Evolve Counseling & Coaching Blog

What Are the Main Causes of Postpartum Depression?
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

What Are the Main Causes of Postpartum Depression?

Many new mothers experience the “baby blues” for a couple of weeks after giving birth—this often includes anxiety, crying, difficulty concentrating, irritability, mood swings, reduced appetite, sadness, and trouble sleeping. But if your symptoms are especially severe or persist for longer, you might have what’s known as postpartum depression.

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5 Summer Activities That Can Boost Your Mental Health
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

5 Summer Activities That Can Boost Your Mental Health

The sun’s out, the temperature is rising, and… you’re feeling down. While people typically experience the effects of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) in the fall and winter months, this condition can also cause some individuals to feel down in the spring and summer. Whether you have SAD or you’re feeling down for another reason, here are

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What Is Journaling & How Can It Help You?
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

What Is Journaling & How Can It Help You?

If you’ve been researching self-care practices, you may have come across something known as journaling. But what is journaling, exactly, and what can it do to improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health?

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3 Things You Never Knew About Meditation
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

3 Things You Never Knew About Meditation

You’ve probably heard of meditation, a practice that focuses on clearing your mind to improve your overall well-being. But how familiar are you with it? Here are three things you never knew about meditation.

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Why Does Exercise Reduce Stress?
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Why Does Exercise Reduce Stress?

If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels?

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3 Tips for Starting a Self-Care Routine
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

3 Tips for Starting a Self-Care Routine

You’ve probably heard of “self-care Sunday,” a recent trend that involves devoting one day a week to nourishing your mind and body. Whether you want to start practicing self-care on Sundays, Wednesdays, Fridays—or every day—good for you!

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Coping With Grief After Losing a Job

People often speak of grief in terms of losing a loved one, but did you know it can also result from the loss of a job? It’s true. When you lose a job—especially one that you enjoyed and planned to stay at well into the future—it can cause you to question your self-worth…

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Nurturing Positive Relationships With Friends

The importance of having positive friendships in your life cannot be overstated. Healthy friendships can help you feel happier and more self-confident, reduce your stress levels, and prevent you from feeling lonely or isolated. When times are good, friends can help you celebrate. And when times are bad, they can help pick you up and provide a kind shoulder to lean on.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

The Powerful Benefits of Forgiveness

There is a very old saying that says, “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.” This is a warning to people to not act out in anger or resentment because you only end up harming yourself. Over time, these feelings of resentment can build until the individual develops feelings of depression or anxiety.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Understanding Common Anxiety Disorders

Anxiety is very common—in fact, according to the Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA), anxiety disorders affect 40 million U.S. adults every year. Yet many people don’t have a strong understanding of anxiety and may not realize that it can take many forms. Here are some of the most common types of anxiety:

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Therapy for Geriatric Issues - You’re Never Too Old for Therapy

Aging is not for the faint of heart. While some people approach their senior years eagerly, relishing the thought of retirement and spoiling grandchildren, others may have a hard time accepting the passage of time. It can be challenging for many to deal with medical conditions and limited mobility, find enjoyable, meaningful activities, and reconcile with the grief of losing loved ones and their own mortality.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Signs you Need to Take a Mental Health Day

Do you ever get up in the morning and wonder if it would be okay for you to take a mental health day? If so, you’re definitely not alone. In fact, research from the American Psychological Association shows that today’s workforce is experiencing job burnout at alarming rates.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

30 Common Signs of Stress

Stress is a reaction that occurs when someone feels pressured or threatened, and while some amount of stress can energize you and motivate you to complete tasks, too much of it can negatively your mental and physical health.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

What Are the 5 Stages of PTSD?

You’ve likely heard of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a mental health condition that can cause someone to experience anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and other symptoms after living through a traumatic or difficult event.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Know if You’re an Introvert

What’s the difference between introversion and extroversion, and how can you tell whether you’re an introvert? We’ve got the answers you need below.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

How to Tell Someone Your Boundaries

So, you’ve decided that it’s time to set some boundaries in your life. Good for you! Boundaries are essential to maintaining relationships with friends, family members, and coworkers, as they can help build trust and respect.

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

What Is the 333 Rule for Anxiety?

If you regularly experience anxiety, you may have researched ways to relieve your symptoms and come across a coping mechanism known as the “333 rule.”

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Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

10 Relaxation Tips for Busy Professionals

Does your career often leave you feeling stressed? If so, you’re not alone. According to statistics published by the American Institute of Stress, 40% of workers reported that their job was very or extremely stressful, and 25% viewed their job as the No. 1 stressor in their life….

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Supporting Friends and Family Who May Be in a Domestic Abuse Situation
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Supporting Friends and Family Who May Be in a Domestic Abuse Situation

When our loved ones are struggling and in pain, it can be very difficult to know what to do to help them. Seeing friends and family in an abusive relationship can be particularly challenging. We just “want to shake them” and have them see what we see and follow our advice. But coming on too strong with our opinions and advice can backfire on us, causing our loved ones to stop confiding in us.

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Debunking 3 Common Myths About PTSD
Nikki Schwisow Nikki Schwisow

Debunking 3 Common Myths About PTSD

When someone lives through a traumatic event, they may begin experiencing symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and nightmares. If these symptoms worsen, interfere with the person’s daily routine, or persist for an extended period of time (months or years), it’s referred to as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

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