mental health

A woman holding the sign Joy in her hands on the Journeyofsmiley blog

Four Tips to Find Joy in the Journey: Dealing With Struggle – Salt + Sparrow Guest Post

The past few months have been incredibly hard for us again. At the start of the summer, we found out that my mother-in-law, Mum as I used to call her, had cancer. We didn’t, however, expect that we would lose her just three months later. This was heartbreaking. ‘Why, why again?’ I started to question. […]

Four Tips to Find Joy in the Journey: Dealing With Struggle – Salt + Sparrow Guest Post Read More »

Several photos on a desk with words such as SAD, Lonely and Seasonal affective disorder on the Journeyofsmiley blog

SAD: What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder and How to Combat It?

October is Depression Awareness Month, and the first week of October is Mental Illness Awareness Week. Whilst it is important to regularly and openly discuss mental health conditions, the week is intended to bring everyone coming together and help raise awareness of mental illnesses. Depression is one of the mental illnesses that receives the most attention. After all, it

SAD: What Is Seasonal Affective Disorder and How to Combat It? Read More »

Portrait of a woman with ginger hair on the right side and on the life side an inspirational quote on the PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body?

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body? by Susanne Kooijman | PTSD: My Story Project #014 Trigger warning I decided to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project and share my experience with conversion disorder in hopes that someone can relate to it and find comfort in knowing that they too, can overcome their worst

Conversion Disorder: Is Anxiety Attacking My Body? Read More »

A white pebble stone with the writing Gratitude on it and on top of it is written Genuine Ways to Express Gratitude on the Journeyofsmiley blog

Alternative Ways to Genuine Gratitude Practice in Challenging Times

Gratitude has helped me enormously since my accident two and a half years ago. During this time we have been practising gratitude each night before going to sleep. It has helped me to see the light in the darkness of tough times. However, after receiving heartbreaking news from my husband’s immediate family, we found ourselves

Alternative Ways to Genuine Gratitude Practice in Challenging Times Read More »

Portrait of a woman with blond hair on the right side and on the life side an inspirational quote on the PTSD: My Story Project on Journeyofsmiley

“You Are Not Alone,” Comforting Message From a Nurse

“You Are Not Alone,” Comforting Message From a Nurse by Valentina Mirto | PTSD: My Story Project #013 Trigger warning I have chosen to participate in the PTSD: My Story Project because I am constantly exposed to people suffering from trauma due to being critically unwell. Sometimes trauma can be a silent enemy. And the

“You Are Not Alone,” Comforting Message From a Nurse Read More »

Sunset over the sea and the title Relax and Restore on Journeyofsmiley.com

How to Relax Your Body and Mind Without Feeling Guilty – ReelChat Guest Post

Summer is starting to knock on the door, a time of holiday, rest and relaxation. Or at least it should be. However, how many of us remember an occasion when a holiday turned into a nightmare rather than being the period of peace and tranquillity that we hoped for? It is, however, possible to prevent

How to Relax Your Body and Mind Without Feeling Guilty – ReelChat Guest Post Read More »

Green background and in the middle with capital letters written Anxiety on the Journeyofsmiley blog

PTSD and Anxiety – Anxiety Hacks Podcast 

May is National Anxiety Month and Mental Health Awareness Month in the States. And this week is also Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK. The theme for this Mental Health Awareness Week is Anxiety. Given my PTSD diagnosis after my accident, anxiety isn’t an unfamiliar term for me. I have been learning to manage

PTSD and Anxiety – Anxiety Hacks Podcast  Read More »

Pink background with a rose on the right side of the image and a closed notebook with a pen next to it on the title on the notebook Journaling Heal and Grow on the Journeyofsmiley blog

Journaling: What Is It and How to Use It for Healing?

After publishing a blog post about how writing can help with our healing from trauma and pain, I was invited to join an online summit to talk on this topic. Since I have had several people contact me, wanting to know more about journaling for healing. I, therefore, decided to write more about this technique.

Journaling: What Is It and How to Use It for Healing? Read More »