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Hope in the Midst of Grief
In recent years, weighted blankets have become a thing. I had my first encounter with one over the holidays when visiting family members. While reclining in a chair, my sister-in-law laid the blanket on me like a mantle and I claimed it for the rest of my stay there....
Separating Work and Home
A lot of things about our daily lives are changing because of the Stay at Home order in Illinois. For many who have always gone into an office to work, they are now being asked to work from home.That is not always an easy transition. We have gotten into a daily rhythm...
A Strange Time
This is a strange time that we are living in! Social distancing, restaurant and businesses temporarily closed, and clorox wipes that are nowhere to be seen has left me singing to myself “It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I feel fineee.” The moment that...
Staying Sane During Quarantine
Feeling a little anxious about this quarantine/social-distancing? Us, too. By a strange and scary turn of events, it’s looking like most (if not all) of us are going to be facing a lot of abrupt changes and uncertainty, including an increasing push for social...
Quarantine Fun & Resources: COVID-19
Quarantine Fun & Resources: COVID-19 In light of the COVID-19 quarantine, many organizations are offering special services to help people stay well and connected to the outside world. One of our therapists here at Optimum Joy thought it would be a great idea to...
Imposter Syndrome is Real
I often experienced myself as an imposter. When our family moved to the United States, I struggled with navigating a new culture. I didn’t speak English and often relied on my peers to assist with translating and navigating through school. I remember my first day at...
Thought Traps: The Common Traps of Cognitive Distortions
Have you ever walked into a room and noticed a couple of people whispering, and were sure that they are talking about you? Have you ever had a work review or grade with one comment that’s negative, and found that that’s the one you dwell on, even if the other comments...
Interracial and Cross-Cultural Relationships
Once shunned in human history, interracial/cross cultural dating now seems to be the way of the future. We even have a holiday to celebrate interracial love called Loving Day. Loving Day is an annual celebration held on June 12, the anniversary of the 1967 United...
Maladaptive Thoughts: Lies Your Brain Spin
Do you see the glass half empty or half full? This is a probing question that we often use in our society to simply gauge if you have a negative (empty) or a positive (full) outlook on life. I think about my own experience as a child and learning the definition of...
What Not to Say to People Suffering from Mental Illness
The percentage of people suffering from mental health illnesses are on the rise. There are probably a few people in your life that you know are suffering from some sort of mental health issue. Sometimes, it can be confusing or hard to know what to say to them, or if...