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Self-Esteem Collage (an exercise for your creative side)


We all could use a boost in self-esteem and self-confidence, so how about an exercise that can elicit our creative side to improve our self esteem and self-confidence. A self-esteem collage is a great way to do this. Pretty simple, what you need to do is first put on your creative hat, next get a plain sheet of paper, poster board, or what ever you choose. Grab some old magazines and start to cut out some pictures that reflect or represent your skills, strengths, goals, hobbies, accomplishments, hopes, likes, things that make you smile and people you admire in your life. After you create this collage take a moment to step back and check it out, reflect on the items you have placed on your self-esteem collage. Next post it somewhere that you can check out and see often, perhaps behind you door, or in your closet so when you open it up you see your self esteem collage and all these positive components placed on it. This exercise will elicit and help you reflect on all the positive items you have surrounding you. So get ready, get set, start your engine, put on your creative hat, and create your self-esteem college today!

Posted by Colette Lopane-Capella, LMHC, D

Self-Care (what is it, really?)


 

Self-care is so essential for us to practice on a daily basis. So what really is self-care? Self-care doesn’t mean that we need to mediate each day, or attend a yoga or soul cycle class (although these are great ways to practice self care) it could simply mean taking a shower, putting away your laundry, taking a walk outside. Doing anything that’s healthy and safe and makes you smile can be in form self-care. So today’s the day to begin, what can you do to practice self-care? If I may suggest write a list of 10 positive items in your life and take a moment to reflect on them. Practicing self care is proven to lead to a healthier mind, body and soul, so get your self-care on today!

 

Posted by Colette Lopane-Capella, LMHC, D

Mindfulness (What does it mean & how do we practice it?)


What is mindfulness? What does it mean? And how do we practice it?

These questions I get so very often, and they are great questions. Its very simple, in order to practice mindfulness or to be mindful, we have to be in the moment. Grounding ourselves, taking it one day at a time, here and now are all ways to practice mindfulness. To start, I encourage all my clients to take a step outside, be in the moment, and take a deep breathe in, use your 5 senses, what do you hear? What do you see? What do you feel? Take it all in. This is a sense of practicing mindfulness, it helps slow us down in this fast pace world we live in and be in the moment. Practicing mindfulness can help lower stress and anxiety levels. So start today, take a step outside and practice your mindfulness, even if your only able to free your mind for a matter of seconds you have succeeded, as time goes by and you practice more often you will feel and see the effects.

Posted by Colette Lopane-Capella, LMHC, D

Break up Drama (The do’s and do not’s after a break up)


 

The do’s and do not’s after a break up

We all have been there and know that a break up can significantly upset your entire world. For whatever reason the break up may have occurred it still hurts, a lot. How we react and respond significantly affects the way we feel. Some say ok, it’s time to figure out what’s going on with my ex, checking there social media pages, talking to there friends, finding out the “scoop”, but does that really help? Does that make you feel any better, when really asking yourself that question the answer is probably no, so let’s change it up. What can we do to help relive the pain and stress involved with a break up? The list below I’ve created as healthy tips on ways to work through the emotions surrounding a break up, the do’s and do not’s.

First, and foremost is self care, do self-care: taking care of your self is essential when you’re going through a tough time. Whether it’s getting a manicure or massage or eating and sleeping well, its all self-care and essential to your wellbeing.

Next, surround yourself with good friends and family, a great support system is essential when you’re experiencing being in this vulnerable place.

How about practicing some healthy coping skills? It’s essential to your wellbeing and recovery.

Journal journal journal, journaling your emotions can really help to speak to your inner emotions and allow yourself to express your emotions in a healthy manner.

Exercise!!! Get out, walk around, take a class, go to the gym, and increase the endorphins.

Challenging your negative thoughts can also be very helpful to your recovery, challenge this negative thoughts and work towards positive thinking, one step at a time.

Mindfulness, is also extremely helpful, focus on the here and now, takes it slow, one day at a time and is kind to yourself, you deserve it.

Be patient, a break up is like mourning and the grievance process can take time to feeling back to your self.

Now we discussed the do’s, what are the do not’s?

Do not talk to your ex’s friends or follow there social media’s this is only a recipe for disaster.

Do not talk shit about your ex to his friends and family, your feeling angry and upset and it’s understandable, but having these conversations only draws you into a darker place.

Don’t blame!! Blaming becomes a big part of the unanswered questions after a break, but the blame game gets your nowhere fast. So stay away from that negative place and focus on the future, your positive future.

Don’t pretend your fine, be true to yourself and your emotions, if you need to cry, let it all out, it’s essential to feel your emotions and go through each to reach the road to recovery.

Do not seek revenge, your angry, feels vulnerable and sad, seeking revenge seems natural, but it’s not going to have any positive end results, I promise you that, so stick away from the revenge and seek peace instead.

Don’t repeat mistakes, don’t keep your ex in your life, things change for a reason, and it’s better to leave the past in the past, it got there for a reason.

Do not self destruct, your upset and it’s understandable but don’t go down the road of self destruction, in the end the only one suffering is you, so do the opposite focus on you, what makes your happy and do you.

Do not isolate yourself, you may feel like becoming a hermit, but it’s not going to help with the healing process, so do the opposite, surround yourself with a great support system, keep your self busy and happy.

Lastly, don’t move on to quickly, take time to your self, creating your own happiness, and again patience is key. It takes time, and as long as the essentials of your well being are practiced things will get easier, and although at first it’s hard to believe, with time all wounds will heal.

Posted by Colette Lopane-Capella, LMHC, D

Job Stress and Mental Illness


Does job stress affect your mental health? I would have to say, most definitely. Job stress can affect you emotionally and mentally. Job stress can affect your home life, relationships, sleep patterns and self care. Luckily there are ways to help lower job stress.

Sleep sleep sleep, sleep is key. Getting enough rest when being under workplace pressure can help regulate emotional balance, so ensure your getting a good nights rest each evening.

Healthy eating habits are also essential to lowering your job related stress and the way it affects you. At times, the stress can become heightened and affect our eating patterns, so ensure to eat your three meals a day and take good care of your body, exercise and good eating habits are key.

Priorities tasks at work can also be helpful to organize thoughts and materials. Take the time to make a list and organize what’s a priority to help create structure and lower stress levels. It’s said that writing lists down, give you a 40% higher chance of completing the tasks, so get that notepad out.

Time is key. When we’re running late we are more likely to become stressed more often. So take an extra 15 minutes in the morning to leave early and give yourself time, to avoid feeling rushed and stressed.

Self-care!! Do what makes you happy, take time for yourself and surround yourself with happy, positive friends and family. Keep a gratitude journal and complete it every evening, ensuring to ground yourself.

Mindfulness, slow it all down, focus on the here and now and remember that this to shall pass.

At the end of each day disconnect from work life and enjoy the quality time with friends, family and pets.

Posted by Colette Lopane-Capella, LMHC, D