Author Archives: Drew Powell

What is Vitamin D Deficiency?

Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, United States

Vitamin D deficiency is a common condition with implications for mental health. Several randomized controlled trials have now shown that raising vitamin D levels in individuals with a deficiency can help mitigate the effects of depression. You obtain vitamin D through food and the sun. With summer right around the corner, spending time outdoors with […]

What is Community Care?

diverse characters holding up jigsaw pieces

We often hear about the importance of self-care in the era of mental health clickbait and an increasing desire for likes on social media. But what about community care? What about putting systems in place so that people don’t feel so alone in the world? It Starts With a Neighborhood Imagine neighbors passing one another with […]

The Importance of Individuation

side-profile-of-man

As defined by the Oxford dictionary, to individuate is to distinguish from others of the same kind. In practice, this means deciding how you will differentiate yourself from your place of origin through careful discernment. Throughout life, you will have to make decisions for yourself. You decide, at some level, what job you work, who your […]

Everything I Needed to Know About Life I Learned From Mountain Biking

A man mountain bikes near Wade Lake in the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest.

Whizzing down the mountain, the wind whips against your face and gives you an exhilarating rush. The tires of your bike roll beneath you down the rickety path as you give yourself to the gravity of the mountain. When you slam the brakes to avoid an oncoming tree, your wheels skid at a 45-degree angle, […]

Adding Self-Care Sundays to Your Routine

Another Sunday has come and you are trying to decide how to spend the day. You have a set of chores to get done such as cleaning the house, doing the laundry, meal preparation for the week, and running a few errands you had been behind on recently. With all these competing responsibilities and priorities, […]

Summer Vacation After the Pandemic

Man singing and enjoying karaoke

The first day of summer is Sunday, June 20th. As more and more Americans get vaccinated, travel restrictions are being lifted. This presents the perfect opportunity to travel after so many months of social distancing. Not only is taking a break from work crucial for avoiding burnout, but also for incorporating adventure and new experiences. […]

Group Celebrations Enhance Your Life

Father and son having fun at the breakfast table

Gatherings of people to celebrate an important milestone in their lives can bring so much joy to life. Finally, we are reaching a point in this global pandemic where people can start celebrating weddings, graduations, holidays, and more. Congregating in groups allows us to relate to one another and form momentous energy around major accomplishments. […]

The Healing Benefits of Laughter

Closeup of a man smiling in a park

Life often presents us with great adversity. Finding effective, healthy ways to cope with the difficulties in life can take time and discipline, but once you identify coping methods that work for you, overcoming obstacles and living more fully becomes easier. One of the most effective and efficient coping skills is humor. Laughing often, embracing […]

Alcoholics Anonymous and Related Support Groups

Elderly man on a wheelchair holding his wife hand on his shoulder

If you are looking for a substance abuse support group, here are some resources to explore which approach works best for you. Alcoholics Anonymous Originally founded during the 20th century by two men who struggled with alcoholism, this network of support groups now serves millions of members worldwide. These members acknowledge alcoholism as a disease […]