EP. 15 Do I Have Seasonal Depression or Just The Winter Blues?

Everyone has a unique story. Everything that you've been through and overcome, the highs and the lows, the ups and downs, the failures and victories... all of it is important. Because it's you. Your life story is meaningful and matters.

This week we are joined by author, book coach, and resilience speaker, Jas Rawlinson. She shares about her own personal story of growing up and turning to writing to escape from the family violence in her home. Jas opens up about the biggest tragedy in her young life and how she managed to recover and honor her mental health and personal relationships going forward.

As a memoir book coach for those who want to share their life's journey, she believes that everyone has a story with the power to inspire, impact, and change lives. Plus, we talk with Jas about her latest book just released, Volume 3 of her book series, Reasons to Live.

Website: DoINeedTherapy.com 

Instagram: @aprileandelle

Twitter: @aprileandelle

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Being a Christian, going to church, and seeking prayer is a comfort to so many. Our faith, beliefs, religions, and spiritualities shape the very nature of who we are. But when in need, faith and religion do not have to cancel out the need for therapy. Nor does going to therapy or counseling mean that you've given up or become weak in your faith or beliefs. Plus, in the black church community, therapy is far too stigmatized when we need help.

My guest, Minister Sheena Rolle, shares the reminder of how faith and therapy can be very complimentary in our journey of wellness. She reminds, all good things come from God.

Together, we discuss the church's role of pastoral counseling and new partnerships with outside mental health support, plus therapists and other mental health professionals taking on Christian counseling as a trained specialty and certification, each to address people in need of help which blends these two worlds. Talking to God and a therapist should not be seen as a conflict. And it can even be a great source of strength as well as an unexpected and surprising opportunity to deepen your faith.

Finding a person to share the rest of your life with, who gets you, and makes you happy, is a great joy of living. But some of us feel lost when it comes to good love and wonder when it will happen for us. Finding your best relationship, the kind of love that lasts and is healthy, is about manifesting the type of love you desire... and never giving up on the possibility. I share with you five steps of mindset exercises to step into the manifest. Plus, when therapy could be most helpful along this journey.

The time and temperature changes, it's cold outside, suddenly daylight is fleeting, and gray skies are the norm. Perhaps you are more down than usual, not feeling yourself, or super tired and lethargic. Yes, the "winter blues" are real. So much so that if severe, it is diagnosable. At the doctor or therapist's office, it is more formally known as Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD, a complicated form of depression triggered by the fall and winter seasons. So how do you know if you have the blues or SAD? In this episode, I'll lay it all out for you. First, I'll walk you through key symptoms, including the one that makes winter blues most susceptible to becoming a depression. Then I"ll give you a few steps of things you can do now at home to help, and the next steps when you need professional support.

So you've heard the phrase self-care a million times. But what does it really mean? And why is self care so important? Hint, yes, it's much more than just a beauty routine or treating yourself to wine, chocolate, and bubble baths. It sets you up for positive mental health, strong self esteem, and good relationships. It's also not just female... it's for men too. Self care is real and vital and holds the weight of how you provide for your mind, body, and soul what it needs for you to be your best. If that's the case, is self care is selfish? Listen in to that answer and more as I walk you through some definitions and bonuses all about why self care is important. Plus, I'll share with you 20 easy self-care tips and simple steps to get started on or add to your everyday self-care routine.

COVID, Black Lives Matters, election stress, other headline stress, and more. We live with an endless cycle of bad news, constantly bombarding us with negativity on social media, news channels, articles, and even news bites from our friends and family. While it is important to stay informed, it can also be detrimental to our mental health to be constantly reading or watching negative news. If you ever feel anxious, overwhelmed, helpless, powerless, depressed, let's talk about it. Plus I'll share some of my tips and tricks for overcoming "all the feels" of the news, so you have tools to learn how to cope and maintain positive mental health.

Website: DoINeedTherapy.com 

Instagram: @aprileandelle

Twitter: @aprileandelle

Newsletter: Sign Up here: 

Anonymous 103 shares their therapy journey including how they sought therapy due to anxiety and how they found the right therapist after some mismatches. We discuss how anxiety manifests both mentally and physically in the body. Anonymous 103 shares, "I feel anxiety in my back and all up my neck." They also explain how therapy taught them how to express their feelings and not hold everything in. Plus, I walk you through a quick emotion recognition exercise you can do throughout the day to stay in touch with what you are experiencing and feeling, which can help you learn to relax and manage anxiety and other difficult or overwhelming emotions in the moment.