Stress Archives - Healthy Minds Philly®

When the Caregiver Needs Care

The people who spend their lives caring for others are often the last to notice when they need care themselves. They can recognize burnout a mile away — in others. But when it shows up in their own reflection, they see something else entirely: failure, weakness, laziness. I was reminded of this during a recent conversation on the Healthy Minds Philly chatline. The woman who reached out was in her early sixties. She was grieving a child she’d lost four years earlier, supporting her incarcerated son’s family, and caring full-time [...]

Janine Monico2026-01-28T09:20:35-05:00January 28th, 2026|Certified Peer Specialists, Lived Experience, Stress, Suicide Prevention, Support|

When Christmas Isn’t Merry: Coping with the Holiday Blues

For many people, Christmas can be less about carols and more about the blues. The holiday season can be the “most wonderful time of the year;” but for others, Christmas can feel heavy, lonely, or even painful. It is a completely valid way to experience this time. The constant pressure to be cheerful, whether from music, advertising, or social media, can add shame, as if not liking Christmas means something is wrong with you. The truth is that for some people the holiday season can bring grief, stress, or memories [...]

Janine Monico2025-12-20T16:18:59-05:00December 20th, 2025|Awareness, Depression, Faith & Spirituality, Holidays, Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|

Nature-Based Therapy Tools for Enhancing Well-being

Connecting with nature is important for your well-being. For many of us, being in contact with nature can help us feel better. Some often report feeling better after doing activities outdoors or even when caring for plants indoors. According to the National Institute of Health, “Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being.” Nature-based therapy, also called ecotherapy, green therapy, or horticultural therapy, uses nature as a tool for healing. It is part of holistic approaches to maintain our well-being and improve our health. [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-08T15:53:31-04:00July 8th, 2025|Anxiety, Depression, Mental Health, Self-Help, Stress|

Recovery After Strokes: Ignacio’s Story

Ignacio is a 50-year-old Argentine tango dancer and instructor. He moved to Philadelphia less than two years ago from Argentina to live with his partner, Meredith. Their life together took an unexpected turn in March 2024, when he suffered a life-threatening cerebrovascular accident (CVA). The Day Everything Changed On March 9, 2024, Ignacio was at home with Meredith when he began to feel ill. He lost mobility and his gaze became blurred. After emergency services arrived, Ignacio was transferred to Temple University Hospital, where his life was saved with an [...]

Janine Monico2025-05-20T09:46:25-04:00May 20th, 2025|Awareness, Lived Experience, Stress|