When we think of the iconic story, “The Gift of the Magi”, we think of gifts that embody quality over quantity, meaning the value is based on thought over any amount of expenditure. In fact, the idea of giving a gift based on thought versus cost has some research to back it. Humans may actually be wired to be overly generous and that proclivity can actually confer a large survival advantage.

January is often a challenging month. We’re getting over the holiday rush, moving back into our regular routines, tightening up finances after splurging over the holidays, while also trying to stick to self-inflicted New Year’s goals. In addition, with the poor weather including snowstorms and dropper temperatures, it’s easy for our thoughts and hopes to turn to getting away to some place warm.

There are those experiencing marginalization/discrimination, racism, inequality, homelessness, mental illness, poverty and other challenges that continue through the holidays. Even if you don’t find yourself falling into one of these categories, everyone has their own stressors to contend with.

As daylight savings time has come to an end and we approach the winter, the hours of available sunlight have rapidly declined. As the days get darker, it is common for individuals to struggle to maintain a positive outlook. The “winter blues” are common and some individuals may even experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). Whether you have the winter blues or SAD, symptoms tend to start in the fall and continue through winter, where individuals might experience mood swings, lack of energy, and increased levels of fatigue.

During the depths of winter it’s easy to find reasons to Netflix and chill rather than get out and about. That being said, if you find yourself crying, wanting to sleep more often than not and finding it difficult to get out of the house and go to work during the winter months, you may be experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

Validation is confirmation or affirmation that someone’s feelings are valid and worthwhile. Validation can be received through external or internal validation. Through messages over social media, television, podcasts, music and other avenues, validation is discussed and promoted as needed by everyone. So what is validation?

Moving past a breakup isn’t easy, however, it’s important to your health and well-being. There are also some ways that have been proven to support individuals in recovering from a breakup.

Here are some tips on how to push ourselves to do what we need to do.

Let’s be real, the first dates can be awkward. We’ve got you covered with on how to navigate your way through them.

Getting a good night’s sleep is a crucial part of achieving mental and physical help. Here are some dos and don’t to help you sleep like a baby!