Happy summer, everyone! Today, I wanted to write a blog post about my mental health experience from a few years back when I went camping and was forced to unplug from Wi-Fi and phones for a night. This camping trip occurred a few years back, but I can recall that committing to unplugging from Wi-Fi
Mental health is pretty complex. It doesn't help that the definition of mental health seems to change depending on who you ask, unlike physical health, which is a bit easier to grasp. Like physical health, having poor mental health could lead to disease (Prince et al., 2007). About 14% of all diseases are caused by
With the summer closely approaching and the local temperature rising, I have had the opportunity to spend more time outdoors in the sun, taking walks, and appreciating the natural world around me. With this increased outdoor time, I have seen a massive improvement to my personal mental health, and I wanted to write a short
As a person who lives in today's busy, efficiency-driven, productivity-focused society, I often feel that I have no time to breathe and relax. I find that throughout the day, I am essentially operating like a machine, driven to complete various tasks within the least possible amount of time. However, I am not a machine, and
Many of us have heard the phrase, “Everyone can benefit from therapy.” That may or may not be true, but one thing is for sure: not everyone seeks out therapists, psychologists, or counsellors to receive therapy (also known as counselling). There are barriers to attending therapy including long wait times, stigma concerns, and cost (Moroz,
March 30th is World Bipolar Day (Government of Canada, 2023). Every year, this date is recognized internationally. There is also a new theme every year. The theme of 2023 was “#BipolarTogether” as a reminder for people living with this disorder that they are not alone. The purpose of this date is to raise awareness, eliminate
Productive Breaks: My Experience As a university student, I often find myself feeling a bit overwhelmed with tests and assignments. I find that taking breaks from studying throughout the day sometimes helps boost my mood and productivity. I have personally found that some of my favourite break activities are those which help me feel productive
What if the way we speak is offensive, hurtful, harmful, or just plain mean, and we don’t even know it? The words we use and the way we speak are quite important. Yes, much of human communication is non-verbal – think of our expressions, gestures, and body language (University of the People, 2023). But language
(Thought Catalog on Unsplash, 2018)During stressful times, I find that I sometimes forget about the little things in life that give me pleasure. I find that reminding myself of these things, and engaging in some of my favourite pleasurable activities, is a great way to unwind after a busy day. I find that sometimes even
Note: The views, information and, opinions expressed in this blog are solely of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Free Your Mind Initiative and Speak Your Mind. The contents of this blog are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of
