Kate Motaung

The holidays bring a string of values and emotions to many: thanksgiving, love, kindness, generosity, and wonder. But, unfortunately, to some, it also brings stress in the form of financial budgets, gift-giving, and unavoidable toxic extended family members. Your mental wellness is an integral part of your overall health. Yet, people spend three months in a stressful fight or flight response to the holidays every year. Make this season different. Enjoy the holidays for the real reason we celebrate:

If you have been around friends who attend church regularly or you grew up in a Christian environment, you may have heard the phrase “take every thought captive” before. To apply this to everyday life, it’s important to know what it means, how to do it, and why to do it. What does it mean to take every thought captive? The phrase originates from Paul’s second letter to the church in Corinth. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion

Stress affects everyone. Daily stressors are a fact of life, and some pressure can be good. However, when you experience high levels of mental stress for prolonged periods, it can cause exhaustion and burnout. The symptoms of mental stress. The symptoms of mental stress are similar to other mental health conditions. You may want to consult a therapist to rule out other disorders and learn strategies to ease mental fatigue. Symptoms include: Sensations of dread and hopelessness. Feeling overwhelmed

Social anxiety can make life challenging. Everyday activities become a struggle. You may not be able to shop inside stores anymore, attend social events, or even spend time with friends. Social interactions are no longer straightforward when your heart and mind race and you worry about how to interact with others or what they think about you. Holiday shopping becomes relegated to online only because you no longer want to deal with the anxiety and the panic. The symptoms of

When you experience something that is disappointing, have you struggled with how to handle disappointment? Do you get mad? Do the tears flow? Do you take it out on the people around you? Maybe retreat and isolate yourself? There are plenty of ways to react to disappointment. But you don’t need to stay in that place of reaction. Instead, you can learn how to handle disappointment in ways that are helpful instead of destructive. No one is a stranger

God did not design us to live in isolation without connections to others. That is why it is important to help your child attain secure attachment in their development. Learning how to foster those attachments can create a sense of belonging in your child. It can also help them develop a positive mindset about themselves. One of the most influential attachments children make is those with their parents. Attachment parenting is the term that is commonly used to describe

Our society seems only to accept the “go-go-go” mentality. We rush to make ends meet, to make money, and to stay ahead of the game. But eventually, chronic stress takes a toll and causes physical issues. Mental exhaustion can also result from trying to do too much too fast, taking on more than you can handle. However, there are things you can do to prevent mental exhaustion and allow yourself time to recover. What are the symptoms of mental exhaustion?

Today I want to talk about a topic that is the cornerstone of the Christian faith: forgiveness. In my time as a mental health counselor, I’ve found the topic of forgiveness to often be either misunderstood, undervalued, or flat out triggering in some cases. In this article, I will share what forgiveness is and what it isn’t. I also want to discuss how forgiveness is transformative to our hearts, the wounds we carry, and our relationships. This is a complex

In many of our favorite scenes in blockbuster films and scripts in books, we cheer for the underdog. Wherever we encounter someone who is downtrodden or suffering abandonment, we find ourselves shouting from the sidelines of our seats and sofas, hoping for the win. The Bible outlines the blueprint for the narrative of champions. We rise and fall with each plot twist and page turn. We encounter them in the countless stories that convey hope and inspire resilience in

Do you feel lonely during the holidays? The time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day is often a reflection time, reflecting on memories and recreating traditions. But when you are alone, it can quickly feel like a dark cloud is descending on you. However, there are things you can do to counteract feeling lonely during the holidays and enjoy the Christmas season. Expectations and loneliness. Expectations can be the catalyst of loneliness. For example, when you expect the holidays

Therese and Steven are a young couple that’s been happily married for three and a half years, but the past six months have been quite difficult. Therese’s job has steadily required more from her, especially as her company had to downsize during the pandemic and they aren’t able to hire new people just yet. She’s often home quite late, and leaves early to get her day started. When she’s home, she feels tired and finds it hard to go

Depression comes in many forms. It can be caused by brain circuitry, an imbalance of brain chemicals, trauma, uncontrollable life events, genetics, or family history. What depression feels like is a persistent sadness that envelops you and alters your thoughts and emotions. It leaves you fatigued and often isolated. Depression is diagnosed by professionals using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5), 5th Edition from the American Psychiatric Association. A licensed mental health care provider reviews assessments,