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Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD) or the "winter blues," is a common condition that gets triggered at the same time each year, usually in the fall. While it may be common to experience seasonal depression in different ways, it traditionally has the following symptoms:

Group psychotherapy is an incredibly effective therapy for a myriad of mental, behavioral, and emotional health concerns. It is also an approach that may feel intimidating and overwhelming. Any new experience, especially those where you do not know the process, can feel uncertain. It can feel uncomfortable to be yourself in a group of individuals, even when everyone is in the group for a shared reason, as it asks you to be vulnerable. Although group psychotherapy can feel unfamiliar at first, it begins to feel more comfortable as time goes on and you connect with yourself and others in the group.

If you struggle with perfectionism, you may also experience higher levels of stress, anxiety, and burnout. Maybe it feels like no matter what you do, it will never be enough. Perfectionism is associated with having high expectations of yourself that you likely would not expect of anyone else. It is also a way of regulating uncomfortable emotions, such as a fear of failure or a sense of shame and loneliness that may be present when not living up to specific standards.

The holiday season can be tricky to navigate. This is especially true when feeling pressured to attend family gatherings, fulfill expectations your family may have, and be around individuals you may not align with in terms of values and beliefs. Setting firm, healthy boundaries may feel challenging, but doing so can lower feelings of stress and anxiety during the holiday season.

The school year comes packed with numerous stresses, and as the semester continues marching forward, these stresses can become more and more prevalent. Tests, quizzes, and one's own academic goals can cause a great deal of anxiety, with many students looking for any way to alleviate these feelings. Unfortunately, this can also lead to a dangerous relationship with addictive substances, compromising one's health while inhibiting one's ability to strive towards academic success.

Even if it is just for five minutes, a morning routine can help you move through your life with greater ease and presence. Having productive habits at the start of each day does not just include important practices like getting up at the same time and making your bed. It also involves checking in with yourself and setting your intentions for the day.

Like recovery from mental illness, fitness is not the same for everybody. Believing so can hinder you from finding a routine that feels good and works for you. Fitness can look different for everyone and even look different for you each day, depending on the needs of your mind and body at the time.

Have you ever thought about beginning a meditation practice?

Therapy can help you learn about yourself and discover your character and what motivates you as an individual. If you crave a deeper relationship with yourself, therapy can anchor you into self-discovery, self-empowerment, and self-trust. For it to work, you must find a therapist you can connect with and trust the process.

One of the significant barriers to effective self-care is an individual’s feeling that they are somehow being lazy if they take time for themselves. However, there are several key differences between taking time for self-care and laziness.

Part of your recovery journey from an eating disorder may include relapsing — maybe once, twice, or possibly more. No matter how many times you relapse, you can still recover.

Self-acceptance is the ability to accept your positive and negative attributes. It allows you to believe in your capabilities and protect yourself from negative criticism. With self-acceptance, you feel safe being yourself and expressing yourself in ways that make sense and feel good for you.