Posts

How to Stop Overthinking: A Psychologist’s Guide for Busy Minds

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Let's get right to it... Your brain has called a meeting at 2 a.m. that you didn't plan. You're going over a discussion you had earlier, coming up with possible future situations, and trying to fix problems that haven't even happened yet. This is the silent, tiring cycle of overthinking that many busy minds are all too familiar with. The first step to stopping overthinking is to figure out what's really going on in your head. A lot of the time, overthinking looks like problem-solving, but they are not the same thing. When you solve a problem, you are engaged, attentive, and make choices or take action. It has a defined start, middle, and end. On the other hand, overthinking is repetitive and doesn't help. You go around in circles with the same thoughts, and you frequently feel more trapped than when you started. It's probably ruminating if your thoughts aren't moving to a specific next move. When looking for true aid with rumination, it's important t...

Setting Boundaries Without Guilt

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Hello, it's been a year... This is going to be another interesting one, as always, so let's begin. In today’s world, it's common to feel overwhelmed by the constant demands of work, family, and social obligations. Many people struggle to say "no" or set limits, which often leads to feelings of guilt or anxiety. Yet, creating healthy boundaries is an important way to maintain emotional well-being and personal growth. As a psychologist, I usually tell people that boundaries are not only necessary but are also an act of self-care and self-respect. Let us even talk about what boundaries really are. Boundaries act as invisible lines that protect your emotional and mental space from being compromised by others. Therefore, without clear boundaries, it's easy for one to fall into patterns of overcommitting, emotional exhaustion, and even burnout. There is a need to establish boundaries so as to allow one to prioritize their own needs and create a balanced life where o...

The Impact of Toxic Positivity on Mental Health

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Hello, I would be sharing with you a topic I find common among us from this part of the world. Toxic Positivity, which I call “Over Positive”. Toxic positivity is the belief that no matter how bad a situation is, people should always stay positive. So, w hile positive thinking is important, forcing it all the time can be harmful. It can make people feel like their real emotions don’t matter.   When someone is sad, anxious, or frustrated, they need support, not just happy words like "Just stay positive!" Ignoring real feelings can make a person feel unheard and alone. Imagine telling a friend about a tough day at work, and instead of listening, they say, "At least you have a job!" While the intention might be good, this response dismisses real struggles and can make the person feel even worse. Facing emotions helps people learn and grow. If we always push sadness away, we never understand how to cope with it. Negative feelings are a natural part of life, and it’s oka...

Giving Back: Making Volunteering a Lifestyle

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Hi, How do you feel when you render help to someone and you see a broad smile that extends to both sides of the cheeks? For me, I feel a sense of fulfilment and excitement, it gives me some form of high that makes me seek more healthy ways of rendering assistance to people and animals. Kindly indulge me in the comment section with how it makes you feel. A very interesting and often ignored topic is what we will be discussing today, one that I love so much! It is all about giving back as a lifestyle, Breathe! Lol, it is not all about giving out money; we are talking about much more: your time, skills, knowledge, in fact, all of you. Yeah, you read right, giving back has to be an intentional act; it may involve giving all of you, but of course, with boundaries to avoid being overwhelmed with the burden of care and missing out on all other aspects of life. Giving Back seems imperative because, many times, people do not seem to make an active effort to see the betterment of themselves, fam...

MEN'S MENTAL HEALTH AND SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS

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  Hey guys, it is Men’s Mental Health Month; what better time to discuss this very important topic? Please share with that man you know, as you may be saving a life! Now, let's get to it… Imagine Jide, a 35-year-old father of two. He is on his very crisp suit and tie every morning, ready to conquer the corporate world. To his colleagues, he's the epitome of success—a senior manager with a hefty paycheck. But beneath this polished exterior, Jide grapples with an invisible burden. The societal pressure to be the perfect provider, an unwavering rock for his family, and a fearless leader at work weighs heavily on his mental health. Jide’s story is not unique. Many men face similar societal pressures that can have profound effects on their mental well-being. These pressures, often rooted in traditional masculine norms, can lead to a host of mental health issues, from anxiety and depression to substance abuse and even suicidal thoughts and suicide itself. From a young age, boys are ...

The Pursuit of Happiness

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I recently came upon a video of a very wise elderly man discussing happiness. While I appreciated everything he had to say, I couldn't help but think, "If we are being realistic, material things are also a significant source of happiness, only that the extent people go towards acquiring them can make this happiness even more short-lived." In the search for happiness, we frequently find ourselves navigating a maze of options and influences that shape our perceptions of what truly brings fulfilment. At the centre of this journey is a fundamental question: does happiness come from extrinsic values, like accumulating expensive possessions and wealth, or does it stem from only intrinsic values, like helping and caring for others? Let's explore this fascinating topic and investigate the complicated interaction of intrinsic and external values in our pursuit of pleasure. In today's consumer-driven world, believing that material goods and outward successes may buy happine...

Feeling Left Out: The Silent Struggle We All Face

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Hey there, fellow wanderers of the internet!  Lol…   Now , let's dive into something that's all too familiar for many of us: feeling left out or ostracized. Yep, that uncomfortable, sometimes downright painful feeling of not quite fitting in, like you're on the outside looking in while everyone else is having a grand old time. Now, before we get started, let me just say: if you've ever felt this way, you're not alone. Seriously, not at all .  Although research has shown that a certain personality trait (negative emotionality) may predispose one to feeling ostracized.   However, f eeling left out is something that affects just about everyone at some point in their lives, whether they admit it or not. It's like one of those universal human experiences, right up there with hitt ing your toe or getting caught in the rain without an umbrella. But what exactly does it mean to feel left out? Well, it's different for everyone, but it usually involves feeling disconn...