Happiness Is a State of Mind

Insights on Wellness and Recovery.

Kristen Fuller, M.D.

National School Walk Out: Ditch Day or Freedom of Speech?

On Wednesday, March 14, 2018, hundreds of thousands of elementary, junior high and high school students walked out of their classrooms in a protest to symbolize gun violence.

Spring Cleaning Your Relationships: Re-Assessing Friendships

"There comes a time when you have to stop jumping oceans for people who wouldn't jump puddles for you."

Mindfulness: Just Another Health Crazed Fad?

Mindfulness is sadly being used as a substitute to treat real, physical pain; especially in women who are known to underreport pain. Being present does not take away somatic pain.

Checking into Heartbreak Motel: Broken Heart Syndrome

"The best way to heal a broken heart, it turns out, is to find a way to move past the hurt". -Mary Kay Andrews

Weight Watchers Targeting Teens to Lose Weight

“Sexy is not a size, every calorie is not a war, your body is not a battleground. Your value is not measured in pounds."

Therapist's Corner: When to Refer for Eating Disorders

Avoidance of talking about the food component is avoidance of what is needed to fully recover.

Valentine's Day: The Real Truth Behind the Hearts and Candy

Ironically, the history of Valentine’s Day isn’t exactly romantic; in fact, this lovesick holiday has some very dark and twisted history.

Volunteering: The Most Humbling Selfish Act of Kindness

“Remember that the happiest people are not those getting more, but those giving more.” ― H. Jackson Brown Jr.

6 Tips to Practice on a First Date

"Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love"—Mother Teresa

How to Talk to Your Children About Food in a Healthy Manner

The goal is a positive, open-minded approach, while giving kids options to choose their own food and to learn the nutritious value of what they eat.

Are We Allowing Social Media to Dictate Our Happiness?

“A fixation with connecting with 'friends' online comes with the risk of disconnection with friends waiting for you to be present in the offline world.”

How a Man's Best Friend Is More Than Just a Companion

Dog therapy may make the world a better place, one lick at a time.

How Practicing Humility Can Help Your Love Life

In terms of dating and relationships, there is a lid that fits every pot and it is easier to find the lid for your pot if you’re not blowing off every lid with steam and arrogance.

Overcoming the Stressors and Anxiety of the Holiday Season

Blessed is the season, which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. -- Hamilton Wright Mabie

Practicing Empathy in the Dating World: A Long-Lost Skill

On the romance merry-go-round, many people will keep others in their lives until they find the next best thing, while others may choose to "ghost" last night's date.

Pushing Forward by Not Living in Fear After a Violent Attack

How do we, as humans, process fear after a violent attack while overcoming the obstacles of terror and loss through the power of resilience and compassion?

Why Do We Need Friends? Six Benefits of Healthy Friendships

True friends:"Lots of people will want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will ride with you in the bus when the limo breaks down"—Oprah Winfrey

How to Leave a Toxic Relationship and Still Love Yourself

"I am leaving you for me. Whether I am incomplete or you are incomplete is irrelevant. Relationships can only be built with two wholes..."

Breaking Down Relationship Roadblocks to Live a Happier Life

Learning to thrive in a relationship can be challenging, but we must go back to the basics of human compassion and selflessness.

Understanding Anxiety From a Different Perspective

As healthcare professionals, are we treating anxiety through rose-colored glasses? Explore alternative treatment perspectives to help relieve symptoms of anxiety in everyday life.

How to Recognize Toxic Individuals and Toxic Relationships

Have you ever questioned if you are in a toxic friendship or toxic romantic relationship? Do you feel beaten down by individuals who say they care about you? Learn the red flags!

Will "To the Bone" Trigger Eating Disorders?

Netflix did it again, first with their release of 13 Reasons Why and now with their soon to be released To the Bone, raising controversy among mental health professionals.

Drunkorexia and the Rise of “Rexias” in Disordered Eating

Excessive drinking, clean eating and food restriction are all known to contribute to poor body image, low self-esteem and worst of all; eating disorders.

Trading in Celiac Disease for an Eating Disorder

The billion dollar "gluten-free" diet fad may be causing more harm to your mental health than you realize as we trade in gluten in exchange for disordered eating.

How Mother Nature Became My Therapy

Escaping into nature can help us recover from our depression and anxiety while simultaneously allowing us to be free. "The mountains are calling and I must go..." -John Muir.

A True Story of Living With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

The trials and tribulations associated with living with obsessive-compulsive disorder and how art therapy can be a successful approach for this mental health disorder.

Eating Disorders: It’s Not All About Food

We often think if we lose those ten pounds, gain muscle or adopt that healthy skin glow then we will feel better to only soon realize our self-esteem is still in the gutter.