"In your heart you wonder, which of these is true
The road that leads to nowhere, the road that leads to
you."
— Pilgrim (Enya)
These are external links to complement the material found in Simply Self. Please use your own good judgment as to what you find to be of use to you. (Some links may require further searching on referred web sites.)
Wellness
From the University of South Florida: www.usfweb2.usf.edu
"Wellness, a positive approach to life and health, maximizes the individual's potential. It involves the 'whole' person; physically, emotionally, and on a psychological basis. The National Wellness Institute, located at the University of Wisconsin at Stevens Point, divides wellness into six dimensions" ...
Coping with Anger
From the University of South Florida: www.usfweb2.usf.edu
"Anger is probably the most poorly handled emotion in our society. From time to time we all experience this very powerful feeling. Some of the common causes of anger include frustration, hurt, annoyance, disappointment, harassment and threats" ...
Coping with Anger 2
From Villanova University: www.studentlife.villanova.edu
"Ask yourself 'What is really bothering me?' Notice whether it is an interaction with someone else or something inside you. Avoid displacing your anger toward individuals who are not the cause of your anger" ...
How Can You Deal With Your Angry Thoughts and Feelings More Effectively?
From George Washington University: www.gwired.gwu.edu
"When you think back to anger-producing situations, it is likely that you recall experiencing intense feelings of anger. You may recall feelings of hostility or rage that may have overwhelmed you and led you to act in ways that did not improve the situation. Maybe you remember trying to control your angry feelings while in the situation and struggling to contain them all day. In order to better understand these feelings and bring them under your control, it is necessary to look at another aspect of the anger-producing situation: your thoughts" ...
Controlling Anger -- Before It Controls You
From www.apa.org/pubinfo/anger.html
"Simple relaxation tools, such as deep breathing and relaxing imagery, can help calm down angry feelings. There are books and courses that can teach you relaxation techniques, and once you learn the techniques, you can call upon them in any situation. If you are involved in a relationship where both partners are hot-tempered, it might be a good idea for both of you to learn these techniques" ...
I Bet I Can Improve Your Mental Health in One Hour
From www.selfcounseling.com
"We live in a stressful world and we often lack enough coping skills to deal with all the stressful experiences in our life. If you agree to what I have just said then you and I can strike a bargain if you are willing to read further. You and I have agreed to interact together. My bet is that in one hour you can find one or two really good ideas that can improve your hour to hour, day to day, week to week, month to month and year to year coping skills. The result will be a more enjoyable life" ...
Think Positive: Seven Ideas That Really Work
From University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire: www.uwec.edu/counsel/pubs
"Listed below are seven ideas that really work to help you think more positive. Life is difficult, but there are things you can do to lighten your load. See if some of these don't help" ...
A Definition Of Maturity
From University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire: www.uwec.edu/counsel/pubs
"The mature individual cannot look outer reality in the face unless he is prepared to look himself in the face, too. He is at home with himself" ...
What Is a Relationship?
From www.relationshipjourney.com
"One way of describing 'relationship' is that it is the space between you and an 'other'. It is the physical space, and it is more. It is the emotional space, and it is more. It is the energetic space, and more. It is the spiritual space between self and other. The wise philosopher, Martin Buber, talked about that space between two human beings as a sacred space. It is a space where true encounter and deep intimacy can be experienced. So whether two people are as close as making love, or 2000 miles apart on a business trip, that space is still between them" ...
Common Expectations, Patterns, and "Mistakes" in Relationships
From the University of South Florida: www.usfweb2.usf.edu
"Each person begins a relationship with his/her hopes, expectations, and ideals. Unfortunately, some of these are unrealistic, unfair, and even self-defeating. They may also doom the relationship to be unsatisfying and to eventually fail" ...
Understanding Stress in Relationships, and How to Manage It
From Stanford University: www.dr-bob.org/vpc/
"For all of the positive qualities of a relationship, stress is an innate part of it. Sometimes there's more stress in a relationship, sometimes less; sometimes it appears sooner, sometimes later. But stress in relationships is unavoidable. Understanding this stress - its causes, effects, and the different ways people respond to it - enables you to make the most of the relationships you have, and go through the inevitable ups and downs with insight and grace" ...
Building Healthy Relationships
From University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire: www.uwec.edu/counsel/pubs
"Developing meaningful relationships is a concern for all of us. Getting close to others, sharing our joys, sorrows, needs, wants, affections, and excitements is risky business. What is it that interferes with us getting close to each other? Often it is one or more of these common fears" ...
Resolving Conflicts
From Stanford University: www.dr-bob.org/vpc/
"A satisfying solution to an interpersonal conflict is not a random event. It takes analysis, hard work, and the conscious attention of both parties. Here's what you can do" ...
Assertiveness Skills
From Oregon State University: www.oregonstate.edu/dept/counsel/brochures/php
"Assertiveness differs from aggression in fundamental ways. Aggressive people force others to meet their needs by using unpleasant means such as shouting, physical roughness, manipulation, or threats. In contrast, assertiveness is being able to express feelings, ask for something, or set limits without demanding results or intimidating people" ...
Avoiding Procrastination
From Study Guides and Strategies: www.studygs.net
"Is your procrastination related to a project? or is it a habit?" ...
Panic Attacks
From University of Texas: www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/booklets/panic/panic.html
"Do you have sudden surges of intense fear, terror or dread that strike for no apparent reason?" ...
Treating Anxiety and Stress Naturally
From Brooklyn College: www.pc.brooklyn.cuny.edu/angst.htm
"There are many things you can do to reduce your levels of anxiety and stress naturally. The list that follows may be helpful to you in dealing with your own anxiety, nervousness, and irritability" ...
The Blues and Depression: What You Can Do To Overcome Them
From Kansas State University: www.k-state.edu/counseling/topics
"Feeling lonely, gloomy, uncertain? Nearly everyone has had the blues at one time or another. You can get stuck in these feelings so much that they drag you down" ...
Suicide Prevention
From Stanford University: www.dr-bob.org/vpc/
"The common link among people who kill themselves is the belief that suicide is the only solution to a set of overwhelming feelings. The attraction of suicide is that it will finally end these unbearable feelings. The tragedy of suicide is that intense emotional distress often blinds people to alternative solutions... yet other solutions are almost always available" ...
Eating and Body Concerns: What Are EDs?
From College of New Jersey: www.dr-bob.org/vpc/
"The following provides basic information about the three eating disorders that will be discussed on this website, as well as a discussion on disordered eating. Please remember that eating disorders are very serious as an estimated 10-20% of those suffering have died from their eating disorder or complications arising from it. Often there is damage done to the body that cannot be seen on the outside; and just because you feel ok doesn't mean you are ok" ...
About Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
From Texas Woman's University: www.twu.edu/o-sl/counseling/selfhelp.html
"Child abuse can take the form of any act of physical, emotional or sexual abuse perpetrated against a child. Child abuse can also take the form of neglect--ignoring the child's emotional and or physical needs. Child abuse can and does take place outside of the family--with stepfamilies, foster families or babysitters" ...
Coping with Trauma
From Villanova University: www.studentlife.villanova.edu/counselingcenter/psychtopics
"Psychological 'trauma' occurs when a person experiences a very upsetting, negative event. Usually traumas are unexpected, the person is unprepared, and there is nothing the person can do to prevent the trauma from occurring. Sometimes the person is a witness to that event, as when a person observes a car accident. Other times, the person's life is threatened, as when a person is robbed at gunpoint or sexually assaulted. Some traumas consist of a single event, such as an accident, severe illness, earthquake, mugging, or fire. Other traumas are ongoing, such as childhood physical or emotional abuse" ...
"Normal" Stress Reactions to Trauma/Death
From University of South Florida: www.usf.edu/counsel
"It is important to remember that trauma or stress reactions are normal reactions to abnormal situations. It is difficult to predict how you or another person will respond to a traumatic event. It is important to allow yourself and others permission to have your reactions, to take care of yourself and to ask for help as best you can. Many people find it helpful to have information about what constitutes a typical reaction to trauma. Below are listed some such reactions:" ...
Stress Reduction Using Thought Awareness, Rational Thinking, and Positive Thinking
From Texas Woman's University: www.twu.edu/o-sl/counseling/SelfHelp057.html
"These three related tools are useful in combating negative thinking. Negative thinking causes stress because it damages your confidence that you are equal to the task you face. Negative thoughts occur when you put yourself down, criticize yourself for errors, doubt your abilities, expect failure, etc. Negative thinking is the negative side of suggestion - it damages confidence, harms performance and paralyzes mental skills" ...
How to Deal with Stress
From Study Guides and Strategies: www.studygs.net
"Stress symptoms include mental, social, and physical manifestations. These include exhaustion, loss of/increased appetite, headaches, crying, sleeplessness, and oversleeping. Escape through alcohol, drugs, or other compulsive behavior are often indications. Feelings of alarm, frustration, or apathy may accompany stress" ...
Concentrating
From Study Guides and Strategies: www.studygs.net
"The art or practice of concentration, no matter if studying biology or playing pool, is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction" ...
The Content of Our Character: Ten Essential Virtues
From The Center for the 4th and 5th Rs, Respect and Responsibility: www.cortland.edu/character
"Which virtues are most important for strong character? Here are ten that are recognized and taught by nearly all philosophical, religious, and cultural traditions" ...
Thoughts
From www.32keys.com
"Life is thought, and when we cease to think, we are not living. How we think, is the kind of life we live. Since we are able to control our thoughts, we can determine the course of our life and the way we feel during our time here" ...