Outdoor Spots in Massachusetts to Soothe Your Anxiety
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

Outdoor Spots in Massachusetts to Soothe Your Anxiety

Anyone who has struggled with anxiety knows that it can make you feel tense, nervous, and unable to relax. Finding ways to reduce anxiety and increase relaxation is key to managing anxious thoughts. Getting outdoors is scientifically proven and evidence-based to improve mental health and reduce stress, anxiety, and anger. Luckily, living in Massachusetts, there are many opportunities to spend time outdoors and reduce anxiety while at it.

Read More
How to Recognize if You Have Anxiety
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

How to Recognize if You Have Anxiety

Are you wondering if you have anxiety? It can be hard to tell if our worries are situational and helpful, or excessive and unhelpful. Do you find yourself wondering if your level of worry unhelpful or “normal”? You may be asking yourself, “Does everyone worry about fill in the blank? or “ How do other people manage their days without worrying about fill in the blank?

Read More
Winter Activities in Massachusetts That Will Brighten Your Day
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

Winter Activities in Massachusetts That Will Brighten Your Day

Winter can be challenging when it comes to taking care of our mental health. Especially in New England, when the days are colder and there is limited sunlight. Planning activities can help get us outside (vitamin D, fresh air, and nature!) and reduce isolation (spending time with friends or meeting new people). It also gives us something to look forward to so we don't get stuck in the same old routine of work, home, TV, and snacks.

Read More
The Power of Green: How Nature Can Improve Your Mental Well-being
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

The Power of Green: How Nature Can Improve Your Mental Well-being

In today's hustle and bustle world, we often run from one building to another- home to school or work and back again, interspersed with doctor's appointments, oil changes, and trips to the supermarket. We can easily find ourselves inside a building most of the week and attached to a screen- phone, tablet, laptop, or TV. This go-go-go lifestyle of devices and technology has removed many of us from connecting with the natural world and left us feeling disconnected from each other and the physical, natural world. The part of our world that can provide us with a multitude of mental health benefits. Spending time in nature can reduce negative emotions, improve mood, enhance focus and attention, and provide connection with others. 

Read More
The Power of Self-Compassion
Anne McGuire Anne McGuire

The Power of Self-Compassion

How treating yourself with compassion can improve your mental health

Self-compassion is essential to improving our mental health. It is treating ourselves with acceptance, kindness, and understanding, especially when we struggle, make mistakes, and face challenges. This can be a hard task. Even seemingly impossible. If we let ourselves “off the hook,” will we no longer be accountable? Will we become lazy? These are common fears when thinking about how self-compassion will affect us.

Read More