Behavior Health and Wellness Blog

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month was established in 1949 to highlight the significance of mental health and wellness in the lives of Americans and to celebrate recovery from mental illness. For over 20 years, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has observed this month every May to raise awareness about the crucial role […]

The Surgeon General’s Warning on Marijuana

Marijuana use poses significant public health challenges in the United States. Over the past two decades, its use has skyrocketed, with more than a quarter of Americans having tried it. Alarmingly, the age of first use has dropped to the junior high school years. Despite a recent decline from nearly 11% to 7% among high […]

7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life

Uncovering the meaning in your life is essential for gaining a sense of control, satisfaction, and overall happiness. Recognizing that your efforts matter is a key element of a fulfilling life, although this significance differs for everyone. Finding your purpose can lead to increased motivation and resilience, helping you face daily challenges with a clearer […]

20 Defense Mechanisms We Use to Protect Ourselves

Defense mechanisms, which are unconscious psychological strategies that protect individuals from anxiety, threats to self-esteem, and uncomfortable thoughts or situations, have become embedded in everyday language. For instance, you might describe someone as being “in denial” about a problem they face, or say they are “regressing” to an earlier stage of development when they revert […]

Smoking and COPD

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a collection of conditions that obstruct airflow and lead to breathing difficulties. COPD encompasses diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. With COPD, reduced airflow occurs through the airways, which are the tubes responsible for carrying air in and out of your lungs due to one or more of […]

How to Cope With Extreme Anxiety

While occasional worry is a natural aspect of life, if your anxiety feels unmanageable or overpowering, it may indicate a mental health disorder—fortunately, anxiety-based issues are often highly treatable. Discover the distinction between normal anxiety and an anxiety disorder, and explore steps to address severe anxiety if it’s adversely affecting your well-being, offering avenues toward […]

Mental Health and Marijuana

Frequent and high-dose marijuana consumption, particularly on a daily or near-daily basis, can lead to disorientation and induce feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Those who engage in marijuana use are at an increased risk of experiencing temporary psychosis, characterized by hallucinations, paranoia, and a detachment from reality, as well as enduring mental health conditions such […]

Smoking and Cancer

Cancer is a term used to describe a variety of illnesses characterized by the uncontrollable division of abnormal cells, which can infiltrate surrounding tissues. These rogue cells have the capacity to metastasize, traveling to distant parts of the body via the bloodstream and lymphatic system, which typically function to eliminate toxins. With over 100 distinct […]

Color Therapy Types, Techniques, and Benefits

Color therapy, or chromotherapy, employs colors and light to address various mental and physical health concerns, with its roots tracing back to ancient Egyptian practices. Utilizing sunlit spaces adorned with colored glasses, the Egyptians explored the therapeutic potential of hues. Despite its historical precedence and occasional traction, color therapy remains largely marginalized within Western medicine. […]

Heart Disease and Stroke

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), encompassing heart disease and stroke, afflict millions worldwide. The primary culprit among heart conditions in the United States is coronary heart disease, colloquially known as coronary artery disease. This condition entails the gradual narrowing of blood vessels responsible for transporting blood to the heart. A stroke happens when the blood flow to […]