Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
Where do you begin to support your mental health when life feels chaotic and overwhelming? Notice I said when and not if, because who doesn’t feel like life is chaotic and overwhelming right now? The Depression and Anxiety World We Live In In our fast-paced, fad-driven, fact-confused world, we’re given...
I remember my first group breathing exercise. “This will totally relax you,” our instructor promised. “Breathe in deeply….slowly….now hold it. Longer….longer….now breathe out as S-l-o-o-o-w-l-y as you can….” In my chair, obediently following all the instructions, I was freaking out. Where was the relaxation? I was about to lose my...
Multiple strategies for coping with urgings and cravings.
Around New Years, we make a lot of promises to ourselves—less procrastination, more exercise, less junk food, more study, and so on. Most of these resolutions involve greater will-power and self control, something we always seem to have in short supply. Guess what research shows is the number one most...
Depressed people experience an altered sleep cycle, entering REM sleep more quickly and spending less time in sleep stages three and four.
When a pandemic like the Coronavirus happens in the world around you, it can be incredibly scary and overwhelming. Everything around you seems to have changed and be out of your control. You may be on lock down at home; or be on social distancing restrictions; or you may have...
Prebiotics are substances that support the growth of certain microbiota, while probiotics are made up of the microorganisms themselves. Just one probiotic supplement contains billions of good bacteria. Introducing probiotics to resolve issues means you’re attempting to restore proper levels of intestinal microflora for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients....
How can you put your life back together after addiction? Healing happens when you reintegrate healthy connections with yourself and others. Once you admit you’re broken, you must agree to look at reconnecting the pieces of your life that addiction has torn apart. Your relationships may be strained, estranged, or...
Generally, when people talk about caffeine, they’re talking about caffeinated drinks, such as coffee, tea, and soda. But caffeine is also found in chocolate and foods that use chocolate or coffee as flavorings, including ice cream and yogurt. People aren’t always aware of the amount of caffeine in some of...
Can supplements provide actual sustainable stress and mood support?Stress. The “silent killer” as it is sometimes described. We experience stress to trigger short-term reaction to recognize and fend off danger, kickstart our adrenaline and our fight-or-flight instincts. But consistent, long-term stress over time can be not just emotionally and physically...
Depression will be the #1 disease in the world by 2020 according to the World Health Organization. Anxiety rates continue to rise in our technology-laden, high-pressure society. Can nutrition and select supplements help temper depression and anxiety episodes? Today’s article was written by Therese Borchard and appeared on everydayhealth.com in...
Fat. Really? Isn't fat supposed to be bad for me? Well, fat – healthy, natural forms of fat – has made a comeback. Natural fats offer powerful benefits to your body — and your brain. Your brain is comprised of about 60 percent fat. Billions of cells rely of fat...
To operate optimally, the brain needs a consistent supply of nutrients to maintain its health and functionality. But certain nutrients support the brain's structure more than others. These nutrients are powerful supporting elements for the brain: omega-3 fats, B-Complex vitamins, magnesium, vitamin E, and potassium. There are certainly others, and...
Let’s get a truth on the table at the outset. Your brain and your cognitive function are not optimized unless each cell has sufficient nutrition to function properly. Said another way, the average American diet is so deficient in many of the critical nutrients needed for the brain, it is...
The Surprising Role of Nutrition in Mental HealthIs there a link between your diet and your mental health? The rate of mental health issues among our population is on the rise – the World Health Organization forecast depression to be the number one disease on earth by 2020. Historically, our...
Micronutrient deficiencies in folic acid, thiamine, magnesium, and omega 3 fatty acids have been linked to the prevalence of depression.
Few things are as frightening as losing control, feeling powerless against overwhelming forces. When overcome by events, we can feel swept up on relentless waves of circumstance that hurl us toward terrifying heights and bone-jarring lows. Each event is made worse if we have tried to stop it and been...
Your life patterns are the result of your perception or view of life, and what you believed would happen. These are often forged in childhood. Once you understand your personal life patterns, you will be better able to discover certain perceptions and expectations that led you to either negative or...
The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: