All posts by Apex

The Power of Vacations for Boosting Mental Health

May 24, 2024Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Healthy Relationship, Holiday gatherings, Keep yourself first, Mental Health, Stay Safe, VacationLove, Meditation, RestApex

Why Vacations are Important for Mental Health:

Imagine your brain is like a muscle. Just like your muscles need rest after working hard, your brain needs a break too. Vacations give your brain the chance to rest and recharge. When you’re constantly busy with school, chores, and other responsibilities, it can make your brain feel tired and stressed out. But when you take a holiday/vacation, it’s like giving your brain a mini-vacation too!

Have your ever felt overwhelmed by all the things we have to do in a day? That’s stress. Vacations give you a break from all the things that cause stress. Whether it’s school, homework, and any other worries, taking time away from them can help your brain recharge.
Have you ever noticed how happy you feel when you’re doing something you love, like playing with friends or spending time outdoors? Vacations are full of opportunities to do things that make you happy.
Have you ever had a really cool idea pop into your head while you were daydreaming or playing? That’s your creativity at work!
Vacations are a great way to spend time with people you love.
Did you know that what’s good for your body is also good for your brain? Activities including swimming, hiking, or playing sports not only keep your body healthy but also release feel-good chemicals called endorphins.

Vacations are like a breath of fresh air for your brain, they give you a chance to relax, have fun, and recharge your mental batteries. By reducing stress, improving mood, sparking creativity, building relationships, and promoting physical health. So next time you have a chance to vacation and worried about money, take a step back think of all the memories and rest you can get and take that leap of faith. Your brain will thank you for it!!

Therapeutic Escapes: Combining therapy and vacation can be a healthy way of fully rejuvenating your mind. For more information on seeking how check out our staff to find the perfect person to meet your needs, Click here .

Some great reads for vacation from amazon:

Self love Workbook for Women; click here

Learn, Grow, Forgive; click here

The Shack; click here

Healing Inner Child Workbook; click here

Meditation Guide; click here

CAVEAT*** Always consult your doctor before starting new therapies or vacations for optimal mental health.

I hope you all have a wonderful memorial weekend, whether you celebrate the holiday or not, relax your mind and enjoy yourself!!

With love,

Monique

Money Matters: The Impact of Financial Knowledge on Mental Health

May 17, 2024Conflict Resolution, Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Mental HealthFinancial Resources, life stressors, Money ManagementApex

Understanding personal finance, like making a plan for your money, saving, and knowing how to spend wisely, can make you feel safer. When people feel sure about handling money, they’re less likely to feel stressed or worried.

Making a plan for your money, called a budget, is a key step in handling your finances. It means keeping track oh how much money you have coming in and how much you spend. By deciding what’s most important to spend on and cutting out things you don’t really need, you can have more money to save or pay off debts.

Knowing about money helps you make smart choices, which can lower your stress levels. You can learn more about money by reading free stuff online, like articles and videos.

Money issues can cause fights in relationships. But if both people understand money and can calmly communicate, they can solve problems together. Also, doing things like investing your money or finding extra work can help.

Having some money set aside for emergencies, like sudden bills or losing a job, is really important. Try to save enough to cover your living costs for three to six months. And it’s smart to pay off debts with high interest, like credit cards, as quickly as you can.

There are numerous financial resources available to help you improve your financial literacy.

There are countless books on personal finance including:

The Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey : to buy on Amazon, click here

Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki : to buy on Amazon, click here

The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko: to buy Amazon, click here

Talking to someone about the stress you’re facing in your daily life can help you discover better ways to cope and improve your mental health. It’s like finding a more peaceful and useful way to deal with tough situations. Meet our staff and find who you would be most fitting with, click here!

I hope you all have a sun-filled weekend.

Sincerely,

Monique

References:

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. https://www.consumerfinance.gov/

Home – Jump$tart Coalition. (2024, May 1). Jump$Tart Coalition. https://www.jumpstart.org/

Investopedia. (2019, June 6). Investopedia. https://www.investopedia.com/

Making government services easier to find | USAGov. (n.d.). USA.gov. https://www.usa.gov/

National Endowment for Financial Education | NEFE. (n.d.). https://www.nefe.org/default.aspx?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLPMZgUjq_nTgJC-Atl9CnahM7aRv8zme5JL2tR078eCiNSyUuatrl8aAsX6EALw_wcB

NerdWallet. (n.d.). Compare top credit cards, banks, and loans. https://www.nerdwallet.com/l/compare-financial-products-2g?bucket_id=sem-homepage-google+version&ds_rl=1246084&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwgJyyBhCGARIsAK8LVLN585_W49XPofEpR6vyibfz0fEYW8s-O6pExgcHibM3KKDJZAbl5XEaAgWNEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&mktg_body=1678&mktg_hline=11649&mktg_place=kwd-40958987563&model_execution_id=4E7EC319-0607-4D31-87AA-56AEC2E01417&nw_campaign_id=150238270218585900&utm_campaign=cc_mktg_paid_060716_brand_exact&utm_content=ta&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=goog&utm_term=nerdwallet

Schmeiser, M. D., & Hogarth, J. M. (2013). Good advice, Good Outcomes? How Financial Advice-Seeking Relates to Self-Perceived Financial Well-Being. Social Science Research Network. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2261707

The balance. (2018, January 8). The Balance. https://www.thebalancemoney.com/

Harmony in Dialogue: Nurturing Communication in Marriage

May 10, 2024Family Counseling, Healthy Coping Mechanisms, Marital counseling, Mental HealthCreate the life you love, Love one another, MarriageApex

Better communication in marriage can make a big difference. The relationship between marriage and communication is deeply intertwined and crucial for a healthy and fulfilling partnership.

Here are some ways couples can communicate better:

Understanding and Connection: Effective communication allows couples to understand each other’s thoughts, feelings, and needs better. It fosters emotional connection by providing a platform for sharing experiences, dreams, and concerns.
Express Feelings: It is important to share how you feel with your partner, using “I” statements like “I feel sad when…” instead of blaming your partner. We are accountable for our own actions as well as how someone may make us feel.
Be Honest: Always tell the truth, even if it’s hard, honesty builds trust, which is essential for a strong relationship. When spouses feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgement or reprisal, it creates a safe and supportive environment where trust can flourish.
Use Kind Words: Kindness can prevent arguments from escalating. Anger is a secondary emotion because the root is actually sadness or the fear of being hurt.
Compromise: Marriage is about give and take. Try to find solutions that make both of you happy. Healthy communication skills enable couples to resolve disagreements constructively, without resorting to hurtful behavior that could possibly damage the relationship.
Respect Boundaries: Everyone needs space sometimes, respect the space allow for each other to have that peaceful time.
Maintaining Intimacy: Communication plays a vital role in maintaining intimacy and connection in marriage. Expressing affection, sharing compliments, and engaging in meaningful conversation help keep the spark alive and deepen emotional intimacy.

When something really tough happens in a marriage, like one partner having an affair or mishandling money, it can feel like everything is falling apart.

Take Time to Feel Hurt: It’s normal to feel really hurt and upset when something bad happens. It is vital to take time to feel those feelings and talk about them with you partner.
Talk About What Happened: It’s important both partners to talk honestly about what happened. This means being brave and listening to each other without blaming or getting defensive.
Apologize and Take Responsibility: If one partner did something wrong or both partners, it’s crucial for them to apologize sincerely and take responsibility for their actions. This show that they understand that they not only hurt the partner but where they need to do better at.
Rebuild Trust: Rebuilding trust takes time and effort. Both partners need to be patient and consistent. This means keeping promises, being honest, and showing that they can be trust again.
Seek Help if Needed: Sometimes it’s hard to rebuilding a relationship on your own. It’s to ask for help from a therapist or counselor who can guide you through the process. We have great therapy service to help provide the needs to continue your growth together or separately, for more information regarding our highly trained staff, Click here!!

Overall, good communication helps couples understand each other better, reduces stress, and strengthens their bond, while poor communication can lead to misunderstandings, stress, and feelings of loneliness or resentment.

For more information on good ways to communicate, click here.

Have a sunny weekend .

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY TO ALL YOU BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, YOU ARE IMPORTANT.

SINCERELY,

MONIQUE