Happy Mothers Day to all the Mothers.

Mothers Day can be a very difficult day for many people. Whether or not an individual has a mom or a child or not, it can be a very sad and depressing day for most people.

I have grown children and grandchildren and I am thankful for them. I was raised by a very loving mother. I am blessed. 

I also lost babies and my mother many years ago.

Just because someone has family, it does not minimize the hurt and pain from losses.

Whether or not you have a mother or a mother figure in your life, I know it can be a difficult day.

I know for me it was very hard for many years on Mother's Day after my mom died and when I lost 6 babies. I remember that I dreaded this holiday. 

One year, I chose to focus on the positives in my life instead of my losses. I had other children and so I chose to really make the day about them instead of my grief. 

I know that some people do not have children to focus on. You can focus on something else though and you can choose to focus on you and your life.

It is helpful to allow yourself to be sad and hurt or depressed though. Allow yourself to feel -and then choose to not let your hurt feelings consume you in a negative way.

Demonstrate healthy coping skills such as go outside, listen to music, talk a shower, take deep breaths, journal, draw, reach out to someone and pray are a few.

I hope and pray that all of you who are reading this find joy instead grief no matter your situation and story. My heart goes out to you. I know your pain. 

God knows your pain too. You can pray and give him your pain and sadness.

Psalms 9:9 The LORD is a stronghold for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

Psalms 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

1 Peter 5:6-7 (KJV) Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

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Blog By 

                Diane Gammon M.S.

             Clinical Mental Health Counselor 

 Diane Davidson Gammon LPC-MHSP(temp) MS, NCC is a Clinical Mental Counselor in Murfreesboro, TN

Call or text 615-556-8406 for questions or to set up an appointment or email: Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

 Disclaimer- I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. My blogs are for information and inspirational purposes. Please consult your doctor before starting a new health regimen. 

  

Feeling depressed and or having anxiety? You are not alone. I want to normalize this for you. It is completely normal to feel down in spirits or to feel anxious during this difficult time. Some people who have never experienced these symptoms are experiencing them now. Even if you have a positive outlook and are optimistic, depression can still surface during this time. Please know that you are not alone and that this is normal. We are living in a time with much uncertainty. Such extreme uncertainty and adversity definitely evokes depression and anxiety symptoms.

MINDFULLFUL PRACTICE:

It is first of all helpful to allow yourself to feel everything that you are truly feeling and experiencing. Try not to sweep your feelings and emotions under the rug. Try not to stuff them. While this may be something you feel might be helpful, it is actually more helpful to let your true feelings come out to the surface. I want to encourage you today to allow your real authentic feelings and emotions to come to the surface. Give yourself permission to feel and be just as you are today.

It is also helpful to sit or lay still and totally allow your feelings and emotions to surface while actually focusing on them. Just give yourself permission to feel how you truly feel and throw any guilt or shame to the wayside.

Try to do this calmly for a minimum of 20 minutes straight. Take small deep cleansing breaths as you acknowledge your true emotions. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth slowly and give yourself permission to feel as you truly feel. While doing so, tell yourself that you are worthy and valuable and that your feelings matter.

Now, after you have allowed yourself to feel how you truly feel, talk to yourself positively. Tell yourself that you are going to be alright. Tell yourself that you are worthy. Tell yourself that are worthy of self-care and that your life and your feelings matter. Tell yourself that if someone does not treat you the way that you would like to be treated that it does not decrease your value as a person. Tell yourself that even though the world seems scary right now that you can have peace within yourself.

There have been studies conducted were individuals’ brains were scanned before and after this type of exercise. Scans showed that this simple practice can literally reset someone’s brain and they actually can feel better in minutes! The mind is a powerful thing!

Follow this activity up with continued positive self-talk that you are worthy and valuable. Tell yourself that your feelings matter without guilt. Tell yourself that you can feel peace in the midst of adversity. Then try to engage in an activity that feeds your soul. If you can’t do something like that due to your current circumstances, visualize yourself doing something in the near future that ignites your zest for life! And if possible, go outside and feel the sunshine and get some vitamin D. Take a short walk and breathe in fresh air and calmness and exhale any fears.

YOU MATTER!

YOUR FEELINGS MATTER!

Diane Gammon LPC-MHSP (temp) NCC, M.S.

TN Licensed Professional and Board Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor

615-556-8406- Call or -text to schedule a Telehealth Secure (HIPPA Compliant) Video Counseling Session or to ask a question

Email: Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Diane holds a temporary license as a Tennessee licensed professional clinical mental health counselor (TN 4898) with a mental health service provider designation. Diane is also board certified as a national certified counselor (888025). Diane is clinically supervised by Sherry Knox (TN 2671) as she pursues full licensure.

Disclaimer: The content in this blog is for informational purposes only to share various health topics to encourage and inspire healthy living. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider before undertaking a new health care regimen and never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website/ blog.

Blessings, Diane

We are all living in trying times right now. Along with both of my brothers, I have created a new Facebook page called Keep Covid Calm. Hopefully it will inspire and encourage you during this difficult time. I hope you check it out and follow the page. We are faced with many stressors right now. It is helpful to increase healthy coping skills. My favorite healthy coping skill that I recommend to my clients daily is to just get outside every day. Get some sun, fresh air and move your body in some way. Try to take at least a couple of short walks a day. It is it great for your body, it is great for your spirits.

Visit keep Covid Calm on Facebook

Disclaimer, I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. I am trying to encourage others. Please consult your doctor before engaging in any new health routines.

Blessings-

Diane Gammon, Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling

Secure/ private Telehealth Video counseling

615-556-8406

We are living in a time where it is very easy to feel anxious and worried. Even if we have faith and trust in God, it is very easy to feel anxious and nervous about what is going on in the world right now. It is helpful to acknowledge how you are truly feeling. It is good to acknowledge it to yourself and also to God. God wants you to go to Him and give Him your pain and worries. As you do this, it is also important that you implement positive self-care and coping skills. Tell yourself every day that you are going to be okay. Talk to yourself positively first thing in the morning. Then pick out something new that you can start to integrate into your daily schedule that would help you feel better. Choose something that can increase your immune system and health. Then pick out something that can feed your soul. Next, decide how you’re going to integrate these new habits into your daily life.

Diane Gammon LPC-MHSP, NCC, M.S.

Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor

Living With Hope Counseling.com

615-556-8406

Living With Hope Counseling is still open. I am just using a secure video for sessions (Telehealth) during this time. Most of my clients have found that they actually prefer having their counseling sessions by video rather than in person. It is easy to use and totally private. Let me know if you have any questions. I know that this is a trying time for everyone. I am praying for you.

Diane Gammon LPC-MHSP (temp) NCC, M.S.

Licensed Professional Clinical Mental Health Counselor

615-556-8406

Email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

There is always HOPE!

With everything going on in the world right now, I thought it would be appropriate to post this picture. I know many of you are hurting and are stressed in so many ways. I am praying for you. Please know that there is hope and healing on the horizon!

With everyone taking precautions due to the virus, I am happy to announce that I now offer counseling sessions by secure private video (Telehealth). Call or text 615–556-8406 with any questions or to schedule a video counseling session. I look forward to hearing from you and walking alongside with you toward healing!

Living With Hope Counseling

Diane Gammon, LPC-MHSP (temp), NCC, M.S.

Licensed professional and nationally certified clinical mental health counselor

615-556-8406

email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

There is always HOPE!

A concept that is very simple and can help everyone in life is about what is in our control. We often waste precious time and mental energy worrying about things that we have no control over. Something that is more productive is to acknowledge what is not in our control and let it go. Things that are not in our control can be let go in a number of ways. You can write things down on paper and throw the paper away. You can pray about them and give them to God. You can visualize them in a balloon and imagine the balloon being released into the sky.

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It is also helpful to make a list of things in a situation that you are in control of. Then, think about and write down specific things you can do to better your situation that are in your control. Then think of the very first step of things that you can do to help yourself. Just shifting your focus on what’s in our control and letting go it’s out of our control is life changing!

Diane Gammon

Living With Hope Counseling

Self Care Smart

(615-556-8406)

email- Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Self-love is not selfish. A lot of us think that self love and self-care are selfish motives. However, these are not selfish at all. They are necessary! First of all, we have to take care of ourselves in order to function in our lives. Also, we have to take care of ourselves to be able to take care of others or do things that we need to do. Sometimes we feel guilty if we take time out for ourselves. I want to encourage you today to take time out for yourself. Tell yourself that it is not selfish but rather, required! Next, tell yourself that you deserve to be taken care of. Also, remember that we attract what we believe we deserve. How do you treat yourself demonstrates to others how you want to be treated. Furthermore, you can’t be in a healthy relationship loving others if you don’t first love yourself.

Diane Davidson

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

LivingWithHopeCounseling

615-556-8406

Welcome! I’m so excited to have a new beautiful website up that includes my health blog! All of my old blogs are still where they were and some of them carried over here. But all the new ones will be here.

I am learning how to navigate around here but I plan to have regular posts up again soon! I want to share information and inspire you to create healthy habits!

Thank you for stopping by and please come back!

Diane Gammon

Clinical Mental Health Counselor

615-556-8406

LivingWithHopeCounseling

SelfCareSmart