August 29, 2023 in Blog by Dee

Strengthening Mental Health in Summer

By: Centerstone

Summer! Many of us view it as an exciting time to go out and do activities, take vacations, and spend more time outdoors. It can be a time full of excitement and happiness depending on how we spend our time. In fact, summer is a great time to invest in lifestyle habits and support your mental health. There is science that points to summer being a time of better mental health.

How the summer affects mental health

One of the main ways the summer can help with mental health is through the sunshine. Because of the warmer weather, many of us spend more time outdoors in the summer, plus the sun is out for longer than in other seasons.

The increased sun exposure boosts our vitamin D levels, and can even improve mood, leading to better mental health. Spending time in the sun also helps your body produce more melatonin (sleep hormone) at night, allowing you to sleep better and overall feel better.

While there are some stressors unique to summer, such as feeling overwhelmed by the amount of activities and getting less sleep, it is a good time for most people’s mental health. Therefore, it is a good time to set habits and prepare for the coming months that are colder and less energizing.

Forming habits

• Set boundaries. You don’t have to say yes to every opportunity you are presented with. Seek out the activities and plans that seem the best to you and take breaks when needed.
• Set a sleep schedule. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule can help ensure you get adequate sleep. One possible way to do this is by sleeping with the sun – don’t stay up for too long once it is dark outside.
• Engage in physical activity. Improving your physical health can have great benefits on your mental health. With the warmer weather comes more opportunities for outdoor exercise and play. Set a standard for how active you are now so that you will more likely find ways to stay active moving forward.
• Have fun! Making an effort to improve your mental health intentionally is beneficial, but don’t let it get in the way of your fun. Setting rhythms, including therapy if needed, is great, but you must enjoy life too. Find a balance between responsibility and fun!

August 29, 2023 in Blog by Dee

How to Foster and Create New Friendships as an Adult

By: Centerstone

Good friends can give us a sense of purpose and support that can be hard to find on our own. Research shows that having solid friendships can benefit us by decreasing the intensity of some mental health symptoms, increasing our immunity, and helping us live longer. As we get older, personal and professional commitments can make it harder to find the time to manage current friendships and develop new ones. Lynda Killoran, Mental Health Outpatient Therapist at Centerstone, says “Some older persons tend to become more self-conscious, which can cause an increased fear of rejection. This can create a barrier to reach out, which can cause some people to not want to put themselves out there at all.”

When adults no longer have the social interactions that we naturally received from a school environment and school-based activities, it can be hard to create new social circles. Luckily, there are many options to help cultivate new friendships:

1. Take a class. Whether you have a hobby or skill you’ve loved your whole life, or there’s a new one you’ve always wanted to learn, taking classes to develop this skill is a great way to meet new people. You’ll be around like-minded people who share a common interest which can make initiating a conversation easy.
2. Volunteering is an easy way to get out in your community and make a difference, as well as develop relationships with other people who support the same cause(s) you do.
3. Join a recreational sports team. If being active is more your style, check out your city’s rec leagues! There’s nothing quite like a little bit of healthy competition to help bond a group.
4. Say yes. Sometimes, we can make great plans but feel differently when the time comes to engage. “Accept invitations to outings,” Killoran adds, “and say yes more because you never know who you could meet.”

For those who are more introverted and may feel intimidated by the idea of putting themselves out there, there are still some ways to create new friendships while still staying in your comfort zone.

1. Friends of friends. You may not have to look far for a new and meaningful friendship. Considering fostering relationships with acquaintances in your life and see where it leads.
2. Virtual groups. If you prefer a more low-key introduction, consider joining online classes or chat forums on topics that interest you. You can still be surrounded by like-minded people while also staying in the comfort of your own home.
3. Counseling. If you feel that your introversion limits your social interaction to the point of being unhealthy, you may want to speak to a licensed therapist. Group counseling may also be beneficial as it can allow for social connection without being overbearing.

Creating new friendships takes time and effort, so don’t feel discouraged if a connection isn’t formed overnight. Friendships are both important and necessary, and there is a friend out there for everyone.