SAD

Though the snow is coming down at a healthy pace right now, the days are finally getting noticeably longer... Sunset is now after 5:00!

Ironically, this is the time when many people with SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) start to struggle most. It isn't clear why exactly that is- Some professionals think it's the cumulative lack of sunlight for the past few months, others believe it's related to a delay between the lengthening days and when we feel like we should be feeling better... Whatever the reason it's actually fairly common for folks with the Winter blues to feel a little worse as the days lengthen before they start to feel better.

If you or someone you know suffers from the "Winter Blues" be patient, and know that better days are on the way, they may just be a little further off than you expect. And if you're struggling to deal with those feelings PLEASE reach out to friends, family, or a mental health professional near you. Many people have a similar experience and there are lots of ways to make the tough times more manageable.

Thankful

As Thanksgiving is nearly here, Foundations Counseling would like to share our gratitude as well! First, a huge thank you to my wife, who has supported me in this process, kept me organized, and prodded me when I was slow. Foundations would not be here today without her. I would also like to say thank you to the friends and family that have supported and encouraged this endeavor- with finances, help moving into the space, or offering advice and experience as I negotiated this process. Most importantly, though, thank you to the AMAZING people that have invited me to join their life journey and be part of their growth and discovery! Every session is a reminder of the strength, creativity, and resilience of the people in our community. Without you, there is no Foundations Counseling!

I hope each of you find reasons to be thankful this season, and that sense of gratitude follows you through the rest of the year!

Depression

Many people who experience depression or anxiety have felt that way for so long it seems normal to them! If you wonder if this may apply to you check out the links below and take one of these quick, free screening quizzes to measure your symptom severity. If you are surprised by your results, maybe it's time to talk to someone about how you're feeling. Depression or anxiety doesn't have to be your normal any longer!

https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/depression

https://screening.mhanational.org/screening-tools/anxiety

please note that these tools do not diagnose depression or anxiety, they just rate symptoms. Only a doctor or a licensed mental health provider can diagnose depression or anxiety disorders.

Holidays

Whatever holiday you might be celebrating, or none at all, We hope you find some peace, joy, love and rest in the coming days. Many folks struggle during this time of year because of the short days, unmet expectations of friends or family, or the financial stress that often comes with this season, all of which are certainly impactful. We do have a choice, though, in what we spend our time and energy focusing on. We can't necessarily make these things go away, but we don't have to give them more attention- we can choose to focus on the positive, the uplifting, those things that bring us joy and happiness. Simply shifting what we dwell on from the negative to the positive can change our mood, our outlook on relationships and the future... Such a simple thing, but it has the potential to change so much!

If you're having trouble making a change like this in your life, consider calling a mental health professional to help you. Even just a few sessions can give you the tools and resources to put you on a path to a much more satisfying you!