Feeling Connected During Times of Physical Separation
It can be hard to feel like you are still connected when physically separated from loved ones. Finding ways to feel connected even during physical distance can help aid in coping.
Autophobia: The Fear of Being Alone
Autophobia = fear of being alone. Autophobia is not recognized as an official diagnosis but falls within the category of a situational phobia, triggered by the fear of being alone or being lonely.
The Four S’s Of Resiliency
Creating a plan on how to adapt can help one feel more capable to embrace and bounce back from changes and/or challenges. When recognizing how one has navigated these in the past, a greater sense of ability may arise.
Grounding With The Senses
Amidst the day-to-day rhythm of life, it is common for people to feel like they are living from the shoulders up, being tuned into thoughts and worries more than the body.
Mindfulness Exercise to Prepare for Difficult Conversations
To put it simply, boundaries are a way to understand how we relate to ourselves and other people. Individuals can have boundaries that range from rigid, to healthy, to porous, and oftentimes someone’s boundaries can be different depending on the context. For example, someone with healthy boundaries around their time may have rigid emotional boundaries. MyTherapistAid.com offers a comprehensive overview of the characteristics of each boundary type.
Stages of Change and Timelines
These interventions are great for exploring and processing through substance use. Using a metaphor for Stages of Change helps the client conceptualize where they are at in their recovery process, and it helps build trust between the therapist and the client. Using a timeline activity helps the client gain insight into patterns throughout their life so that they can better anticipate triggers and potential needs.
Gratitude During the Holidays
This year, holiday celebrations are likely different than in past years. In addition to acknowledging whatever emotions come up for you during the holidays this year, another helpful thing can be practicing gratitude. A growing body of research has shown that people who engage in gratitude practices (even during the COVID-19 pandemic) have higher wellbeing and vitality than those who do not. To get you started, the following website has a great list of ideas about ways to practice gratitude individually or with loved ones: https://daringtolivefully.com/gratitude-exercises
