The Hard Stuff

Anyone who has struggled with mental illness knows it's not easy. It can also be very difficult to talk about because of the stigma and shaming that can often come with it. Most people don't understand what can happen or how their loved ones really feel. That is unless they have experienced it themselves. This is one reason why so many try to hide their affliction and even completely turn away from everyone they love. Obviously, that is not the best course of action for relief and true help. Here are 4 important actions when mental illness strikes.

No woman enjoys that doubt in the back of her mind that her relationship is falling apart. Unfortunately, this happens a lot and doesn't always mean a breakup. You should know, though, staying in a relationship that isn’t right for you for way too long can be miserable and unproductive. Some women continue to work on their relationship because they believe their partner will change.When these women find out that they ultimately won't, they may feel like they wasted their time. It may be beneficial to know for sure if we are unhappy with who we chose early on in the relationship. This type of awareness helps to make good decisions that serve you at all stages. To get you thinking, here are 4 major signs that your relationship is in big trouble.

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Life is never simply a walk in the park. Obstacles and challenges make us duck, dodge, and dance our way through. And, sometimes, despite our effort to avoid adversity, disaster strikes. When it happens, it can create a lack of self-confidence, among other personal problems. Trust me, I understand getting kicked in the teeth and thrown to the ground of life. At times, the only thing you have to hold onto is a thin thread. That said, even a small connection to life and your inner strength can get you through. Remember, being down is never the end as long as you get back up after adversity strikes.

Making the decision to end any relationship shouldn’t be done on a whim or in anger. And, if you find yourself on the receiving end of being unceremoniously dumped, you should consider what led up to it. If it was in the heat of the moment after an emotional throw down, you may want to step back and reflect before throwing the towel in. At this point, you may be asking yourself this: Is my relationship worth fighting for? Only you can answer that question, but here are some tips to navigating the tough road.

When we are young, many of us make the mistake of engaging in reckless behavior without considering the consequences. Been there-done that. For the most part, adolescent mischief doesn't end in disaster- except when these behaviors cross over into adulthood. One example of this is smoking cigarettes. In teenage years, smoking has a certain allure - it is rebellious and cool. This wasn't helped by the huge number of marketing campaigns that in the past, used smoking to help sell a product.

You get the news: you are pregnant after dating someone for a month? It can happen, and it does, more than you probably know. "How did this happen," you painfully wonder. Well, obviously you took a chance and had sex without protection. Regardless of the reason behind your passion misstep, you need to make some decisions and make them fast. The question: how do you handle this situation with the guy you hardly know? Here is a quick overview of what you need to consider.

Everybody has bad habits. Some people enjoy a cigarette after lunch. Others keep a messy desk. And some need drugs or alcohol to get through the day. While some bad habits can annoy your coworkers, others can isolate you from your friends and family and even destroy your mental health. Some can kill you. These are the type of habits you want to get rid of as soon as possible: the addictions. If you think you might have a problem with any of these, it’s time to make some changes. Here are 3 things you can do to help end destructive bad habits for good.

Perhaps you’ve been unhappy for a while, or maybe in the midst of a heated argument, you caught yourself imagining what life would be like with someone else. You precariously utter those 4 words: "I want a divorce." Maybe you meant them, maybe you didn’t, but now you opened that door you hoped would always stay closed.

You've lived through the warning signs that your marriage is in trouble. You're done snapping at each other and being miserable. It's time to make a new plan. But, you ask yourself, "Where did things go wrong" in an attempt to understand. The thing is, marriages and long-term relationships tend to go downhill over the course of time, so it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly when the decline started. However, when you do acknowledge that things are just not working well, and you've done all that you can, it's time to consider ended things. Here are 3 things you can do to stay emotionally healthy before and during a divorce.

In our youth, we're often told that we only live once. "Live life to the fullest!" they scream. Though these cliches for enjoying life are fun to embrace at the time, ultimately, they do more harm than good. Living a life full of exciting experiences and interesting adventures is one thing, but taking it to an extreme steals the very life you're trying to live. This one body you have is your ride for life. Cherish it. The alternative is sickness, disease, pain, and possibly dying young. My mom died when she was only 59 because of the things I'm about to share with you. Yeah, it's that real...and that important. You might want to ask yourself this: "Is my lifestyle killing me?".

To most, the idea of living with a chronic health condition is terrifying and with good reason. Getting a diagnosis that is there to stay can bring on some strong emotions, stress, and physical signs that change your life. When they told me I had MS (Multiple Sclerosis) I went through days and weeks of fear, anger, and frustration. On one hand, I pressed myself for the reasons it was happening and, at the same time, I searched desperately for the guts to fight it.

There’s nothing better than having a glass of something strong to relax you on a Friday night. It’s harmless, right? Maybe so, but it can lead to something much worse. Alcoholism is a harmful, dangerous disease. If you suspect one of your friends is going down that path, it’s crucial you act fast to stop the spiraling. Before you can act, you need to be sure your suspicions are right. Don’t fall out with your friend by jumping to the wrong conclusions. Some people drink more than others, and it can be hard to detect when there’s a problem. Here are some signs you should look out for if you’re worried that your friend might have a drinking problem.

There are few things in life more painful than watching the suffering of someone you love. Even worse, if you don't have the tools or information to help, you feel lost. Sometimes, you can do nothing but watch him or her drift away from you. If you've ever had extreme challenges, you know it can be difficult to ask for help or even admit that there is something wrong. So, how do you support a hurting loved one without creating a wedge or resentment? Even if it seems hopeless, there are things that you can do. Here are a few ways to help and support a loved one in need.

Many of us enjoy drinking now and then, but what happens when drinking becomes excessive or even an addiction? Addictions are characterized by a compulsion to do something, even when you know it’s not good for you. Has that social drink on a Friday evening become a daily event? Do you find that you turn to alcohol if you’ve had a bad day or you’re feeling down? Do you crave alcohol or feel like you need it? Are you desperate to drink even when you feel hungover, tired or run down?