RETHINK - Rethink Blog

Your Life is Worth Living

6/28/2020

This article discusses the ideas behind manifestation and how you can too be a part of this new lifestyle.
"You know, there are two good things in life, freedom of thought and freedom of action." by W. Somerset Maugham.
This is an amazing and powerful quote that everyone should stop and really think about. There's nothing better than having your own freedom in your life. This can be accomplished by taking action and learning to manifest your life to its fullest potential.

PTSD in Spoken Word, by rethink advocate

6/27/2020

Today is National PTSD Awareness Day. Every year on June 27th we recognize, support and advocate for those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and bring light to various ways PTSD impacts people. As such, one of the Rethink Mental Health Advocate has created a relatable and impactful spoken word representation of PTSD which will be a part of her upcoming spoken word video series.

My PTSD Story, by A Rethink Mental Health Advocate

6/27/2020

This painting by Corinne DeCost is also featured in our Art of Emotions gallery.

I was diagnosed with PTSD when I was 20 years old. I didn't feel like I had "earned" this diagnosis, though. I wasn't a war veteran, nor had I been beaten or life-threateningly injured. But I had been dealing with constant nightmares and debilitating panic attacks regarding a certain day of my life.

The day I was raped.

It wasn't as violent as films portrayed - perhaps because cinema relies on visuals to portray the pain. I resigned, submitted, and silently cried. Even now, trying to recall moments I'm comfortable enough describing, my heart races. Everything around me narrows. Trying to go back to those moments is like running into a burning building. If I know I'm going back for a specific item, and I know just where it is, I can zip in and out while only dealing with the heat for a moment. But if I wander in, looking around at everything, the fire starts to nip at me. It burns.

Mental Health and Masculinity

6/15/2020

By Nathan Smith
Like many men I know, when I first started experiencing symptoms of depression, I naturally shrugged it off. I assumed that most people felt the way I was feeling at the time, and chalked it up to any number of reasons: I was in a transitional period in my life, I was going through a lot of change and my future had plenty of uncertainties. However, the more I talked to others about how I was feeling, I began to understand why I felt this way, and feelings gave way to words: Depression. Anxiety. Mental illness. And while I was learning these things, I also found that in my experience, women were far more open to discussing my issues than men were. And I don’t think that’s random.

Create Resistance or Creative Acceptance

6/14/2020

What can we do about resistance? Is there an alternative? Should we resist resistance? The alternative is acceptance.

Resistance is not a new word, but for many of us awareness of resistance is new. In Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, resistance is defined: "to withstand, to strive against, to exert force in opposition, to counteract, defeat or frustrate."

Resistance is useful if there is a flu or virus around. If your body's immune system is working as it should, you'll have good "resistance to disease"--you'll stay healthy. Resistance to the temptation to do something that goes against your core values will strengthen you, while giving into that temptation will weaken your character.

We’re All Doing This During the Pandemic

5/29/2020

Does your emotional status depend on the day, hour or possibly minute? You are not alone.

If you’re like me, you’ve noticed an increase in online content around COVID19 and psychological health. Because there is such a range of experiences in this pandemic, the topics are vast and what may speak to one sub-group, will be off the mark for others. I’ve noticed myself challenged when attempting to write helpful pieces, feeling sensitive as to how they might be read by those who can’t relate. In this country (and world) there are so many in survival mode while others, at least for now, are secure enough to “only” be facing the massive changes in family, work, school, social and community dynamics. But there is one thing we are all doing during this pandemic.

Self-Care in 10 Minutes (Or Less)

5/25/2020

The phrase “self-care” gets thrown around a lot these days. It’s a mantra for the “treat yo self” gang, a buzzword for trendy beauty brands, and a hashtag that often accompanies perfect Instagram shots of decadent cheese plates, impossibly beautiful baths and your friends’ best facial mask selfies. But what does self-care actually mean? What is the point of it all? And what if you’re not into bath bombs or charcoal facial masks? Can you still do self-care right?

Trauma and Psychological Risks of the Pandemic

5/21/2020

We are in unprecedented times. The impact of the pandemic is significant on multiple levels, including psychological, as it contradicts what is familiar and expected in the world leading to confusion and uncertainty. For some, it may be impairing your ability to cope with all that is happening leading to strong emotional responses like grief, panic, anxiety or depression.

Trauma experts Dr. Peter Levine, PhD and Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, MD, recently sat down together (from afar) for an online webinar to discuss the pandemic from the perspective of psychological impact. They shared their thoughts on some of the primary risks of the COVID19 pandemic as well as what can be done.

How to Combat the Mental Health Stigma

5/18/2020

If you had to take some time off work to recover from an illness or a surgery, would you hesitate to ask for it? If you were taking a weekly Zumba class to get into shape, would you want to tell people about it? Most people are willing to ask for something they need, and many people enjoy discussing their fitness regimen with friends and family. But what if you needed the time off to recover from a traumatic experience? Or if you were going to weekly therapy sessions, instead of Zumba classes? Why is taking care of our mental health so different from taking care of our physical health?

5 Ways to Battle Coronavirus Depression and Anxiety

5/11/2020

COVID-19, more commonly known as the Coronavirus, has reached every continent--with the exception of Antarctica--in less than six months. That means that day-to-day life has changed for just about everyone on Earth, and rapidly. It’s difficult to not to give into the anxiety, panic and despair that words like pandemic and quarantine can inspire, but there are ways you can help yourself—and the people in your life—get through this ordeal.