Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
We all struggle with memory and focus to a certain extent at times. For example, it’s a common experience to forget the name of someone you just met or misplace your keys. Several factors can cause memory loss, but research shows stress can worsen it. High stress can affect your...
One of the most immediately recognizable physical symptoms of stress is stomach troubles. When you’re feeling very scared or nervous, you might have a stomachache or even feel nauseous. But what, exactly, is the connection between digestive issues and stress, and how can you soothe your stomach when it’s acting...
You may have heard that going through severely stressful situations can cause clumps of your hair to suddenly fall out. But is stress-induced hair loss a myth, or can it happen? And if you’re noticing more hair going down the drain, what can you do about it? Here’s what we...
There is a severe health epidemic happening in America: the widespread epidemic of chronic stress. In the American Psychological Association’s 2023 report, around 25% of Americans rated their stress levels as eight or above on a scale of one to ten[1]. We tend to try to dismiss or ignore stress;...
In the hustle and bustle of modern life, we’re all affected by stress to some degree. But gender inequalities in responsibilities and privileges can make stress feel even more unbearable for women – and it should come as no surprise women are much more likely to live under high stress...
Have you ever heard of the “gig economy”? Many of the people you see around you every day are gig workers. Rideshare drivers, food delivery workers, house cleaners, and more work “gig to gig,” the number of gig workers is growing daily. Reports show more than a quarter of the...
Financial worries and mental health are closely interconnected, often influencing each other. This article examines how financial troubles contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health challenges, along with recommended coping strategies. What is financial stress? Financial stress is the emotional and psychological strain arising from money, debt, and financial...
This article discusses the impact of chronic work-related stress on mental health, providing strategies for preventing burnout before it happens and coping with burnout when it does. What is burnout? According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), ‘burn-out’ (sic) is defined as follows: Burn-out is a syndrome conceptualized as resulting...
Anger is one of the five stages of grief, according to a famous model of grief developed by the Swiss-American psychiatrist, Elisabeth Kübler-Ross in her 1969 book, On Death and Dying[1]. Although the Kübler-Ross model (also known as the five stages of grief model) was developed as a way to...
Human beings come from all different walks of life. But one thing that most – if not all – of us have in common is, at some point, we will lose someone we love. This is a sad fact of life. People die. And the rest of us are left...
This article explains the concept of defense mechanisms. It defines the term, details a short history of the origins of defense mechanisms within psychology and psychotherapy, and gives descriptions of each of the main defense mechanisms. What should you do if you recognize aspects of these defense mechanisms in your...
Stress is a normal part of life. Stressful events can range from minor, easy-to-manage moments, to major or life-changing events that are difficult to cope with. You’ve probably faced many different life events that have been stressful to some degree. Stress isn’t always a “bad” thing – it’s simply a...
You’ve probably experienced this before: You’re about to make a big public speech, go on a first date, or interview for a new job. You’re feeling understandably nervous about it. But, not only are you feeling emotionally anxious – there’s an uncomfortable sensation in your stomach as well. You might...
Have you ever heard of the “fight-or-flight response”? Fight and flight are both common, well-known responses to trauma and stress. They’re biological responses that we, as humans, have to confront dangerous situations. When faced with a threat, our nervous systems can react to help us fight off the threat or...
You may have heard of cortisol as a harmful stress hormone. But cortisol isn’t always negative; our bodies actually depend on the release of cortisol for several key functions. The problem is when high stress, and cortisol release, are chronic. Humans aren’t meant to live under chronically high levels of...
Have you ever not been able to stop thinking about something? You’re trying to get to sleep at night, and suddenly a thought enters your brain. It’s a disturbing and anxiety-provoking thought. Perhaps you can’t stop thinking about a past relationship. Maybe you made a mistake at work today, and...
Possible causes and solutions for feeling irritable and short-tempered. Do you get annoyed by everything? Do feelings of frustration arise often? Perhaps other people notice that you are irritable, impatient, and snappy. There could be many reasons you are short-tempered, and plenty of ways to stop it. Find out why...
We all have our day-to-day worries, but worrying can become an incredibly stress-inducing experience. Although the feeling of worry is a normal human emotion, understanding how to react to and address it is essential. Without the proper resources, knowledge, and coping mechanisms, over-worrying can take over your life and make...
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The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: