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6 Stress Management Activities to Try Today

6 Stress Management Activities to Try Today

Melissa Plantz2025-08-01T08:31:34+00:00August 1st, 2025|Coaching, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

Stress and anxiety can make daily life challenging. You may find that your job or family responsibilities trigger a complete meltdown. You might struggle with shallow breathing, headaches, rapid heart rate or palpitations, trembling, and restlessness. Practicing stress management activities can help. Stress Management Activities to Try Today Pausing throughout the day to practice stress management activities as part of your morning, afternoon, and evening routine will make it a habit and lower your stress levels overall. Try not to wait until you are a bundle of nerves and ready to scream at your boss. Pick a few stress management activities to use at different times of the day. For example, try deep breathing exercises before you enjoy a cup of tea at lunchtime, pray and journal with your first cup of coffee in the morning, or relax in the evening after dinner with an adult coloring book before going to bed. When we make these activities part of our daily routine, we give ourselves a small break to decompress and find peace. Incorporating Physical Movement Exercise triggers endorphins and leaves you feeling happy and accomplished. Hormones like serotonin and dopamine boost your mood, improve confidence, and lower stress. Physical movement also lowers blood pressure and regulates heart rate. Try streaming a walk-at-home video on YouTube or walking around your block in the mornings. While dinner is cooking or after you eat, consider a walk around your neighborhood or a short jaunt on the treadmill. Deep Breathing Stress causes you to breathe more quickly and shallowly. By breathing deeply, you can force more oxygen into your lungs and oxygenate your cells. Practice deep breathing exercises throughout the day. Try inhaling through your nose for the count of four, holding your breath for four counts, and then releasing it from your [...]

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The Rising Popularity of Virtual Reality Therapy for Men

The Rising Popularity of Virtual Reality Therapy for Men

Grace Mavindidze2025-07-29T11:23:26+00:00July 29th, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Men’s Issues, Trauma|

Therapy for men has always been a tough and rather uncomfortable topic. For most guys, the very idea of sitting down and talking about personal problems isn’t exactly something they are eager to do. You probably know what I mean; it’s just awkward. There’s always this feeling that therapy is unfamiliar or maybe even a little unnecessary. But things are changing now. More and more men, young and old, are beginning to realize that therapy doesn’t have to be like that. It’s getting easier and more relatable, especially with the rise of technologies like virtual reality (VR) therapy. VR therapy offers something different and feels more like a practical tool than an intrusive conversation. So now, there is some light at the end of the tunnel with an interactive way to address issues like stress, anxiety, and trauma, and it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular ways to take control of your mental health. Finally, the kind of therapy that feels like it’s made for every guy. Men’s Traditional Views of Therapy Society has a way of telling guys to be tough, handle things on their own, and avoid showing vulnerability. For a long time, therapy just wasn’t something men felt like they had the luxury of getting into. So even when you’ve been stressed from work, your relationship drama, or just feeling down, as a man you’ve always been expected to ‘be a man’ about it, rather than ask for help. For this reason, in the past, therapy just wasn’t something men turned to unless they were seriously struggling. Most guys didn’t think of therapy as a tool for general well-being but more of a solution only for the serious stuff. On top of that, traditional therapy has always seemed to focus a lot on seemingly superficial [...]

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Why Seniors Should Take Up Journal Writing in Later Years

Why Seniors Should Take Up Journal Writing in Later Years

Grace Mavindidze2025-06-30T04:21:53+00:00June 30th, 2025|Aging and Geriatric Issues, Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

Journal writing is one of those simple activities that offers tremendous benefits, especially for seniors. It’s an excellent, tried and tested way to express thoughts, preserve memories, capture memories, and keep the mind sharp. If you’ve never thought about journaling before, you might be surprised at just how helpful it can be. It’s something anyone can start at any age, and it’s an easy way to take care of someone’s emotional and mental well-being. As we get older, everyone starts thinking more about the past. Years of stories, experiences, and memories that shape who we are, even though sometimes these memories fade with time. Writing them down in a journal is a great way to capture those moments before they slip away. Remembering that funny story from childhood, a special trip, or even the smaller, everyday moments, and putting these things in writing makes them last forever. Not only will your journal become a treasure for you, but it will also be a way for future generations to get a glimpse into your life and the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Why Journal Writing Matters for Seniors Preserving precious memories Writing down life stories and special moments is a wonderful way to keep memories alive. It’s a chance to share experiences that can be passed down to children, grandchildren, and others in the family. By journaling, seniors leave behind a legacy of their life journey. Cleaning the mind In an older person, thoughts and emotions sometimes become cluttered. Writing in a journal helps organize those thoughts, making it easier to process difficult feelings. Putting thoughts on paper helps clear the mind, reduces stress, and makes everything seem more manageable. Boosting emotional health Writing about things you’re grateful for or positive moments from the day can improve your mood. Journaling [...]

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Talking Hearts: Improving Communication With Others

Talking Hearts: Improving Communication With Others

Kate Motaung2025-05-29T08:58:09+00:00May 29th, 2025|Featured, Individual Counseling, Personal Development, Relationship Issues, Spiritual Development|

Communication is a vital and undeniable part of managing and growing relationships. Whether we talk with words or gestures, the practice of expression and absorbing messages is built into every human exchange. We convey and receive, exchanging the sentiments that would otherwise remain buried. Though essential, communication can get convoluted when we don’t know how to engage with one another from a place of love. Speaking God’s truth, yet in love, is an important place to begin as we consider the nature of our talking hearts. Words Into Worlds Though we have freedom in Christ, we do not have a license to say whatever we please, whether we are intimately connected with them or not. We may not always recognize the power of words. Words hold the potential to speak worlds into being. God demonstrated this at Creation when the Spirit hovered above the murky deep. Instead of exclaiming and giving credence to the darkness, God exercised words of life to speak light into being, setting in motion a pattern for the world we now know. All of creation followed, unfolding and flourishing at the command of the Almighty. He created us in a similar fashion, first taking counsel with Himself to contemplate making humankind. Likewise, Adam, formed in God’s Image and by God’s own Hand, followed the Father’s example, naming the animals as part of his garden stewardship. Curiously, Adam did not exercise the power of his words to arrest the serpent who deceived him and his wife into accepting the forbidden fruit. Whether we speak or avoid declaring God’s words, we have the choice to release or suppress the power God intended for us to shift with words. Consider Christ, Our Communication Guide Thankfully, Jesus, who is often referred to as the Second Adam, didn’t just verbalize, [...]

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Identifying Parental Codependency

Identifying Parental Codependency

Cyndi Kay Green2025-04-26T05:57:33+00:00April 28th, 2025|Codependency, Family Counseling, Featured, Relationship Issues|

Early childhood attachment issues typically lead to a person becoming a parent who has an intense need for a child to keep them in their life even after they are an adult. This is known as parental codependency, and it can be exhausting for the child as well as the parent. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. – Philippians 2:4, ESV Why does a parent become codependent? Most parents who become codependent have experienced a childhood filled with dysfunction. They have been exposed to an environment with high expectations and severe discipline when those expectations were not met. The causes of parental codependency can arise from the following factors: Past trauma There are cases where codependent parents have trauma that has not been resolved. They may carry emotional wounds from childhood that cause them to seek acceptance from their child constantly. Lack of boundaries The presence of healthy boundaries is foundational for everyone. A parent with codependency issues finds it challenging to have clearly defined boundaries. Low self-esteem Codependency frequently stems from low self-esteem. Parents who have experienced low self-esteem as children tend to need the approval of their children to feel validated. Fear of being abandoned A major factor in codependency is the fear of abandonment. As a child becomes more independent, the parent may feel like they are being forgotten or left alone. Role perception The normal expectations of parents in society can create extra pressure for a codependent parent. A parent who has been taught that they are the source of support and identity for their child, will often struggle with defining themselves in their child’s achievements. How to Recognize Parental Codependency Understanding parental codependency is vital to recognizing the symptoms. The symptoms may seem [...]

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ADHD and the Myth of Laziness

ADHD and the Myth of Laziness

Stephanie Kramer2025-04-18T07:21:20+00:00April 3rd, 2025|ADHD/ADD, Featured, Individual Counseling|

Does this scenario sound familiar? Maybe it’s 6 pm and you’re still in your pajamas, you’ve been wanting to tackle that stack of dishes all day, but yet, they remain on your counter, unwashed and crusted over. Or maybe you’ve known that you really should fold that mountain of laundry, but you just don’t move? This may indicate ADHD. Oh, the agony and angst of a homework assignment with a hard deadline. And what about those plans you made last week, because, it seemed so far away at the time, that now loom over you? But yet you sit there. Staring at your phone, scrolling through cat videos. Contentment and hyperfocus soon give way to the gnawing guilt. It whispers “You’re lazy” in your ear. And maybe other people in your life confirm that sentiment. If you have ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder), this struggle is all too familiar. But here’s the truth, and it’s good news: you are not lazy, despite what you may think and may have been told by a parent, spouse, boss, or teacher. Laziness is often the label someone gets when it appears that they are procrastinating or not putting in the appropriate amount of effort to accomplish that thing they need to do. But ADHD is not a problem with willpower, though that is what is popularly believed. And though it is not a battle with laziness, ADHD behavior can be deceptive and look like laziness to those around you. Why? Because ADHD causes your brain to access motivation differently, giving the appearance of laziness to those whose brains work differently. Frisco Christian Counseling can help you or your loved one better understand and manage ADHD with compassion and effective strategies. Why does ADHD look like laziness? Several characteristic behaviors in people with [...]

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What Codependence Feels Like

What Codependence Feels Like

Wade Van Staden2025-04-18T07:17:47+00:00March 13th, 2025|Codependency, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

Codependence can be crippling to friendships and relationships, but what is it, and how do you know if you are experiencing it? It’s not always apparent. People might spend years in a codependent relationship without either party realizing it. Rather than explain what codependence is, it might be more helpful to describe what codependence feels like. The Problem with Codependence Codependence is a dynamic in a relationship where two people have become entirely reliant on each other in a practical, emotional, and psychological way. It often takes the form of one member being a constant “victim” while the other person becomes a “rescuer.” This dynamic can feel safe and even wholesome at times, but it fosters complex trauma and prevents both people from finding independence and freedom. The imbalanced dynamic also means that one person becomes indebted to the other in complicated ways. For example, the rescuer in codependent dynamics is often narcissistic, dictating how the victim should behave. The victim is often a people-pleaser and eager to bend over backward for the sake of the rescuer. Each instance of codependence is unique, and it can be complicated to understand and confront. Frisco Christian Counseling can help you navigate these dynamics and work toward healthier relationships. What Codependence Feels Like The first step in healing from codependence is recognizing it. People in codependent relationships might not know what codependence is, but they might begin to feel unwell or concerned about the relationship. Some people understand themselves the best through their feelings, and so this is what codependency often feels like. Needing constant validation or affirmation Even though you might have been in the relationship for a long time, you never feel fully secure in it. You are constantly worried that you might somehow cause the end of the relationship. [...]

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Steering Away from Materialism Toward Meaningful Minimalism

Steering Away from Materialism Toward Meaningful Minimalism

Kate Motaung2025-04-18T07:13:34+00:00February 26th, 2025|Anxiety, Featured, Personal Development, Spiritual Development|

When is enough, enough? It could be said that we have an insatiable appetite for more in just about every area of our lives. We desire to break existing records and go faster, further, longer, or bigger. We desire to see more, be more, do more, have more. There’s a proverb that says, “Death and Destruction are never satisfied, and neither are human eyes” (Proverbs 27:20, NIV). That thirst for more drives us to innovate and invent creative solutions to existing problems. It allows us to understand God’s creation, including ourselves, better. However, the flip side is that our desire for more can lead us to try to satisfy it inappropriately, like trying to satisfy our thirst with foul water or our hunger with spoiled food. One of the ways we try to satisfy our deep thirst and hunger for more is through materialism. Materialism Materialism is when we prioritize owning or possessing things as a high or the highest value. It is measuring your self-worth by external markers such as your bank account, the luxury items you own, or whether you satisfy societal beauty standards. You are validated and worthwhile to the extent that you possess certain objects and material possessions, and this is often at the expense of other qualities. Materialism can be subtle, showing up in small ways such as feeling as if you don’t belong somewhere because you aren’t dressed as well as the other people around you. Or it could be the thought that if only you possessed this or that item, you’d be happy and fulfilled. Materialism can also be full-blown, overtaking your life and becoming the focus of your energies and sense of self. Frisco Christian Counseling can help you explore these patterns and realign your values with what truly matters. How Materialism Can [...]

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Signs of an Emotionally Unavailable Partner

Signs of an Emotionally Unavailable Partner

Kate Motaung2025-04-18T07:10:10+00:00January 17th, 2025|Couples Counseling, Featured, Individual Counseling, Relationship Issues|

The healthiest relationships draw out the best in people. They are based on qualities such as mutual respect, honesty, willingness to compromise, and vulnerability. Without these, it’s hard to form the bonds that give the depth and connectedness needed to make relationships meaningful. These qualities are what create emotional availability in a person for the sake of their relationships. Where these are lacking, it can make a person emotionally unavailable. If you’re in a relationship with an emotionally unavailable person, the relationship can feel stagnant, surface-deep, and frustrating. It’s helpful to know the signs of emotional unavailability to make any needed adjustments in the relationship and how you relate to each other. Frisco Christian Counseling can support you in recognizing these signs and navigating the changes needed for a healthier connection. Defining Emotional Unavailability A relationship functions best when it is a two-way street. Healthy relationships contain a good dose of give and take between the parties. While it’s never exactly fifty-fifty, the people in the relationship support each other and show up for each other in meaningful ways. They are aware of and take steps to care for each other’s needs. Likewise, they can share what they are feeling with one another. An emotionally unavailable person will struggle with these elements of a relationship. They routinely won’t show up for their partner, and struggle to reciprocate by being aware of, prioritizing, valuing, or respecting the needs of their partner. They may come across as cold or detached, though that’s not always the case. Being emotionally unavailable is rooted in childhood or life experiences. If a person is going through a tough season or issue like depression, or if they are pouring their focus into helping a loved one who’s struggling, or whose energy is being consumed by furthering [...]

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Turn the World Upside Down: Developing Undefeatable Confidence

Turn the World Upside Down: Developing Undefeatable Confidence

Kate Motaung2025-04-18T07:01:14+00:00December 26th, 2024|Featured, Personal Development, Professional Development, Spiritual Development|

What kills the fulfillment of a dream like low confidence? Without a healthy belief, anchored not just in God, but also in ourselves, we may find ourselves frustrated. This can come from the dream killers that launch assaults against our destiny and the details associated with daily life. Watching the world go on as others are living their perceived “best lives” is hard. It can make us feel permanently suspended between having a desire and being on our way to fulfilling what appears to be God’s impossible dream. Others, however, don’t have to dismay us. Instead, they can inspire and encourage. As we see what others are doing, we can be reminded that we aren’t the first to encounter this quandary. Challenges masquerade as obstacles. In reality, they are often essential to remain consistent in faith. They help us learn and grow as we catapult into the next place of purpose. Confidence matters because it is the marker of how we see the person within. Viewing ourselves through a distorted or negative lens impacts how we perceive our abilities. Looking in the mirror of God’s Word will equip us with the standard of His infallibility. In creating us, He made no mistakes or errors. Frisco Christian Counseling can help you rediscover this truth and build a healthier self-image rooted in God’s design. Though we are not perfect, we are yet formed in His Image. We have traits and talents that He enjoys and designed on purpose. He wants to teach us how to employ and deploy with Him, to extend His Kingdom. Awaken It may seem challenging to consider how to boost our confidence and elevate our sense of self-worth, but we don’t have to look far. Often, our childhoods tell a story that nods toward our future desires [...]

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