Nature and Depression: How Spending Time Outside Can Alleviate Depression
In the hustle of modern life, it's easy to feel overwhelmed and bogged down by the daily grind. For those battling depression, each day can seem like an uphill battle against a relentless foe. But what if there was a simple, natural remedy right outside your door? Nature, as well as nature therapy, with its tranquil landscapes and rejuvenating presence, has long been hailed as a powerful antidote to the symptoms of depression. In this blog post from us here at GOKC, we'll explore the science behind how spending time in nature can alleviate depression. We will also offer practical tips on how to incorporate outdoor activities into your self-care routine.
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Walk-and-Talk Therapy: Wellness One Block at a Time
Whether you live in the heart of Kansas City, the hills of Rural Missouri or the shady cul-de-sacs of Johnson County, Nature Therapy on the move is just out your door! It's not your typical therapist's office—it's the great outdoors. Walk-and-talk therapy is a simplistically beneficial approach to mental health counseling. One that combines the benefits of traditional therapy with the healing power of nature. In this post, we'll delve into the profound value of walk-and-talk therapy for holistic health and wellness. While also recommending some of the picturesque public trails nestled within the Kansas City metropolitan area.
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How Nature Therapy can help Ease the Grieving Process
In the intricate tapestry of life, grief is an inevitable thread that weaves its way through our experiences. Whether it’s the loss of a loved one, a cherished pet, or even a significant life transition, grief can envelop us in its shroud. This leaves us feeling adrift in a sea of emotions. Yet, amidst the tumultuous waves of sorrow, there exists a tranquil harbor waiting to be discovered: nature. In the verdant embrace of the great outdoors, amidst the whispering trees and babbling brooks, we find solace, healing, and renewal. Let's embark on a journey through the restorative power of Nature Therapy in Kansas City, MO, with GOKC, and explore how it aids in the delicate process of grieving.
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Embracing Nature in DBT: How the Outdoors Support Emotional Regulation
Emotional Regulation is not an easy task. Especially for those receiving DBT treatment. The blessing & curse of DBT is that it's heavily skills-based. If you find difficulty sticking to your plan of skills, homework from a full DBT Program or being so activated that you can't even practice skills then consider the benefits of walking out your door. Nature will always be accessible & welcoming to you. I'd strongly encourage you to utilize Mother Nature's availability to your advantage during all times of the year. Even during our bitter mid-western winters. With the right layers & mindset, a little time outside in all seasons is wonderful for you. You will be able to thrive in your wise mind. Keep going!
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Nature Therapy: How Nature Heals Us
Nature therapy is a wonderfully accessible & broad practice. Gardening, walking through a park, landscaping, mowing - maybe that’s a stretch! Regardless, nature therapy is completely accessible to you wherever you live!
We’ll be digging into nature therapy throughout this entry. Take a breathe and settle in, as we’ll be jumping into several components:
Defining Nature Therapy
Ways to Practice Nature Therapy
Dietary and Health Practices
Benefits of Connection to Nature
Local Community Agencies to Get You Into Nature
Keep going to learn more about how our connection to and within nature is wonderful for us. And keep an eye out for a couple of personal stories that have impacted me along the way.
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The Calming Effects of Nature on Trauma Survivors & PTSD
Okay, just breathe!
C'mon, you can do it. This happened a lifetime ago. What's my calming plan?!? Count backward slowly - that didn't work. Somatic breathwork?! Yeah right! What's next? I'm not calling Katie again...I can do this. Oh yeah - get outside!
If you have ever noticed the fantastic difference it makes being outside versus in our home, office or car? If so, you are NOT alone! Maybe you've forgotten the impact of the warmth of the sun, the gentle touch of a spring breeze, songbirds calling out to one another or the touch of your plants as you stroll through your backyard native garden. Spending time in our natural world offers tremendous opportunity for calm. Nature provides significant effects on our bodies, minds and psyche. This post will examine nature's calming effects on our lives. Specifically, we're going to learn about how outdoor activities give us the most positive effects for healing from our traumas.
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Love or Codependency: How to Know the Difference?
I love this topic! Wait, maybe I'm codependent on this topic. Oh no. Oh God. I am. Whether you have a love addiction, find yourself in a healthy or codependent relationship, finally had a promising swipe right or are trying to rebuild yourself after being in love addicts anonymous, you will be alright! You have everything already within you to make the first step in placing your own needs above your partner. Every. Single. Time.
Today we're going to dig into foundational components of healthy relationships; signs of codependency & a whole lot in between to help you practice healthy love within yourself and romantic relationships. We are also going to cover some red flags of codependency which may be difficult for those of us with personal experiences including abusive relationships or alcohol addiction.
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Backpacking Adventures Series: I Threw That Shit in the Fire
Good friends pay dividends for miles and miles (and miles). I underestimate the hilariously entrenched memories until they rage back to the forefront while in a backcountry pick-up truck shuttle from a guy called Leroy. This adventure on the Taum Sauk Mountain section of the Ozark Trail was shared by me & two good friends. The Ozark Trail is a fantastic backcountry trail that (eventually) connects suburban St. Louis, MO to Little Rock, AR
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Party Time Potting Soil Mix for Aloe Vera Plants
Have you always hoped and dreamed of being the aloe envy of your neighbors? Are you ready for unlimited holiday gifts for your loved ones an off-shoot at a time? Do you find yourself with constant sunburns? Well, then you're in luck! With this simple strategy for success in the right soil, your aloe vera plants will party! Read below to find the best homemade potting soil to perfectly nurture your aloe vera plant and make your dreams come true.
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Borderline Personality Disorder: How to Cope with BPD
If you ever experienced an episode of intense emotions, mood instability, impulsive behaviors exploding into suicidal thoughts and/or self-harm then it's possible you've encountered an episode of Borderline Personality Disorder. We've come a long way in identifying the BPD experience of folks who are suffering from them regularly. This post is not intended as an extensive dive into all components of BPD. Rather, today's post is going to dig into the components of a bpd episode, distinguishing characteristics of personality disorders from other types of mental health conditions and review effective treatments of BPD.
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Can Trauma Cause Memory Loss? Brain Injury and PTSD
In this post, we'll detail several types of traumatic events and how they impact memory loss, difficulty retaining new information, memory impairments and dissociative amnesia. We will also discuss the symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and how memory loss due to trauma can affect your daily activities. Last, you will learn about the top evidence-based protocols & proven strategies to help you heal from your traumatic past. You are more than your tragedies. You will heal and thrive.
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Welcome to the gokc blog
Welcome, good morning, how do you do? This is our initial blog post - yay! I hope to add some value to your day, as well as to provide opportunity to stay focused about the things that matter to me. And just maybe we’ll be lucky enough for those topics to matter to you too. This post will cover three things:
Introduce ourselves to you - gokc is a leading mental health private practice in KC
Provide a roadmap for the gokc blog in 2024
Encourage you to keep going no matter what!
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