Encourage Mental Health

As I've personally experienced, and what a vast number of people experience, anxiety levels are directly related to sleep. My anxiety increases when I either don't get enough sleep or don't get quality sleep. Similarly, my anxiety can prevent me from falling asleep and staying asleep. In a great article by the staff at tuck.com , the relation between anxiety and sleep is further discussed. Their description of the article reads: "This guide gets at the link between anxiety and sleep and covers several anxiety disorders that interfere with sleep and which can be alleviated with sleep: generalized anxiety disorder (GAD); social anxiety; obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD); phobias; post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and panic disorder. It offers solutions to the sleep deprived anxiety sufferers, from treatment options, through online forums, tips regarding healthy sleep hygiene and banishing anxious thoughts, to medical associations that can help."

My 5-year plan after finishing high school was simple: graduate from college in 4 years then begin graduate school directly following graduation. It was easy for me to imagine a 5-year plan at 18-years-old. My toughest challenge in high school had been taming my frizzy hair. My first 2 years of college were very successful. I made close friends, was hired by my college as a writing tutor, and connected with teachers and administrators in the school district I wanted to eventually work in. I was right on track with my 5-year plan. During my third year of college, the mass shooting occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. It was shocking and tragic for our country, and although I lived 100 miles away, I felt a very deep connection to the event. In the following months, I noticed that I would be on high-alert when I'd be out in public. I was truly worried for my safety. That April, I learned about the Boston Marathon bombing when I was in my college’s library. I immediately l

Jennifer Scott is an advocate for opening up about mental health. With SpiritFinder, Ms. Scott offers a forum where those living with anxiety and depression can discuss their experiences. To read more about Jennifer's experiences and the experiences of others, please visit spiritfinder.org Married into Addiction | How to Identify and Confront Your Partner Addiction is a nasty disease that affects everyone near and dear to the afflicted. The ones who love the addict the most are the ones who suffer without pause and also the ones who fight the hardest for healing. If you are in this situation with a spouse or partner, read on for tips on how to identify drug addiction and when to seek help. Know the signs Not all addicts present the same signs or symptoms. However, there are a few almost universal things to look for. These include: ●      Change in behavior, especially when sudden ●      Mood swings; angry and agitated and then suddenly happy and carefree