Wellness /

Mental Health

Coping with grief: Finding hope in hard times

Wellness

Sep 30, 2021

Loss is a natural part of life that often requires us to seek guidance from others to find hope, meaning and strength to move forward. Danny Tomlinson, a chaplain at Baylor Scott & White Health, helps families cope and find...

An open letter to the ones who feel like they haven’t done enough

Wellness

Jul 15, 2021

To the ones who feel like they haven’t done enough:You are not alone. I recently heard an ER physician on the radio speak to the fact that he would come home exhausted after taking care of COVID-19 patients and question...

4 free self-care ideas to help you reset without breaking the bank

Wellness

May 4, 2021

The need for self-care is at an all-time high, but self-care is always important. Taking care of ourselves with kindness and gratitude is a crucial part of our well-being.In a society that exalts work above rest, it can be difficult...

How telehealth is helping veteran families connect and cope with stress

Wellness

Apr 27, 2021

Amidst the shutdowns and other safety precautions taken to slow the spread of COVID-19, families have experienced new stressors — and telehealth has experienced an unprecedented boom. Even prior to COVID-19, Baylor Scott & White’s Warriors Research Institute (WRI) was...

How to start a daily journaling habit

Wellness

Apr 7, 2021

What if there was a simple way to reduce stress, improve immune function and boost your mood? Journaling, a simple activity, has shown to do this and more! Let’s explore how journaling can be an effective way to process thoughts...

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Life is stressful—it’s time for a mental health check-in

Wellness

Jan 25, 2021

How are you feeling? How have you been feeling the past week? Most importantly, what are you doing about how you’re feeling? Let’s talk about the importance of checking into our emotions and mental well-being, and explore a few tools...

20 takeaways from 2020

Wellness

Jan 6, 2021

I know. I know. Most of us would rather leave 2020 in hindsight and gaze only into the hopeful eyes of 2021. In a time full of uncertainty and loss, I’m right there with you. Yet, as we end this...

Is exercise the key to happiness? The movement-mood connection

Wellness

Dec 8, 2020

Picture this: you are helping a friend move. You spend the day bending at the knees and picking up boxes and furniture. Stairs may be involved, and you are in utter disbelief by the amount of things your friend owns....

Feelings about feelings: Navigating meta-emotions during a pandemic

Wellness

Dec 1, 2020

If you are anything like me, this past year has been a rollercoaster of emotions. There have been the ups of finding new ways to connect with family and friends, yet the downs of uncertainty and a lot of alone...

A simple guide to mindfulness for beginners

Wellness

Sep 10, 2020

Picture this: you’re in the middle of a meditation. You close your eyes and think, “Breathe in, focus on your breath. Breathe out…”As you exhale your mind wanders to, “Oh no! I forgot to get the cilantro at the grocery...

Why is laughter contagious? Plus 7 ways to lighten up your day

Wellness

Aug 12, 2020

Have you ever bonded with someone you don’t know over something funny? Or perhaps become closer with someone after a few good laughs? Let’s dive into what makes laughter so contagious — and so important in our day-to-day lives and relationships.The...

The complicated relationship between insomnia, depression and anxiety

Wellness

Aug 3, 2020

Do you find yourself having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep or not feeling rested when you wake up? Let us dig into some of the reasons why you may not be getting your best night’s sleep. You might be surprised...

Feeling burned out? Try these 4 strategies to re-charge your workday

Wellness

Jul 9, 2020

In the 1970’s, Dr. Herbert Freudenberger coined the term “burnout” to describe the consequences of severe stress, exhaustion and combined physical symptoms. Fast forward several decades and today, burnout is a bigger problem than ever before.My patients often inquire about ways...

How to practice self-care through self-compassion

Wellness

Jun 18, 2020

Compassion. Such a powerful word. In my opinion, it’s one of the most important traits a person can have. It can be as simple as smiling at someone you don’t know or as multi-layered as taking action for a cause...

Feeling lonely? How to foster social connection during hard times

Wellness

Jun 15, 2020

We live in unprecedented times. Social distancing guidelines have made it more difficult for loved ones to interact, co-workers to collaborate and friends to gather together. For some, this may lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation. New challenges emerge...

Weighing in on weighted blankets: Do they really help anxiety?

Wellness

Apr 3, 2020

Is anxiety keeping you up at night? How often do you lie awake in bed, unable to turn off the gears in your brain? Whether it’s tomorrow’s to-do list, that conversation you wish had gone differently today or mounting financial...

19 quick and easy mood-boosting activities

Wellness

Mar 31, 2020

We all get stuck in a rut sometimes. Maybe you woke up on the wrong side of the bed or perhaps you are simply overwhelmed by the stressors of everyday life. Feeling a little down from time to time is...

Want to live longer? Try being an optimist

Wellness

Jan 27, 2020

Becoming optimistic can empower you to deal with challenges and move toward happiness and success. But what if optimism could be our fountain of youth and allow us to live longer and healthier? Longevity, defined as living to the age...

Stressed about money? 5 steps to financial wellness

Wellness

Jan 20, 2020

It likely comes as no surprise that finances are the biggest source of stress for Americans. Financial stress affects nearly everyone, regardless of social economic status. I often ask my patients experiencing symptoms of anxiety, “What stressors are involved in...

20 ideas to spark a daily gratitude habit

Wellness

Nov 25, 2019

Gratitude sounds simple, but it isn’t always easy to put into practice. Why? Simply put, we’re busy. Hitting pause doesn’t come easily for most of us. We polled our physicians, nurses, surgeons and staff to talk about gratitude, why it...