6 WAYS TO FIGHT SEASONAL DEPRESSION | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

6 Ways to Fight Seasonal Depression

November 22, 2020
How are y'all doing with adjusting to the time change?  Usually it takes most people a couple of weeks to adjust.  But lemme tell ya...this time change is rough for people who are at risk for seasonal depression.  In fact, I consider the end of DST to be the official start of Seasonal Depression season.   If you struggle with your mood in the winter, the best time to start addressing it is before you notice your mood tanking.  This week, I've got proven strategies to help you protect yourself from seasonal depression this year.  You've got enough to contend with -- you don't need seasonal depression on top of it! In this week’s article, discover: What causes seasonal depression 6 proven strategies for fighting seasonal depression Resources for putting those strategies into practice Dive in here!
6 Things to Do During A Social Media Detox | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

6 Things to Do During A Social Media Detox

November 15, 2020
If you've been following along with my articles, you've been working really hard to de-stress your life. In the past few months, you've - Practiced using mindfulness to reduce anxiety - Purchased a weighted blanket - Started silencing your inner critic - Developed a night-time self-care routine - Created a gratitude journal habit, and -Picked up some new stress-relief activities Now, you're ready for another challenge. Time to detox from social media. In this week’s article, discover - Why you need a social media detox - Why it's so hard to do - What to do during your social media detox
6 Research-Proven Stress Relief Activities | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

6 Research-Proven Stress Relief Activities

November 8, 2020
Last week, you got your gratitude journal started with a month's worth of gratitude journal prompts. You've also been working on your night-time self-care routine. Now, it's time for even more stress relief activities. In this week's article, discover the two-part formula for relieving stress and 6 research-proven strategies for stress relief. In this week’s article, discover The two-part formula to relieving stress 6 research-proven strategies for stress relief Resources for putting them into practice
Gratitude Journal Prompts | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

A Month of Gratitude Journal Prompts

November 1, 2020
Last week, you learned a step-by-step night-time self-care routine, which included a reference to keeping a gratitude journal. Ever have that sensation that your life is actually pretty great, but you still feel unfulfilled? Besides doing a complete overhaul of your life activities, there are some other ways you can find more meaning in your life. One simple way is to keep a gratitude journal. In this week’s article, discover - Why you should keep a gratitude journal - How gratitude improves your physical and mental health - How to start a gratitude journal - 31 prompts to complete a full month of gratitude journaling with no repeats! Dive in!
1-Hour Step-By-Step Self-Care Night Routine | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

1-Hour Step-By-Step Self-Care Night Routine

October 25, 2020
A couple of months ago, I gave you some ideas for non-cliche ways to take care of yourself -- out with the face masks, in with more creative ideas. Most of you are probably already convinced that a little more self-care would be good for you. But it’s hard to know where to start. To take some of the guesswork out of self-care, I’m here today to present a night time self-care routine. Just follow step by step. In this week’s article, discover: - Step by step what to do tonight to start taking care of yourself - How much time to spend on each step - Ideas about what to do in each step - What time to start your routine - How to modify the routine to fit your life Dive in here!
First-Time Therapy Questions: What To Ask At Your First Therapy Appointment | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

First-Time Therapy Questions: What To Ask At Your First Therapy Appointment

October 11, 2020
I hear from many of you that you want to go to therapy, but you’re scared. Being prepared makes you feel more confident going into the appointment, so this series is intended to help you get over those first-time therapy jitters. Last week, you discovered what happens at the first therapy appointment and a series of questions you’ll likely be asked. Once you’ve made it to the appointment and you’ve answered all the therapist’s questions, there’s just one more thing that makes people nervous: The dreaded, “Now, do you have any questions for me??” In this weeks’ article, I’ll prep you with a list of questions to ask so you’ll navigate the end of your session like a pro. In this week’s article, discover: - 7 questions to ask your therapist at your first appointment - Why each question is important Dive in here!
First-Time Therapy Questions: What You'll Be Asked At Your First Therapy Appointment Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

First-Time Therapy Questions: What You’ll Be Asked At Your First Therapy Appointment

October 4, 2020
Last week, I shared 8 factors to consider when you’re choosing a therapist. Today, let’s talk about those first-time therapy jitters. If it’s your first time going to therapy, there are certain questions your therapist will likely ask you. Being prepared for these questions can make you feel more confident going into the first appointment. Today, let’s dive into the questions you should be prepared to answer at your first therapy appointment. In this week’s article, discover: - What to expect at your first therapy appointment - 9 questions most therapists ask at the first appointment - The rationale behind some of the more uncomfortable questions (like about your trauma history and drug use…) Dive in!
I Want to Go to Therapy but I'm Scared: How to Choose the Right Therapist | Hayden Finch, PhD | Psychologist in Des Moines, Iowa, and Little Rock, Arkansas

I Want to Go to Therapy but I’m Scared: How to Choose the Right Therapist

September 27, 2020
Each week, I bring you evidence-based strategies for mastering your mental health...the same strategies I teach my own clients in therapy. Through these articles, you’ve learned skills like How to silence your inner critic How to Stop Overthinking How to Rewire Your Anxious Brain But as solid as these strategies are, they can’t replace the personalized care of a licensed mental health professional. If you’ve been wanting to go to therapy, but you’re scared or not sure how to choose the right therapist, this article will teach you how to choose the right therapist. Inside, discover: - 8 things to consider as you’re choosing a therapist - What to look for on the therapist's website - Questions to ask the therapist before your appointment - The only 2 things that matter in choosing a therapist