Tag: mental health

Best strategies for conflict resolution!

Today we celebrated Conflict Resolution Day by talking about the 5 C’s of conflict resolution, and we also shared the best strategies for most common situations.

Here are the 5 C’s of Conflict Resolution:

  1. Calmness
  2. Clear Communication
  3. Clarification
  4. Collaboration
  5. Compromise

Here are some of the best strategies in common situations:

1. Workplace Conflict

  • Address issues early before they escalate.
  • Stay professional and focus on behavior, not personality.
  • Use “I” statements (“I felt…”) rather than accusatory language.
  • Listen actively and clarify misunderstandings.
  • Involve HR or a mediator if needed.
  • Aim for collaborative solutions (win-win).

2. Romantic Relationships

  • Stay calm; don’t try to resolve things in the heat of anger.
  • Express feelings honestly without blame.
  • Listen with empathy and validate their perspective.
  • Focus on solving the issue, not “winning” the argument.
  • Set boundaries and revisit them if needed.
  • Consider couples counseling if conflicts are recurring or intense.

3. Family Disputes

  • Be respectful and patient, especially with older or younger family members.
  • Avoid bringing up old grievances unless necessary to resolve the current issue.
  • Establish clear communication rules (e.g., no yelling, interrupting).
  • Take breaks if emotions get too high.
  • Sometimes, agreeing to disagree is the most peaceful resolution.
  • For serious issues, involve a family therapist or neutral third party.

 4. Friend Conflicts

  • Talk in person or over a call, not text.
  • Be honest but kind—assume positive intent.
  • Let your friend share their side without interruption.
  • Apologize sincerely if you were in the wrong.
  • Don’t let pride get in the way of mending the friendship.

5. Online or Social Media Conflicts

  • Don’t engage when emotions are high—pause before replying.
  • Move the conversation offline if it’s meaningful.
  • Use empathy and facts, not sarcasm or insults.
  • Know when to disengage—not every comment needs a response.
  • Set boundaries or block/report if harassed.
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Do you want to simplify your life? Check out this blog!

Today, The Morning Thing shared some small ways to make life simpler. These tips are from The Positivity Blog. They remind us that life does NOT have to be so hard.

See the full list of 23 small ways to make life simpler HERE.

Here are some of our favorites:

1. Breathe.

When stressed, lost in a problem (or a mistake) or the past or future in your mind breathe with your belly for two minutes and just focus on the air going in and out.

These deep breaths will calm your body down and bring your mind back into the present moment again.

2. Do one thing at a time.

You’ll get better results and feel better and less stressed while doing those things.

3. Write it all down.

Use your mind for better things than remembering what to do. And the mind is often like a leaky bucket.

So write down all your great ideas, insights and thoughts before they go missing somewhere and add what you need to do to a to-do list.

4. Stop trying to do things perfectly. 

It will only get you stuck and drain your self-esteem.

Go for good enough instead and when you are there you are done. Get things all the way to done this way and then move on to the next thing.

5. Pack your bag before you go to bed.

Then you don’t have to get stressed out by that in morning and you are less likely to forget something.

6. Ask yourself simplifying questions every day.

Questions like:

  • What is the most important thing I can do right now?
  • What is one small step I can take to simplify this situation?

7. Keep everything in its place.

If everything has its own place then it is whole lot easier to keep your home reasonably ordered and decluttered from day to day.

This also helps you with your inner stillness as the outer environment affects how you feel on the inside.

8. Write shorter emails.

I tend to write emails containing only a few sentences, usually between one and five. If you focus on keeping it short and focused then you’ll probably discover that this is a good solution in most cases.

9. Ask instead of guessing.

Reading minds is hard. So, instead ask questions and communicate.

This will help you to minimize unnecessary conflicts, misunderstandings, negativity and waste of time and energy.

10. Check everything just once a day.

I check my email inboxes, blog statistics, my online earnings, Twitter and Facebook just once a day.

I combine all that checking into one small daily ritual at the end of my workday so I don’t slip and go checking it more during the day and waste my energy and attention.

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Behavioral Health Care Partners of Central Ohio Preparing for a New Extension

Click HERE to Hear the Full Conversation!

Dr. Kate St. James talks about her role as President and CEO of Behavioral Health Care Partners of Central Ohio. She has been with the group for 8 years and she helps determine how they move forward with serving the community. She talks about the organization’s mission to improve and save lives of those who are experiencing challenges with mental health or addiction.

Kate talks about the organization wanting to build an 18,000 square foot extension within the next year with a $5.8 million dollar fundraising goal. She adds that they have already raised 80% of the goal. The Ariel Foundation has promised a matching gift up to $100,000. She talks about how someone can donate at bhcpartners.org

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The Morning Thing is celebrating National Gratitude Month. What are you grateful for today?

We have turned the calendar to new month! November is a special month on our calendar as we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving.
You don’t have to wait until 11/28 to be thankful. You can show gratitude today!

National Gratitude Month began in 2015, thanks to Stacey Grewal, an author and inspirational speaker. She wanted a dedicated time to focus on gratitude, which led to the month-long celebration every November. Click HERE to read more about how this special emphasis started.

DaysoftheYear.com shares some ideas on to celebrate.

How to Celebrate National Gratitude Month

Start a Gratitude Journal

Grab a notebook and start jotting down three things you appreciate every day. It can be anything from your cozy slippers to a delicious slice of pie.

Flipping through these notes later will remind you of all the wonderful moments you’ve had.

Send Thank-You Notes

Handwrite thank-you notes to friends, family, or colleagues. Imagine the surprise when they find a heartfelt note in their mailbox!

This small gesture can brighten someone’s day and strengthen your connections.

Create a Gratitude Jar

Find an empty jar and decorate it with stickers and ribbons. Every day, write down something you’re thankful for on a slip of paper and drop it in. At the end of the month, read all the slips and relive the joy.

Host a Gratitude Party

Invite friends over for a gratitude-themed party. Ask everyone to share something they’re grateful for. Add fun activities like making gratitude crafts or sharing thank-you cards.

This party will leave everyone feeling appreciated and uplifted.

Volunteer in Your Community

Spare some time to volunteer at a local charity or community center. Helping others can boost your gratitude.

Whether it’s serving meals, cleaning up a park, or mentoring kids, your efforts will make a difference.

How will you celebrate gratitude today? Let us know at wnzr@mvnu.edu

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Parental Stress has been declared a significant public health issue. How will you fight it?

The US Surgeon General has declared Parental stress as a significant public health issue. Dr. Vivek Murthy recently released a 36 page advisory on this important issue.
Click HERE to read more.

Dr. Murthy says that we need a culture shift. The advisory says: “It’s time to value and respect time spent parenting on par with time spent working at a paying job, recognizing the critical importance to society of raising children.” Parents and caregivers need societal support and to be able to talk openly about the stress of parenting. Like an earlier surgeon general’s advisory, it says more connection is needed to combat loneliness and isolation among parents.

“The bottom line is that we’ve got to start seeing mental health as health. It is no less important than our physical health,” Murthy said Wednesday. “If we can attend to both our mental and physical health, then we have a good chance, you know, of being happy, healthy and fulfilled, and that’s what we all want for ourselves and especially for our kids.”

The Morning Thing shared some ways for Moms and Dads to fight stress.

For Moms, we shared 5 shifts in focus that can help alleviate Mom Stress.
Click HERE to read the full article from imom.com
1. Focus on your breathing.

2. Focus on your inner critic.

3. Focus on what brings you comfort.

4. Focus on forgiving yourself.

5. Focus on what you can control.

For Dads, we shared 5 ways to address fatherhood stress.
Click HERE to read the full article from allprodad.com
1. Start the day early.

2. Write daily goals and journal.

3. Get active.

4. Find moments to read.

5. Connect with other dads.

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How is your mental health today?

Did you know that May is Mental Health Awareness Month? Today, the Morning Thing shared some insight from Crosswalk.com– 10 ways that we can improve our mental health.

Click HERE to read the full article

  1. Pray
  2. Journal
  3. Lean on your community
  4. Eat well
  5. Read your bible
  6. Practice gratitude
  7. Exercise reguarly
  8. Practice your spiritual gifts
  9. Rest
  10. See a Doctor

Wherever you are today, please remember that God loves you (John 3:16) and has a plan for your life.

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    Feeling down? Improve your mental health with some good daily habits

    October 10th is World Mental Health Day, so today we wanted to share some advice with you about boosting your mental health.

    Caring for your mental health can lead to an improved mood, reduced anxiety, clearer thinking, deeper relationships, and improved self-esteem and confidence. Mental health is something that effects everyone, so make sure you are taking care of yourself.

    To boost your mental health, Healthline.com suggests that you get good sleep, cut back on social media, strengthen your relationships, move your body (on your own terms), enjoy some nutrient-rich foods, know when to take it easy, make time for rest, and get some sunshine.

    Click HERE to read the full article from Healthline.

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    Let’s Cultivate Gratitude!

    It can be a difficult thing to do, but its not necessarily about trying to stay positive all the time. Instead, its more about trying to pull the good from the situations and circumstances of every day life. If we do this, we can find that there is a lot in life to be thankful for! God calls for us to count our blessings, so lets try and find some good to be thankful for. How can we do this? Well, our cohosts found a few great ways to get started in your journey of cultivating a gratitude practice!

    Here are a few examples of how to practice gratitude!

    KEEP A GRATITUDE JOURNAL.

    Studies show that keeping a gratitude journal can have positive psychological and physiological effects. There are a variety of ways to build this practice, including:

    • Try the “three good things” exercise where you keep a daily record of three good things for which you are grateful.
    • Start a “G.L.A.D.” practice. G.L.A.D. is an acronym for Gratitude, Learned, Accomplished, Delight. It’s about finding joy and balance by paying attention to certain aspects of daily life that frequently go unnoticed.

    WRITE THANK-YOU NOTES.

    Make your gratitude practice social by writing and sending thank you letters to someone who has done something for you. (Note: emails and even texts count.) Studies show that this act can strengthen relationships, help people to appreciate what they’ve received in life, and feel like they’ve given something back to those who have helped them.

    Click HERE for the full list from the John Hopkins University blog.

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    The Dos and Don’ts of supporting someone with mental illness

    Today, The Morning Thing approached a difficult, but important topic – mental illness. If you know and love someone that struggles with this issue, it can be difficult to know what to say, how to react or what you should not do as you try to encourage them.

    Below, we share a list of Dos and Don’ts when you want to provide that support.
    Click HERE to access the full article from the Providence Center.

    For our Friday Favorites today, The Morning Thing hosts shared their favorite bible verses to offer encouragement to anyone struggling with mental health. Click HERE to be encouraged by these powerful verses of hope!

    Here are some dos and don’ts for supporting someone close to you suffering from mental illness:

    DO Listen with an open mind

    Let them know they’re not alone and tell them they have your unconditional love and support. Be available to listen…really listen, without judgment. 

    DON’T Make comments such as “You’re fine” or “Cheer up”

    Although you may think you’re being helpful, comments like these can make someone feel criticized and humiliated for feeling the way they do. Their condition is serious and likely cannot be brushed off. Try your best to make them feel comfortable and secure in sharing their emotions.

    DO Ask Questions

    Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your friend doesn’t expect you to already understand what they’re going through. Respectfully ask about their symptoms and how they are feeling. They may not want to give you all the answers, but that’s okay; they’ll know you care simply because you took the time to ask.

    DON’T Say you know how they feel if you don’t

    While you may experience periods of sadness, refrain from comparing those feelings to their current situation. Although it is nice to have someone to relate to, drawing comparisons may make them feel as if the reality of their situation is being minimized.

    DO Encourage them to seek help

    Find out if the person is receiving the necessary care. If not, offer to help get them the help they need. They may refuse to seek help and even get angry with you. It is important to remind them that mental health problems are treatable and they don’t have to feel this way forever. For more information, visit: https://www.mentalhealth.gov/talk/friends-family-members/ 

    DON’T Question their medical decisions

    For most people with mental health disorders, taking medicine is a big step and can be scary. Today there is still a stigma surrounding the medical treatment for these conditions. However, there are a variety of drugs that can really help patients feel like themselves again. So, be patient, supportive and, most importantly, non-judgmental as your loved one finds the medication that suits their specific needs.

    DO Help out with daily tasks

    Living with a mental health issue can make simple, everyday tasks extremely difficult to accomplish. Getting out of bed can feel like a chore. Wondering what you can do to help? Grab the mail, wash a few dishes, or take out the garbage. Any small act of kindness can really help and will be appreciated. 

    DON’T Pressure them to “stay busy”

    You may think a day trip or a night out will take your loved one’s mind off their issue. Do not hesitate to invite them to such social events, but also don’t expect that they will accept the invitation. Whatever they may be dealing with is not easily solved by kicking back and relaxing to snap out of a bad mood. Keep this in mind and trust that their decision to not take part is the right decision for them.

    DO Be Patient

    You may feel like they’ve pushed you away, and maybe they have. Those suffering from mental illness tend to distance themselves from their loved ones, not because they dislike your company, but because they feel like a burden. Don’t pressure them to spend more time with you or to talk about their problems. As frustrating as it may be trying to help someone who does not seem to appreciate you, don’t give up on them.   

    DON’T Take it personally

    Remember that what they’re going through is not about you and is not your fault. Give them all your love and don’t expect anything in return because they may not be able to give it to you. Whether you think so or not, they need you now more than ever.


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    It is World Mental Health Day. How are you doing today?

    Today, The Morning Thing focused on the topic of Mental Health. This is an important topic for all of us.

    1 in 4 people will experience some kind of mental health problem during their lifetime and many more will see friends or family members who are affected. Yet, mental health is one of the most neglected forms of health in the world today. Almost one billion people are living with a mental health disorder right now and millions of people die each year from the impact that mental health has had on them.

    World Mental Health Day was established in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health. The purpose of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues, increase education on the topic and attempt to eliminate the stigma attached. It is hoped that this, in turn, will encourage sufferers to seek out help and support.
    Click HERE to read more about the history of this important day, important facts about mental health, plus tips on how to maintain good mental health from daysoftheyear.com

    The Morning Thing also focused on Resting in this Busy World. We believe that the frantic pace of today’s world can have an impact on our mental health.

    We shared 5 encouraging tips on how to find time to rest, in a world that moves at such an unsustainable pace. Click HERE to read more from youversion.com

    Scripture encourages us to pause and turn to God.

    1. Find your why
    2. Schedule it on your calendar
    3. Give yourself something to look forward to
    4. Don’t do it alone
    5. Be relentless

    Matthew 11:28 – 29 (NIV) Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

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