Developing good sleep habits is essential to maintaining mental wellness. Good sleep habits are also referred to as sleep hygiene. Use these tips to establish a sleep routine to help you get a great night’s rest!

“Smooth seas never made for a skilled sailor” - Franklin D Roosevelt. I have always loved this quote especially in correlating it to mental health.

It is important in times of undo stress to focus on healthy ways of relieving that energy. Be intentional with your stress management techniques. Use them often rather than waiting for intense feelings to become bottled up and then bubble over.

Have you ever been h-a-n-g-ry? So hungry that you become a bit cranky; like in those snickers commercials? That is a good example of a physical need causing an emotional reaction.

Seasonal Affective disorder is a type of seasonal depression that is triggered by the change in seasons. Individuals with SAD typically notice a depression returning yearly around the same time of year; most likely beginning in the fall and lasting through the winter months.

Goal setting is a valuable tool to keeping you on track toward reaching your personal and professional milestones. While goal planning be sure to keep goals reasonable, measurable and obtainable.

The grief and loss cycle is a commonly used illustration in mental health clinics. It depicts the complicated, rollercoaster journey toward healing and acceptance after we experience loss. Some small loss, like the car keys for instance, have a quicker cycle than traumatic losses and completed grief the foundation is the same.

Autumn is fast approaching and it is time to consider what the changing season offers to your self care routine. Many activities that we enjoy are not available for all 12 months of the year (especially true for those of us living in Wyoming) so we must capitalize on them when we can.

There is increasing data that shows a strong connection between your gut and your brain. The gastrointestinal (GI) track and the brain share a pipeline of communication in your body. If you experience intestinal distress, there can be an increase in symptoms of anxiety, depression and other mood symptoms or visa versa

Your brain is the most influential organ in your body. It can be be your best friend or worst enemy depending on the messages it gives you throughout the day. Even when it does not feel like it; you can alter your thoughts and skew them toward the positive .

We all get off track at times. I was shocked today to see that I have not posted to the Constellation blog since Christmas 2019. Where has the time gone! So I find myself needing to get back on track. There is so much value in being able to reassess, regroup and continue forward after a set back.

Your own inner voice has great influence over your mood and self esteem. What kind of phrases do you tell yourself? Is your inner voice kid, supportive and uplifting?

When you are tired, learn to rest and take a break rather than to stop. When you feel overwhelmed, acknowledge your feelings and give yourself permission to pause and recharge.

Life is bittersweet and complex. Not every day will be your finest moment. You will not win each battle. You will struggle, fail and have to regroup. Somedays, the bitterness of loss feels overwhelming. Somedays, your anxiety is sky rocketing.

Teach yourself to rest, to pause, to regenerate. When you want to quit, take a break and rest. See if your perception changes after you recharge. Our lives become very busy and it is easy to transform into “human doings” rather than our natural state of “human beings.”

Developing a relationship with forgiveness is transformative and challenging. Forgiveness doesn’t equate to reconciliation or returning to the toxic environment or relationship that we survived. There are many different ways to engage in forgiveness.

Here is a valuable list of hotlines available 24/7. Please reach out when you need it.

We are often asked for some of our favorite resources, products and books that assist with balancing mood and improving mental health. Here are some of our favorites.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others if you are struggling, hurting, lonely, depressed, anxious or distressed. Communicate your voice. You are not alone. We all need support at different times. Being human is complicated and sometimes we need to talk through our feelings and thoughts with others, need a hug, need a movie night or need someone to be present while we cry.