Blog — depression

What Is Mental Filtering? Exposing This Cognitive Distortion 0

Mental filtering is one of the most common cognitive distortions, impacting your outlook by causing a hyperfocus on the negative while ignoring the positive.

If you've ever allowed one small piece of constructive criticism to overshadow lots of positive feedback for a job well done, that’s an example of the mental filter cognitive distortion.

Over time, these negative thought patterns undermine your self-esteem, relationships, and career path, while boosting stress, anxiety, and even depression.

By learning to recognize mental filtering and using tools to address it, you can gradually reshape your mindset toward a more balanced and realistic view.

Let’s explore what mental filtering is, its effects, and practical ways to counteract it.

Four Fs of Stress and Trauma: Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn Explained 0

Have you ever found yourself reacting to stress in ways that seem out of your control? Those automatic responses can get you in trouble! They can mess with your relationships, work life, and personal well-being.

You are probably aware of the fight-or-flight emergency stress response concept but may not know that 2-only list of instinctual reactions has been expanded as more research into stress has been performed.

As the list has grown, the F alliteration has remained. The expanded list includes Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn. (Some have added others like Faint or Flop, and Friend. I'll explain why I don't typically include these when talking about the stress response.)

I added freeze to my stress response explanations to clients many years ago, but I resisted the idea of growing the list beyond three until I investigated fawn recently for a writing project and got excited about how well it explained some of what I have witnessed in client stories.  

Recognizing the Four Fs stress response can empower you to better manage stress and make healthier choices in challenging situations.

By delving into each component of this primal response, you can gain valuable insights into your emotions and behaviors when faced with stressors. It can also help you understand how other people around you feel and act when they're stressed out.

Let's explore the Fight-Flight-Freeze-Fawn stress response and its implications on your daily life.

15 Important High Emotional Intelligence Benefits 0

Have you ever wondered why some people seem to excel in their personal and professional lives, while others struggle to find success?

The answer may lie in their level of emotional intelligence.

Emotional intelligence, or EQ, is a term that has gained significant attention in recent years. It refers to your ability to understand, use, manage, and express your emotions, as well as the ability to recognize and understand the emotions of others. 

I have been helping people build their emotional intelligence for decades. I am more and more convinced that it is the key to personal happiness, successful relationships, and healthy communities. 

In this article, we will explore the research-based benefits of having a high emotional intelligence quotient. So, if you're curious about how emotional intelligence can benefit you, keep reading to discover the key advantages it offers.

Guilt v Shame: What's the Difference? 0

Shame, guilt, and regret are emotional siblings that help point out where we’re going wrong. They have the potential to make your life better and better. They also have the potential of weighing you down. 

Part of being human is making mistakes. The question isn’t whether you’ll make mistakes. The question is: what will you do with your mistakes? 

This post will help you put your mistakes into perspective and turn associated guilt or regret into tools for upleveling your life. It will also help you let go of shame that binds you. 

Paternal Postpartum Depression in Men: What You Need to Know 0

Postpartum depression in men is a real and often overlooked issue. Discover the signs, symptoms, and valuable resources in this helpful guide.

Military Service Toxic Exposure: Mental Health Risks 1