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Growing your sense of self and feeling secure in your skin has several benefits for almost every aspect of your mental health. It’s an underlier in most discussions we have about mental health improvement. Building and developing this sense is hard enough, but it can be harder when we hit roadblocks and participate in self-sabotaging activities. If you do not feel that there's been an actionable path to growing your sense of self, you might want to evaluate what is holding you back.

In any facet of life, we must be able to communicate. Whether in a professional setting, our personal lives, or even practical situations, being able to relay your message clearly and concisely is a skill that can be used almost every day. Communication is the foundation for expression, and an essential part of bonding and negotiating with others as well as spreading information. Being a good communicator could be the key to getting more out of your therapy sessions, or resolving issues that may crop up in your domestic or work life.

Though the holidays can be an extraordinary and fun time for families and friends, it is also known to be one of the most stressful times of the year for several reasons. According to a study by NAMI (National Alliance of Mental Illness), 64% of those who suffer from mental health concerns throughout the year report that holidays put additional stress on their condition.

Most everyone has situations in their daily life where they have to speak to others. Beyond this, however, our social lives and romantic partnerships hinge on effective and honest communication to keep things on track. Holding back on talking about things that are important to us can have negative consequences for ourselves and for the person we are withholding communication from. We owe it to ourselves and those we care about to offer our honest opinions, even when those opinions are not always what the other person may want to hear. This is why in this article, we want to offer some tips to help improve your communication skills and give insight into overcoming fears surrounding expressing yourself.

With so much polarization about topics such as racial equality, gender politics, and sexuality in the news and online, it has become increasingly important to be proactive in educating yourself and those close to you about how to be a good ally. Today, we want to focus on one group in particular: the LGBTQ+ community. Here at bareWell, we unwaveringly support this community and want to empower others to uplift them, as well as give tips and information to encourage our readers to do the same.

First and foremost, the organizations supporting these athletes are responsible for their well-being and establishing a healthy working environment. With that being said, the policies of these sports organizations can be impacted when athletes address their struggles publicly. This brings us to the topic we’re discussing today: we want to recognize those who have helped shape the culture of mental health awareness in sports and recount some stories of brave athletes who broke the mold when speaking about their struggles for the betterment of the community.

In today's world of hustle culture, it’s easy to feel like your worth is tied to your productivity. Many of us struggle with defining clear boundaries around work while navigating potentially manipulative workplace practices and still striving to reach our own goals. This is not only prevalent in the workforce but in most aspects of our lives, and it affects adults of all ages. 

Even if you’ve never experience an eating disorder, the task of navigating today’s  expectations, beauty standards, diet culture, and exposure to “ideal” bodies on social media is enough to make most people think twice about indulging in their favorite foods. It’s important to consume healthy foods rich in nutrients, however, rewriting from a guilt-centric mindset around eating is essential to having a healthy relationship with your body and food. Remember, food is the fuel for your body and your mind, and without it, your functioning in both will suffer.  Eating a good meal can improve your alertness and energy levels, and getting all of your proper nutritional components will help you to have a healthier body and improve its function. 

One defining characteristic of a good partnership is fairness and a sense of give and take. Even if you and your friend have similar interests, if there is a disagreement, a good friend will allow you your say and consider your wishes, even if they don't align with theirs. Good friends will appreciate the time spent together, even if it’s not exactly what they want to be doing. This also means that they shouldn't guilt you for liking the things you do or be begrudging when it comes to compromise. Acknowledging that you both have needs that deserve to be met is a sign of respect. 

Stress and disillusionment among college grads are well documented by professional psychologists and academic leaders. As of 2022 over two-thirds of college students have experienced significant emotional distress. In a study by the American College Health Association (ACHA) 35% of students claimed to have anxiety, and 27% claimed depression. This study also pointed to worrying trends of high stress, isolation, hopelessness, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation among the students surveyed with the most affected groups being college athletes and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

The LGBTQ community is vibrant, powerful, tenacious, and unapologetic in its pursuit of self-expression, and these are traits we all should seek to emulate. During June, and year-round, finding appreciation for the differences that make each and every one of us unique and special is not only good for marginalized groups but for you as well. Love is always stronger than fear, and despite the hardships the LGBTQ community faces they continue to rise in the face of adversity. As we join in celebrating Pride Month help others put aside their biases, continue to love and cherish your LGBTQ friends and family, and live proudly.

Most of us probably have the image in mind of video calling our parents only to see their cameras to their ears because they don’t understand they’re on video. It’s always a little funny for more tech-literate people to see the ways that seniors interact with new tech. However, this shouldn’t discourage younger family members from helping Grandma get the hang of it. Despite the learning curve, seniors are one of the groups who most benefit from the tech boom.

Motherhood is vulnerable, which is why it’s important to seek intervention if you find yourself struggling. To all the moms reading, we see you. We love you. We appreciate everything you do for your children.

From all of us here at BareWell, we wish you a Happy Mothers' Day. 

According to a 2017 study conducted by the American Journal of Preventative Medicine adults who classified themselves as regular social media users reported feelings of isolation and low self-worth at three times the rate of non-habitual users. This is why it is more important for us as adults to affirm ourselves and our friends and remember that social media is not real.  It’s important to embrace ourselves, even without the filters.

The teen years are pivotal in terms of many things, including brain development. According to the Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, teen brains are learning how to think abstractly, as well as learning to take on other viewpoints, developing a personal sense of self and sexuality, and establishing a system of values. Read this article to learn how technology is impacting our youth.