Mind

Old Woman make exercise why she is protected Alzheimer's disease
Mind

Brain-Sharpening Exercises and Activities 

Just like our bodies, our brains change as we age. But there are exercises and activities that can slow or even prevent some of that decline.

Mind

What I’m Doing Instead of Drinking This St. Patrick’s Day

Mental health advocate and contributing writer Monica Drake shares why she decided not to drink this St. Patrick's Day — and her plans to celebrate the Irish holiday without the alcohol.

Mind

Signs of Feeding and Eating Disorders in Children

Feeding and eating disorders are considered mental health disorders and medical illnesses. Understanding the types, signs and symptoms is important, regardless of an individual’s age and gender. 

Mind

How Sleep Syncing Can Give You a Better Night’s Rest

Have you heard of sleep syncing? This TikTok trend could lead you down a path toward better sleep. Here are the bullet points.

Mind

5 Ways to Get Moving with Meditation

Who says meditation has to be solitary, still and boring? Get active in your practice with these five moves. Meditation takes many forms, and these five can be a boon for your physical and mental health.

Mind

What’s the Let-Down Effect? Here’s How I Dealt With It

Mental health advocate and contributor Monica Drake shares her experience with the let-down effect after planning and celebrating her wedding, and how she dealt with the feelings of listlessness after the big day.

Mind

Why Tanning Beds Don’t Help with Seasonal Depression

Thinking about popping into a tanning bed to ward off the winter blues? Not so fast.

Mind

Ways to Combat Winter Restlessness

Did you know emotions associated with the “winter blues” can affect 10% to 20% of people this time of year? These tips can help you combat those emotions.

Mind

Benefits of Owning a Dog

Most dogs are naturally happy and even excited to see their owners. They wag their tails, lean against their owner, stick close for a head scratch or a friendly greeting. It’s a welcome-home reaction that’s pretty hard to beat. It speaks to the bond most people have with their pets, and this relationship has lots of perks for the owners, too. Four-legged friends bring their owners both mental and physical benefits as part of their relationships.

Mind

What is the Goldilocks Rule for Social Media Use?

Many of us can afford to shave down the amount of time we spend on social media. It's also a useful professional tool, and can be a boon to our social lives in small doses. Balance is key.

Mind

How Washing Your Face Can Help Your Brain

Cleansing your face each day has bigger benefits than just healthy-looking skin.

Mind

The Calming Effect of Decluttering

Here are six tips on tackling clutter and organizing. If you’re dealing with items inherited from parents and items your grown children have left behind, these pointers are especially helpful.

Millennial man organizing his book collections
Mind

Decluttering for the New Year 

Clutter doesn't always refer to physical items. If your house and your life feel a little messy, it’s time to declutter for the New Year. Here are some tips.

Mind

Why Decluttering Makes Your Brain Happy and How to Start

Is your space running out of...space? Before you buy more organizational products, consider going the opposite direction and getting rid of some of the clutter. That can be easier said than done, so here are some tips.

Mind

How I Am Managing the Holidays While Grieving

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake writes about how she is managing the holiday season while grieving a recent loss in her family.

Mind

How to Treat Your Weekend Like a Vacation

When your weeks feel cyclical and repetitive, try treating a weekend like a vacation. Here's how to unplug, unwind, and get into that vacation mindset.

Mind

Are New Year’s Resolutions Bad?

Integrative health expert, keynote speaker, radio personality, business owner and NASM Master Trainer Angela T. Moore talks about the pros and cons of New Year's resolutions. Are they bad? The answer might surprise you.

Mind

3 Tips to Ease Travel Anxiety

If stress has become an uninvited guest on your vacations or work trips, you may have travel anxiety.

Mind

Healthy New Year: Take Baby Steps to Improve Your Health

This year, trade your big New Year's resolutions for small goals that will make you healthier.

Mind

Social Media Can Put a Damper on Your Holiday Spirit

If scrolling and swiping makes you feel less than festive, don’t let social media put a damper on your holiday celebrations.

Mind

5 Meditations to Try

Ready to add a little more zen to your life? Try these 5 kinds of meditations.

Mind

How I Learned to Manage Impulsive and Intrusive Thoughts

Mental health advocate and contributor Monica Drake shares how she learned the difference between impulsive and intrusive thoughts -- and how they affect her mental health.

Mind

Overcoming Post-Vacation Blues

If getting back from a trip gives you the blues, here’s how to overcome post-vacation depression.

woman poses in a Santa hat while feeling sad with the holiday blues
Mind

Advice for Coping with Holiday Blues

Contributor Monica Drake shares what you can do if the holidays aren’t feeling so joyful right now.

Mind

‘Alcohol is Not Your Friend:’ BCBSM Medical Director of Behavioral Health Digs into His Passion for Advocating Against Alcohol Abuse

Dr. William T. Beecroft has advocated against alcohol abuse for much of his 40-plus-year health care career. Here, he reflects and shares some candid thoughts.

Mind

3 Ways to Avoid Overeating During the Holidays

Holidays can mean overeating to the point of stretchy pants and undoing some waistband buttons. But they don’t have to.

5 Ways to Stop Holiday Stress Before It Starts  
Mind

8 Ways to Stop Holiday Stress Before It Starts

The holidays are as stressful as they are joyous. When it comes to shopping, traveling, decorating and family time, here are ways to mitigate the stress.

Mind

Health Benefits of Using a Sauna

Superheated environments like saunas have physical and mental health benefits.

Mind

How Change – Even Good Change – Affects My Anxiety

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake writes about one of the biggest triggers for her anxiety -- change -- as she prepared to get married.

Mind

How Your Gut Health Affects Your Mental Health

How does your brain keep connected to your gut, and what does it mean for your mental health?

Mind

What I Learned By Shifting to a Different Mirror

integrative health expert, keynote speaker, radio personality, and business owner. She's a NASM Master Trainer, PAngela T. Moore explains the different types of workouts available and how you can decide which one is best for you.

Mind

What are the Seven Principles of Mindfulness?

Taking time to clear your mind of thoughts, judgments and opinions can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. This practice is known as mindfulness.

Mind

The Benefits of Starting Your Child’s Yoga Practice

While it’s often thought of as an adult wellness activity, kids can realize the same health benefits by discovering their inner “yogi.” Why not start them early?

Mind

What is Intuitive Eating?

When you eat intuitively, you listen to your body. You trust it to let you know when you are full and satisfied. You also reject the new fad diet of the month. Here are the benefits and risks.

Mind

How Does Alcohol Affect My Sleep?

Booze before bed may seem like an OK way to help you doze off quickly. But the tradeoff is usually fragmented sleep, wakefulness and a very groggy day after.

Mind

This Suicide Prevention Month, I Remember.

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake writes about what Suicide Prevention Month means to her and why.

Mind

A Healthy Diet for People with Alzheimer’s

Can what you eat slow down age-related cognitive decline or early signs of Alzheimer’s?

Mind

How I Stay Healthy in College

School is back and so is the juggling act that comes with life on campus for college students. BCBSM'S 2023 corporate communications interns recently shared their diet, exercise and self-care regimens.

Mind

Know this Acronym to Help Prevent Suicide

Learn about WAIT, which offers simple suicide prevention advice.

Jozlynn Blankenbaker poses for a photo on the Wayne State University campus.
Mind

The Power of a Routine in College

Having trouble staying organized at school? Adding structure to our lives can bring out the best versions of ourselves. Here's what a routine-oriented approach can offer.

Male and female friends walk together between classes in college.
Mind

Top 5 Red Flags in Friendships

Recognizing and addressing the red flags in a friendship can be crucial to your mental and physical well-being. Start an open dialogue with your friend if you encounter these five red flags.

Mind

How I Protected My Mental Health While Dating

Since the unknown is one of the biggest triggers for my anxiety, it’s no wonder that dating had such an effect on me.

Mind

The Health Benefits of Grounding

Swim in a lake, walk in the grass or lay on the sand and you might get the benefits from grounding.

Mind

How Breastfeeding Affects Mental Health

When facing problems with breastfeeding, women may experience feelings of depression or symptoms similar to post traumatic stress syndrome.

Two people chat over coffee with their phones tucked away in a nearby basket.
Mind

Limiting Screen Time to Simplify Your Life

Most of us spend too much time on our phones. You’d be surprised how much mental clarity you gain by cutting down on your screen time.

Man writes at his desk at night
Mind

Writing One Sentence Per Day: How it Helped My Creativity

Summer intern Mike Merucci shares how writing one sentence per day helped boost his creativity and his mental health.

Scrolling social media on a mobile phone
Mind

Dopamine Detox: What You Need to Know

If you are a frequent social media user, you might have stumbled upon the latest health trend called a “dopamine detox.” But does it work?

A woman lying in a hammock enjoying the health benefits of doing nothing
Mind

Give it a Rest: The Health Benefits of Doing Nothing 

It's a busy world. But when you take time to do nothing, you can passively check in on both your mental and physical health.

Caitlyn Begosa
Mind

Starting College Out-of-State Was Scary. Here’s How I Coped. 

Contributor and summer intern Caitlyn Begosa writes about starting her first year of college out-of-state, and how she learned to adapt.

Olivia Durkee
Mind

Why I Started Hiking for Mental Clarity

Contributor and summer intern Olivia Durkee shares how hiking has helped her mental health and become an outlet for her stress.

Monica Drake's two cats
Mind

How My Pets Helped My Mental Health 

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how her pets have helped her mental health.

Happy woman embracing her friend on the street.
Mind

The Importance of Connecting with Old Friends 

Reconnecting with an old friend can feel good. You being the one to initiate the contact can be good for both of you.

Smiling group of people walking together outdoors
Mind

Six Ways to Improve Social Wellness  

These six areas of social wellness can unlock a better, more well-rounded health profile.

Modern Caucasian young woman playing video games on mobile phone
Mind

Can You Beat These 5 Brain Teasers? 

Brain teasers are not only fun but good mental exercise that supports a variety of cognitive functions.

Jenna Natwick
Mind

Mental Health and Fitness: My Experience Becoming a Gym Regular

Summer intern Jenna Natwick shares how becoming a gym regular has helped her with her anxiety.

Lucky girl syndrome
Mind

What is #luckygirlsyndrome? 

Ready to follow the new trend of #luckygirlsyndrome? Here’s how to start.

Woman with a heavy weight doing a dead lift
Mind

Reduce Your Load if The Weight is Too Heavy

Licensed therapist, NASM master trainer and integrative health expert Angela T. Moore shares signs you're carrying too much weight — mentally and physically.

Monica Drake panic attack
Mind

What Does it Feel Like to Have a Panic Attack?

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares her experience with panic attacks, and talks about the strategies that help her manage them.

How to Maintain Balance Between Mental and Physical Health
Mind

How to Maintain Balance Between Mental and Physical Health

Did you know there’s a strong link between our mental and physical health? On this episode, we discuss how each affects the other and ways to maintain balance.

Young Woman Meditating By Peaceful Sea
Mind

Summer Solstice Meditation 

A Summer Solstice meditation session might be just the thing to get your mind and body in sync for summer.

Multiracial woman meditating outdoors
Mind

Meditation Garden: Everything You Need to Create Your Own 

As more people lean into meditation, here’s what to know about creating your own meditation garden.

An Overweight man at a gym
Mind

Men's Health Month: Men Have Body Image Issues Too

Men worry about their appearance more than you think. Learn how to improve body image and get rid of negative thoughts once and for all.

Can Gardening Improve Mental Health?
Mind

Can Gardening Improve Mental Health?

On top of growing your own food and plants, you could be relieving stress and improving your attention span every time you get in the garden.

Monica Drake
Mind

How My Anxiety Weighs on My Decision to Have Children

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how her anxiety has affected her feelings on having a family in the future.

How to Cope with Negative Body Image
Mind

How to Cope with Negative Body Image

From media to societal pressures, there’s a lot that can influence how we feel about our physical appearance. Here's how to cope with those feelings.

Mia Gallucci sitting by the edge of a lake practicing mindfulness
Mind

Practicing Mindfulness Without Meditation: My Mindfulness Journey

Contributor Mia Gallucci writes about trying to practice mindfulness without meditating — all while doing everyday activities.

Caregiver hugging older woman
Mind

Caregiving Can Be Stressful. Here Is How to Ask for Help.

Often unpaid caregivers sacrifice their health and well-being to meet the needs of a loved one. Here are some tips from the experts on how to ask for help.

Close up sunset portrait of attractive woman with closed eyes and sun in back light. Dreaming and enjoying feeling concept lifestyle emotion. Serene female people outdoor with curly hair
Mind

How Resiliency Impacts Your Overall Health 

Being resilient is about more than just your attitude. How well you handle the rollercoaster of life impacts your health.

A couple enjoys a spa day.
Mind

Benefits of Spa Treatments for Stress Awareness Month

Relaxation is key to combating high stress levels. Spa treatments are a great way to reduce stress levels and achieve a level of relaxation.

Angela Moore in her office
Mind

Tips for Highly Productive People: How to Know When to Rest

Licensed therapist, NASM master trainer and integrative health expert Angela T. Moore shares how to know when it's time to take a break from work and rest.

Woman at home office is walking on under desk treadmill
Mind

Managing Remote Work Stress 

Stress can creep up on all of us, especially if we’re juggling working from home. Here’s how to better manage remote work stress.

Monica Drake poses for a photo in her gym.
Mind

I Always Hated Exercise – Until I Saw How Much it Helped My Anxiety

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how starting an exercise routine has helped her manage her anxiety.

Smiling young friends using binoculars during a nature hike
Mind

Mental Health Benefits of Birding 

Spotting a warbler perched on a pine branch or a hawk soaring overhead can be thrilling. But birding also has mental health benefits.

The super disinfecting son and dad duo
Mind

Mental Health Benefits of Spring Cleaning 

Removing clutter can have a positive impact on a person’s mood and mental health. Learn more about the mental benefits of spring cleaning.

Mia in Florence, Italy, on a trip that helped her to learn Italian.
Mind

Parli Italiano? What Learning a Language Taught Me About Myself

Contributor Mia Gallucci writes about her inspiration for learning a second language — a journey that took dedication and consistency.

When Stress Becomes Chronic
Mind

How to Know When Stress Becomes Chronic

Frazzled? Anxious? Tense? What do we do when stress becomes long-lasting to the point where it’s noticeably weighing on us? Find out here.

Two women sitting and talking about recovery
Mind

Tips for Helping a Person in Recovery from Drugs or Alcohol

Helping someone who struggles with drug or alcohol addiction achieve recovery is a process that is different for everyone.

Laughter is the best medicine
Mind

Why Laughing is Good for You 

Like the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. From a giggle to a guffaw, here are all the ways that laughing is good for you.

Sad mid adult man in the kitchen at home
Mind

What Are Tiny Traumas? 

Relationship issues, family drama and a tight budget all are things that can add up to tiny traumas.

Monica Drake
Mind

Here is What I Did When Life Felt Pointless

Contributor and mental health advocate Monica Drake shares how she managed her feelings when life felt pointless — and how she got help.

Two teenagers have fun playing in the rain.
Mind

4 Practical Ways to Start Living in the Present

Do you ever ask yourself, “Is it the weekend yet?” If you do, it might be time for you to start trying to find joy in the present.

Home caregiver helping a senior woman standing in the bedroom
Mind

Vitamin D May Help Prevent Dementia 

Results from a new study that tracked thousands of people in the U.S. show regular vitamin D use may help prevent dementia.

An African-American Single Mother Preparing Vegan Lunch In The Kitchen And Smiling With Her Little Daughter
Mind

Habits to Build a Heathy Relationship with Food

Guilt, remorse, stress: These have no place in our feelings about meals and snacks. Here’s how to improve your relationship with food.

A woman enjoys a pottery project.
Mind

Simple Ways to Love Yourself Every Day

It’s important to love yourself for who you are today. These self-care tips can help you love yourself a little more than you did yesterday.

Woman wipes down her keyboard at her work station while spring cleaning
Mind

6 Things You’re Forgetting to Spring Clean

There may be some parts of your life that may be more cluttered than you realize – and causing you stress. Here are six things to spring clean.

Woman relaxing on couch with weighted blanket
Mind

Benefits of Weighted Blankets for Sleep 

Tired of tossing and turning? If you’re looking for more restful sleep, a weighted blanket might help.

Young Man Snoozing Alarm On A Smart Phone
Mind

Five Ways to Prepare for Daylight Saving Time 

If the thought of springing your clock forward is not appealing, here are some ways to ease into Daylight Saving Time.

Smiling Young Woman Sitting on the Couch in her Living Room and Writing a Journal
Mind

Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Feeling down or like you’re having too many bad days? Here are a few things you can do to improve your mental health.

Woman sits at home with coffee and a journal
Mind

The Power of Journaling

Gracefully Greying health correspondent Lila Lazarus brings a new way to positively impact your health: journaling.

Group therapy in session sitting in a circle
Mind

How Friends are Good for Brain Health 

Can having good friends make your memory better? Here’s how social circles are good for your brain.

A good book can do the world of good
Mind

How to Get Back into Reading

Find your inner bookworm again with these tips for getting back into reading.

Monica Drake - Heart Health Month
Mind

Taking Care of Your Heart and Mental Health Go Hand-in-Hand

Writer and mental health advocate Monica Drake offers a reminder for American Heart Month that taking care of your mental health is good for your heart.

Young woman speaks with a counselor.
Mind

Forming a Healthy Relationship with Food: West Michigan Dietitian Discusses Keys to Conquer an Eating Disorder

Finding “food freedom” should be a goal for anyone battling an eating disorder, according to an experienced dietician from West Michigan.

Angela Moore
Mind

The Moment I Decided to Stop Being a Victim

Licensed therapist, NASM master trainer and integrative health expert Angela T. Moore shares her personal journey through trauma.

Caucasian woman has a problem with bulimic and sitting at the couch at home
Mind

Disordered Eating vs. Feeding and Eating Disorders: Signs to Watch For 

Learning the different types of eating disorders, as well as the signs of an eating problem, can help as a first step. Here’s what you need to know.

Mind

5 Ways to Shake Off the Winter Blues 

It’s time to kick some of those cold-weather habits to the curb. Here are a few ways to beat the winter blues.

Close up view, portrait. Woman is with golden retriever dog at home
Mind

How to Deal With the Loss of Your Pet 

Losing a pet can be very difficult. They’re more than just animals. Often, they are beloved members of the family.

Paint store employee assists male customer
Mind

How Painting Your Room Can Boost Your Mood 

You might be able to change your mood as easily as you change your wall color. Here’s how a new coat of paint can boost your mood.

Young woman sitting in a lotus position at home and using singing bowl.Relaxation and meditation.Sound therapy,alternative medicine.Buddhist healing practices.Clearing the space of negative energy.
Mind

Sound Baths: How to Create One at Home 

Surrounding yourself with vibrating and overlapping sounds can be relaxing. Here’s how to create a sound bath at home.

Monica Drake reads at home with her cat.
Mind

How Access to Diverse Stories Would Have Helped Me in High School

Monica Drake shares how reading books from diverse perspectives has helped her as an adult — and imagines how they could have helped her when she was younger.

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