Open Akers Counseling Services

When we’re overwhelmed with our daily lives, care of ourselves is the last thing on our list of things to do. Nevertheless, when we are stressed-out, self-care is one of the most important things we can do. #mentalhealth #selfcare

How we approach gradual changes in our lives can not only impact how we feel about those changes at the moment, these perspectives have the potential to bolster us throughout our lives, leading to a feeling of a better quality of life as we age. #mentalhealth

COVID-19 (The Coronavirus) has impacted so many parts of our daily lives. However, it does not have to impede our ability to connect and support each other. In that spirit, Open Akers Counselling Services is still offering a free weekly online Support Group For Alberta residence 18 years of age and older from 7 PM To 8:30 PM on Saturdays. *Except for Saturday, December 26* For more information about the group or to sign up, email [email protected] or go to http://www.openakers.com and click on Group Therapy. We may be apart, but that doesn't mean we can't come together as a community! **Please repost and share**

For many of us, especially when we are struggling, gaining insight into what is driving our behaviours can be a necessary but difficult task. If you are ready to go on your insight journey, Open Akers Counselling Services is here to support you! You don’t have to go on this journey alone. #quoteoftheday #insight #mentalhealth

How many times have you heard a family member or friend tell you to put on a smile or a happy face? While that may feel condescending, the facial expressions we make or unconsciously copy from interacting with other people can impact how we feel at the moment. #mentalhealth #emotions

For many Canadian post-secondary students, the coming week, November 9 to the 13th, is fall break or reading week. Students look forward to this week to help manage the pressures that come with undertaking higher education. However, a recent study calls into question the long-term benefits of the break for students’ mental health. According to Agnew, Khan & Poole (2018), Students experienced fewer stressors after the break than before it but experienced higher levels of over...all stress (p. 142). While students may feel less stress during the break or immediately following it, it may lead to experiencing greater tension later on in the semester or year. One mitigating factor to this increased pressure that the authors note in a related study is students’ ability or willingness to adopt healthy lifestyle habits associated with mental health (Khan & Poole, 2018). With that in mind, while reading week maybe an ample opportunity for rest, relaxation and catching up on homework, it is also a chance to establish healthy habits that will serve you for the rest of the school year. If you want assistance building those healthy habits during reading week or any other time, contact Open Akers Counselling Services. You don’t have to go it alone! #mentalhealth #readingweek #studentlife See more

In a study titled Sugar intake from sweet food and beverages, common mental disorder and depression: prospective findings from the Whitehall II study by Anika Knuppel, Shipley, Llewellyn and Brunner (21 November 2016) is the first of its kind to indicate that high intakes of sugar contributes to depression in men. #mentalhealth

#qoutesoftheday #mentalhealth

For many of us, social media is a part of our daily lives. However, like many other aspects of our lives, it can be challenging to balance what level of impact it has on us. Below are six ways you can improve or continue to have a healthy relationship with social media. #mentalhealth #socialmedia

Having adequate sleep is essential for addressing our mental health concerns. Studies report that depressed patients who continue to experience insomnia are less likely to respond to treatment than those without sleep problems. Even patients whose mood improves with antidepressant therapy are more at risk for a relapse of depression later on. (Harvard Health Publishing, 2020)