliefs. For example: if you’re thinking “I am not good enough” challenge that thought by identifying 3-5 strengths, things you’re good at or even things you like about yourself.
Can Mindfulness help my mental health? Yes, mindfulness can be a helpful tool that drastically improves your mental health simply because it’s the practice of being present without any judgment on self or others. It teaches you how to no longer dwell on your past or worry about your future. Refer to page 77of WellNow Workbook for more information.
Can my mental health get better without going to therapy? Yes, it is possible to get better without therapy, however, it depends on the nature of what it is you’re struggling with and looking to improve as professional help may be needed.
Struggling with anxiety, stress, fear, or depression and don’t know why? This is common for a lot of people. Check out Stephanie’s workbooks, WellNow and/or Mindful Makeover, as both have been written as an easy, actionable guide to help individuals not only gain awareness of what’s holding them back but also break free from old habits and create healthier ones.
Is it possible to let go of fear? Yes, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Overcoming fear is a process and a practice. Fear is seeing threat or perceiving threat even if there is no real threat. Start by paying attention to your thoughts, the narrative you are living by. Examine the evidence to your thoughts because most often, there is no evidence to support the fear-based thinking and by thought alone, fear can be created.
Is it possible to overcome anger? Yes, it is possible to overcome anger, however, this isn’t something that happens overnight. It takes time and daily practice to learn how to manage anger and develop healthy coping skills. Individuals can’t control external factors that trigger anger; however, it is possible to control one’s response to external factors.
I can’t afford therapy; how do I get the mental health help I need? There are several self-help apps available that could be a helpful tool to you. Also, check out Stephanie’s workbooks, WellNow and Mindful Makeover, as she specifically wrote these workbooks to be as if it’s your “therapist on the go.”
Is it possible to heal from an unhealthy relationship? Yes, but it can take time, so give yourself the space you need to heal and recover from the toxic relationship. It’s important that you look within yourself and focus on healing you as it’s a waste of energy to try and change what can’t be changed – the past. Be compassionate and patient with yourself. You can’t rush your healing, but you can heal.
