Aleah Reaves

Life presents us with many situations in which future outcomes matter but are unknown, or where it’s likely that things won’t go your way. Where uncertainty reigns, or in situations where you or your loved ones might be at risk in one way or another, it can make us worried and anxious. Anxiety isn’t a bad thing; in fact, anxiety can be a good thing. However, anxiety can become an obstacle to your well-being and sense of flourishing. Anxiety

Most of us deal with anxiety on some level during our lives. In the past, anxiety helped with the fight-or-flight response to keep our ancestors safe during perilous times. It is ingrained in us. Fast forward to today, and we face anxious thoughts and situations instead of dangerous life-and-death circumstances. Still, our minds work the same way, flooding our bloodstream with cortisol and adrenaline and revving up anxiety. The symptoms of anxiety can be scary and interfere with daily

In the modern world, processing and understanding trauma can be daunting. Anxiety and trauma are often linked inextricably, and healing both can take time and support. What is trauma? What is anxiety? Trauma is, at its most basic level, a psychological response to distressing events. Trauma is linked to emotional disturbances, physical symptoms, and psychological manifestations. Trauma is an individualistic response and can play out differently for each of us. Anxiety is a persistent feeling of worry, fear, or unease

In this article, we’ll consider the different categories of trauma. After all, not all “hurt” is created equal. Most of the hurt of living in this world is temporary, passing without any lasting impact. We don’t remember every stubbed toe, every harsh word spoken to us, and the like. We do tend to remember those times of hurt that rise to the level when some actual damage occurs, an injury from which it takes a bit longer to recover and

Sometimes it’s easy to be critical of ourselves. This criticism can often spill over into our spiritual and mental health, as well. We might compare ourselves to our role models or become fixated on certain habitual sins. At times, we may get so obsessed with our imperfections that we start to lose sight of the amazing gift of salvation that Jesus Christ has given us through His death on the cross. My prayer is that through this article, you will

“Because separation is a clearcut and undeniable event, its effects on the child and the parent-child relationship were easier to document than more subtle influences of parental and familial interaction.” – Inge Bretherton reporting on John Bowlby and Mary Ainsworth’s work with Attachment Theory As the quote above suggests, to experience abandonment implies a separation, specifically in the parent-child relationship, that is clear-cut and undeniable. To be abandoned leaves a specific kind of mark on the soul which points

Attention deficit disorder hyperactivity (ADHD) is a disorder that affects the person’s brain, affecting their ability to concentrate and keep focused for long periods. This lack of focus can intrude on every area of a person’s life and is not only difficult for children but also for adults. Because it’s not as widely known in adults as it is in children, there can be a stigma attached to adults who believe they have the disorder but have not been officially

You would do anything for your children. Walk over hot coals? Check. Drive an hour one way to a ball game? Check. Stay by their side through the flu? Check. However, the symptoms of depression in teens can be subtle. Depression is not something that you can take from your child and shoulder the burden, as much as you may want to. Instead, it will be helpful if you are aware of the symptoms of depression in teens so

The world we live in is a broken one. That brokenness manifests itself in diverse ways, from relationships mired in conflict, rifts between loved ones, having those you love taken from you by illness or some other calamity, and so on. There is much weeping and sorrow that accompanies our sojourn. Scripture reflects this reality and gives us the language to process our experiences and grieve the various losses we go through. In this article, we’ll consider some encouragement

According to a study of 1000 participants, around 77% of people experience employee burnout at their current workplace. Employee burnout is common and causes many physical, mental, and emotional problems. How can you tell if you are in burnout, and what can you do? Employee Burnout Symptoms Employee burnout can happen to anyone. You may enjoy your job, but due to employee shortages, new contracts, tighter deadlines, or management changes, the stress is unbearable. Combine workplace burnout with other

Loyalty and trust are the bedrock of relationships, particularly marital relationships. When that is broken there is a lot of fear, anxiety, and sorrow to work through. Talking about infidelity is hard. It involves painful emotions and complicated situations. Often it comes with wondering about the inverse. Even fidelity and infidelity have a spectrum. Understanding how to be a faithful partner involves more than just not having an affair outside of your marriage. What is fidelity? Fidelity is the

The holidays are often portrayed as a time for family gatherings, festive meals, and a sense of togetherness. But for some of us, this season can highlight feelings of anxiety brought on by loneliness, especially if circumstances leave us without loved ones nearby. If you are spending the holidays alone or you're battling with loneliness and anxiety, remember this: you are never truly alone. God is always with you, and He can use this time to fill your heart