I'm working through grief because, very recently, I lost someone in my family to whom I was always very close. Having been lucky enough to not have to deal with this kind of death very often in the past, it hasn’t been the easiest to find my balance.

Practicing mental yoga can help reduce anxiety because it builds psychological flexibility. Mental yoga isn't a formal practice with certain poses and movements; instead, it's a way of thinking, feeling, and behaving--a way of being, of living. Just as yoga increases physical flexibility (among other things), mental yoga increases psychological flexibility. As you practice, you can free yourself from anxiety. 

It’s no surprise that I have very real reservations concerning the role the Internet plays in mental health. I’ve railed against social media’s role in exacerbating mental health issues in the past, and I’m still crestfallen that more people are not following my example. But today, I wish to discuss something that’s talked about even less than social media, because, I think, it’s something that most people don’t take seriously: the role memes play in the mental health conversation.

Holiday anxiety is a common experience. The holiday season, meant to bring peace and joy, instead can bring anxiety and misery The reasons for anxiety during the holidays are numerous and personal. Worries about money, materialism, family matters, holiday parties, loneliness, food-related concerns, alcohol use, and more can make the holidays, whether it's Hanukkah or Christmas, ho-ho-horrible. Regardless of what your holiday anxiety is like, it's real, legitimate, and can be put in its proper place: in a distant corner where it doesn't block the candles' glow. Read on for four simple, effective, mindfulness activities to reduce any holiday anxiety.

Dealing with anxiety-provoking people can be incredibly stressful and nerve-racking, but you can reduce your anxiety while you're interacting with others in any situation. This tool for handling anxiety-provoking people is an acronym. To remain calm in any interaction, be a BLOBB.

Is it possible to be thankful for anxiety? Since Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and it’s because it’s tempting to write about what I’m thankful for, I’m going to give in to that temptation. And because I’ve never been one to shy away from taking contentious positions, I’m going to go right out and say that I’m thankful that I have anxiety.

If you experience anxiety or depression, your thyroid could be part of the cause. Place your hand gently on your throat and notice the feel of a tube (that's your trachea, also known as a windpipe). Now, close your eyes and picture a small butterfly perched across the front of the trachea. That's your thyroid, an imperceptible yet powerful gland that plays a big role in your body's functioning, including, possibly, anxiety and depression. While research studies thus far have found mixed results regarding the thyroid's role in mental health, there is enough evidence linking thyroid functioning to anxiety and depressive disorders to consider your thyroid as a possible cause of anxiety or depression.

Music is one of the most important parts of my life and a playlist of calm music is one of my necessities. I’ve written about it before on this very post: "Music as Anxiety Relief." Today I want to revisit a very specific facet of this topic.

Gratitude and anxiety can seem like an unlikely combination. People living with any type of anxiety might be prone to see gratitude as a superficial trend and interpret reports that it reduces anxiety as pure nonsense. That skepticism makes a lot of sense. When you're worried about a loved one's health, for example, does thanking the person who coughed germs all over the room help your anxiety? Honestly, it probably would not. That, though, isn't what gratitude is all about. Gratitude and anxiety have a genuine connection, and the more you know about it, the more you'll find yourself less anxious and more grateful.

If you’ve spent a lot of time online, you’ve probably seen the term “vaguebooking” thrown around; even if you haven’t, you’re probably familiar enough with the concept. Vaguebooking is, honestly, exactly what the word entails: posting vague or cryptic status updates to Facebook. Of course, the concept isn’t exclusive to Facebook and can be done on any social media platform.