Several studies indicate that people with friendships (whether close or not) are less likely to suffer from issues such as depression. Especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, we understand that isolation and the absence of social connections, even less significant ones, can be harmful to both physical and mental health.
In previous articles, we discussed the importance of a support network and the need to combat loneliness for greater well-being. To fight loneliness, it is essential to build a social network that allows for fulfilling relationships and conversations while addressing various needs—social, emotional, physical, and others that may arise.
Self-care is a very popular topic, but what exactly is self-care? Self-care is understood as a set of actions aimed at maintaining life, health, and well-being, as well as preventing (or better managing) situations of illness or disability, with or without the support of a healthcare professional
Simply put, mindfulness is about living in the present moment with full awareness, and without judgment. It’s a purely contemplative experience: we pay attention to our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations with curiosity, without evaluating them. We don't try to silence uncomfortable thoughts and emotions; instead, we allow them to flow through our minds and observe them without getting carried away by the noise they might create.
When should I start therapy? Is this the right time? Is psychotherapy only for people with mental health problems? These are some questions that sometimes arise when we think about starting therapy. The beginning of the therapeutic process can be preceded by fears, anxieties and uncertainties. Starting therapy is always a difficult decision, which requires some time for reflection and consideration. In this article, we will reflect on the beginning of therapy.
Anxiety disorders are among the most common mental health issues. Even without a clinical diagnosis, we all experience anxiety at various moments and stages of life. We might constantly worry about a particular situation, feel fear, or find ourselves lost and unsure of what to do.
In this article, Ivory Therapy aims to shed light on some relaxation techniques we can use to ease anxiety. But before diving into these techniques, let’s take a closer look at anxiety itself and the impact it has on us.
The experience and perception of the world, of ourselves and others is starting to be mediated by what we consume virtually. Screens - virtual worlds - also become a mirror to other "selves" and social networks an integral part of our daily lives, opening up a new way to social experiences, expanding the possibilities of communication, access to information and new knowledge, entertainment, and culture, enabling shared experiences of situations and promoting a sense of belonging to a global community. In the age of screen primacy, patterns of communication and interaction have changed, giving way to a sense of instant gratification, the immediacy of positive reinforcement, discontinuous intensity, speed, and proximity. Is it a brave new world or not?
In our daily lives, several factors can trigger symptoms of stress or anxiety, from financial and health concerns to issues of isolation, among others. Because it is so common to encounter these triggers in daily life, it is important to know what resources we can use for good self-regulation in stressful or anxiety-inducing situations.
Today, we will explore mental health through a systemic lens to understand how family influences mental well-being. With this in mind, we’ll begin by examining the role family plays in our development as individuals.
