Blog posts, news articles, and other resources from The Center • A Place of HOPE
Understanding Holiday Grief The Impact of Seasonal Celebrations The holiday season is often a time of joy and togetherness, but it can bring a heightened sense of loss for those grieving. Seasonal celebrations, emphasizing family and tradition, can act as a stark reminder of those who are no longer with...
Dreaming – we all do it, yet it remains a bit of a mystery. Scientists haven't quite unraveled the purpose of dreams, but they do know dreams occur during REM sleep, a crucial stage for mental and cognitive health. Dreams and mental health have a bidirectional relationship, which means they...
70% of adults (and over 90% of teens) use at least one social media platform[1]. You’re likely on social media yourself, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who’s never been on any social media platform whatsoever. But as common as social media is in today’s world, reports show 1...
Anxiety and insomnia are two of the most prevalent mental health problems affecting Americans today. Reports show millions of Americans live with anxiety and don't get enough restful sleep each night. Unfortunately, the hardest part about living with anxiety and insomnia is they can get locked in a vicious cycle...
High-functioning autism in adults presents unique traits, including social challenges, sensory sensitivities, and focused interests. Understanding these signs can help individuals and families seek support and embrace neurodiversity.
With over 7 million students learning remotely in the US alone, and more than half of college students having taken at least one online course, remote learning has become a significant part of the educational landscape[1]. The rapid rise of online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic has left many...
Have you heard of “biohacking”? This increasingly popular concept refers to using evidence-backed self-help strategies to improve your health and performance. While many people use biohacking strategies for their physical health, there are also effective biohacking techniques to maximize mental health and cognitive ability. These strategies are based in science,...
Almost everyone has heard of cryptocurrency. Cryptocurrencies, like Bitcoin, are digital currencies that don’t rely on banks to secure transactions. Cryptocurrency has become increasingly popular recently, with 16% of Americans reporting investing in it[1]. As cryptocurrency trading rises, it’s essential to talk about how this activity can affect mental health....
[c_video service="youtube" vid="Gn8Av8J9olg" image="https://www.aplaceofhope.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Freeze-Fawn-Responses.webp" title="Dr. Jantz Discussed Freeze & Fawn Responses" length="3" /] 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,...
Have you ever felt like you don't belong in your family? Maybe you don't have anything in common with them, or you feel like you can't relate to them. Maybe you've been rejected by your family. Maybe your family doesn't accept you for who you are.
We all use defense mechanisms, whether we know it or not. Defense mechanisms are your mind’s efforts to protect you against painful emotions and experiences. Despite the negative connotation that is often associated with defense mechanisms, they’re not always harmful – some defense mechanisms can be healthy ways of coping.
We’ve all been there: You aren’t hungry, but you find yourself reaching into the fridge for a snack. Or you open a big bag of potato chips to munch on during a movie, only to find that you’ve absent-mindedly finished off the whole bag before you’re halfway in.
Trauma is the natural emotional response to a frightening or life-threatening event. After experiencing a trauma, many people develop symptoms like jumpiness, tension, and hypervigilance. One of the main symptoms people face after going through trauma is difficulty sleeping. Research shows a vast majority of people who live with post-traumatic...
If your job is stressful, you’re not alone. According to the American Institute of Stress, 83% of U.S. workers face work-related stress, and 1 in 4 rate work as the number one stressor in their lives. A whopping 1 million American workers call out of work every day because of...
We all have fears—some of us are afraid of spiders, while others are afraid of heights or darkness. But for some people, these fears become so debilitating they can no longer function. In these cases, a specific phobia may be diagnosed. Specific phobia is a mental health condition that causes...
Imagine a lone tree standing firm in a hurricane. Other trees have snapped or even been uprooted, but this tree withstands the winds. Its branches sway, but its roots stay strong. When the storm passes, the tree starts growing bigger and stronger than ever before. This is the picture of...
The video game industry is booming and only getting bigger—experts expect it to be worth over $320 billion by 2026[1]. Even if you aren’t a gamer, you likely know someone who is. Playing video games isn’t inherently unhealthy; many enjoy gaming without adverse effects. However, for some people, gaming can...
Research has consistently found that mindfulness meditation is effective for supporting mental health. It can reduce stress, increase compassion, and even combat symptoms of anxiety and depression. Suppose you don’t have time for a traditional meditation class. In that case, you may want to try mindfulness apps—downloadable tools that offer...
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The whole person approach to treatment integrates all aspects of a person’s life: