Relatively Normal

I love music.  There's no other way to put it.  It doesn't matter if I am working, playing, running or anything in-between, the music is on.  A lot of us use music for mental health and to either keep us in a mood or put us in a better mood.  This week, I welcome my friend Tom Hammond on to continue a conversation we started about how music affects our mood.  If you haven't tried some "music therapy" I suggest you do.  It works for me and it could work for you.

There is no denying it - there is still a stigma associated with mental health and mental illness.  On this week's show, I welcome in Licensed Professional Counselor, Adjunct Professor of Applied Behavioral Studies/Licensed Professional Counseling, and Board Approved LPC Clinical Supervisor, David Pfaff.  David helps us to break down why there is a stigma, the history of stigma and what we can do to help alleviate any future stigma associated with mental illness.  David works and teaches on the front lines of the mental health profession and gives us his professional and personal take on this important subject.

In past episodes, I have explained how I have gone through bouts of anxiety and depression during some pretty calm times in my life.  It is normal to think that during the coronavirus pandemic, my anxiety would be through the roof. But, to the contrary, lately I have been calm and relaxed.  There is a reason for that and I will talk about it this week on my latest episode.  A big thing I will mention is that, just like when we are down, we need to validate our positive feelings too.  We need to tell our ourselves that it is ok to feel good even when others are not.  We can't always predict and understand how or why our brain works the way it does.  Sometimes, we just need to accept it.

This week, I chat with Lawton Swann, owner and host of Clemson Sports Talk on Fox Sports and iHeart Radio. Lawton and I have been friends for over 20 years but it wasn't until recently that I opened up to him about my bouts of depression and constant anxiety.  Lawton talks to me about how our friendship has changed through the years, how he wants more people to reach out to their friends in need and other thoughts about mental illness.  He also talks about a devastating loss in his life which opened his eyes to how mental illness can affect those around you.

How much time do you spend being anxious or nervous about something that may not even happen?  How about the time you spend worrying about something that may only take up a few moments of your life?  If you are anything like me, you give a lot of your life away being anxious or depressed about an action that may have only taken a few minutes.  In this week's show, I talk about how this "wasted" time has affected me in the past, how I am dealing with it in the present and how I hope to improve in the future.  Remember, you don't have to always let your negative thoughts derail your mindset.  

This is a unique time in our lives.  With many of us having to uproot our lives and stay at home during this pandemic, emotions are all over the place.  This week I talk of ways I have been coping in hopes to help you while we live through this tough situation.  Please take care of yourself and reach out if you need any help.  We'll get through this together.

Today I discuss some dos and don'ts  while working at home during the coronavirus.  Enjoy

It isn't uncommon that mental fatigue pops up at the most inopportune times.  Most of the time we try to fight through and tell ourselves that it is just part of our everyday process.  However, it can take a huge toll on our mental fortitude and we should be honest with ourselves when trying to get too much out of ourselves.  This week, I talk about how mental fatigue has played a role in my life and what we can do to cope a little bit better.

A phrase thrown around a lot is "trying is not good enough."  For years I believed this and would tell others.  However, I have finally come to the realization that nothing can be accomplished without trying especially with mental health.  Once we stop trying, things can go horribly bad.  Whatever you do, keep fighting. keep trying - anything and everything you can to cope with your mental health issues.  

What makes today special? The sun coming out? the birds singing? Your best friend calling you? What about the fact that you are here, living it.  Some days are hard, some days are harder.  The simple fact that you are here, we are here, makes all the difference.  We cannot get through the hard times without living them.  Keep placing yourself at the center of your day and make sure you are at least here to live it!