Austin pet loss support When life gets tough, it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one struggling. However, feeling isolated or believing that no one can help you is not just emotionally painful. It’s a significant risk factor for developing conditions like acute stress disorder or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This highlights just how important it is to reach out and connect with others when we’re going through difficult times. Human beings are wired for connectio

Thanksgiving is here, and it can be a psychologically and emotionally complex holiday for many. You may feel an array of emotions including loneliness, grief, joy, envy, guilt, and even anxiety. One thing is certain, the holidays bring stress (even if the stress is anticipation and excitement). Consider implementing three self-care practices today. First, practice abdominal breathing. Inhale slowly through your nose as your belly expands and exhale slowly through your mouth a

Find inner peace through meditation with your best friend. Practicing mindfulness by focusing on your senses, allowing your dog to serve as an anchor to the present moment, can reduce stress and help you feel calmer and more grounded. When you’re feeling tired, overwhelmed, stressed or flustered you can use this meditation to connect to more grounded, peaceful and centered states of being. Don’t worry about doing this perfectly. The key is to bring present moment awareness to

A Lesson from My Dog The Morning Walk I was in my mid-twenties and in graduate school. On a breezy spring morning, my dog Lucy and I were out for our usual walk when we came across a white plastic bag caught in some vines and billowing in the wind. Lucy went on high alert. Her ears perked, her nose twitched, and she locked eyes on this strange object. When the bag rustled in the breeze, the hair on her back stood up and she began barking. I tried to keep walking, but she was