It often surprises me how many people do not take time to simply go outside and get some fresh air. They may work in an office all day and then they drive home after work very tired. They then want to relax and sit on the couch and watch television. They have different things they need to get done and they are mentally and physically exhausted. The last thing they feel like doing is going outside and walking around a little bit if possible and getting some fresh air. However, it is so beneficial and needed for our health! Going outside and getting fresh air every day is so good for our soul! It feeds our soul! It is good for a physical health especially when we are active outside and move our bodies in someway. But even more so, it is excellent for our mental health to go outside every day! It can help reduce depression, anxiety and other debilitating symptoms. Breathing in fresh hair also helps our bodies get the oxygen through our blood and helps our lungs to navigate at a fuller capacity. It’s simply improves our mood for the better and is healthy! Enjoy this new spring weather and get outside whenever you can! It’s good for your health and it can make you feel happier!

Visit my facebook page for further inspiration.

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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

Winter can be a very difficult time for a lot of people. While it can be exhilarating to experience a new season, it can be a time of depression as well. Some people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a mood disorder sub type of Major depressive episodes or for individuals who have Bipolar Disorder.

Some symptoms may be feeling depressed most of the day nearly every day, having low energy, feeling sluggish, not having an interest to do activities, feeling hopeless, having a hard time focusing, headaches, weight gain, hopelessness, feeling empty, feeling exhausted and often having thoughts of death or suicide.
Complications from this order can result in problems with work or school, socialization difficulties, suicidal ideation, anxiety and other mental disorders as well as difficulties with substance abuse.

It is helpful to get outside even though it is cold! It is important to get light and vitamin D from the sun. At the very least, sit by a window and open the curtains to expose yourself to light. Adequate and consistent rest is also extremely important. It is also vital that you move your body and be active. Try to get in regular exercise. Eating a healthy diet of whole foods including a lot of fresh organic fruit and vegetables is also extremely helpful. Also, it’s important to reach out for support and to be social. If need be, counseling can be extremely helpful. Prayer and seeking a spiritual relationship with God can be very comforting during this time. Lastly, depending on the severity of symptoms, medication can be used. There are also many natural supplements that might be helpful.

You are not your mistakes, you are not what happened to you. You are worthy and valuable just how you are and with where you are with your life right now. It is never too late to set a new goal or dream. It is never too late to pursue your passions. It is never to late to create new healthy habits for self-care. Your life matters and you are worthy and valuable!
Here’s to new beginnings!

Visit my facebook page for further inspiration.

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Happy New Year! I apologize for my absence. I look forward to blogging for you all again this year. I know that it has been a trying year for most everyone. I hope and pray that this new year will be a positive and new beginning for you.

I would like to encourage you to ask yourself what things you would like to pursue this new year. What can you do that feeds your soul? What can you do different this new year that is good for your physical, mental and emotional health?

Remember that your past, any mistakes and things that have happened to you do not define who you are or your future.

It is never too late to set a new goal or dream. It is never too late to pursue your passions. It is never to late to create new healthy habits for self-care. Your life matters and you are worthy and valuable!
Here’s to new beginnings!

Visit my facebook page for further inspiration.

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

It’s a great time for a new beginning! What would you like to work on during this new season? Would you like to work on improving your self-care? Would you like to work on your mental health? It is never too late to work toward healing and your goals! Start today by writing your short and long-term goals for yourself. Then, break them down into small baby steps. You are worthy and valuable of healing and living life abundantly!

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   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Your thoughts and your brain activity are directly correlated to your immune system. Having negative thoughts and emotions lower your immune response against disease. Further, having a negative mood can put your health in danger by affecting the levels of inflammation in your body. Thus, negative thoughts and emotions and high levels of stress can adversely affect the immune system. Ways to improve your immune system when stressed are: exercise, laugh, meditate, yoga, eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, reduce food and drinks like sugar and alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, get adequate sleep, chose positive self-talk, prayer, breathing techniques, and reaching out to someone to talk to. There is always hope!

Follow us on Facebook for more inspiration!

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

When you are in an abusive relationship, it’s difficult to see things clearly. You may feel unloved, unworthy, stuck, not good enough, weak, and that if just love your mate better that they will be nicer to you. It is easy to feel like if you just do what they want, that they will change. For one, you are being manipulated. Abusers also usually isolate their victims. They make you feel like no one else would want you and that you cannot live without them. They make things so difficult that it is usually easier to stay in the abuse. But the truth is that you are never stuck. There’s always a way out. You may feel like your love can fix him or her, your abuser. The unfortunate truth is that it doesn’t matter how much you love someone, you cannot fix them. They have to want to get help and they have to believe that they need help. They also need to get the help on their own when they are ready to change. Wanting that for them is not enough. Loving them is not enough. It is normal to have negative thoughts about yourself when you are in an abusive relationship. However, these negative thoughts are not the truth. You are always worthy and valuable of being treated with respect. Also, just because someone doesn’t treat you as such like you are not worthy, it is not decrease your value as a person. You are still a valuable person. It just may not feel like this right now. Statistically, most abusers never change their behavior. And usually, if there is a slim chance that they can change and get help, you will need to get away from them first before they can reach that point. Also, most victims of abuse leave or attempt to leave nine times before they actually leave the relationship permanently. This is for many reasons. It could be for financial reasons or just feeling like they can’t get out away from their abuser. Also, they will promise you that they will change and get help. They will change and treat you different so you will stay and then they will eventually go back to their abusive behavior. You may feel like you’re going crazy. Again, you are just being manipulated. It’s helpful to separate from them and take time to clear your mind to be able to see things more clearly. It is also important to remember again, that you are never stuck in a situation. There’s always hope and there’s always help. Your life matters and you always deserve to be treated lovingly and with respect. Real love doesn’t hurt. If you’re in an abusive relationship, seek help and support today. You are worthy.

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   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Self-love is something that can be a little uncomfortable or awkward for some people. However, self-love is very important. You have to love yourself and feel worthy and valuable before you can love others and be in a healthy relationship. It’s also important to have the quality of self-love to help you to navigate through life. You actually teach others how to treat you with how you see yourself and with how you treat yourself. Treat yourself with love, respect and gentleness. Know your worth and value. You matter! If you are having a difficult time having positive thoughts about yourself, I would like to encourage you to ask yourself why you feel this way? Is there something permitting you from loving yourself? If so, choose today to identify and work through these barriers.

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   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Have you ever felt like you are broken and need to be ‘fixed’? A healthier way to look at it is that you are not broken but rather, are hurt in some way. Thus, you don’t need fixed but you need healing. Healing can look different to one person to another. We also all heal in different time frames. Also, we are all a work in progress. If you are hurting, grieving, depressed, or more, healing is possible. Seek professional help if needed. Just know that your life matters. You are worthy of healing and healing is possible.

Follow us on Facebook for more inspiration!

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Imagine that what you need to recover and heal from is like climbing a large mountain.

Healing and Recovery is at the top. 

It will take hard work, effort, time, mental and physical energy, self-motivation, positive self-talk, rest- stops/ taking a break, some back sliding/ stumbling backwards as you climb, and it will be rough at times......but it will be so worth it when you get there! 

When you reach the top -- you will be healed! Imagine the most beautiful view from the top of the mountain that you need to climb and how great that you will feel when you reach the top! 

Keep on climbing! 

Follow us on Facebook for more inspiration!

   CLICK HERE For Living With Hope Counseling Facebook Page AND "LIKE" IT!

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

Mindfulness is when you engage in and maintain moment by moment awareness of your thoughts, feelings, body, and your environment. Mindfulness is also a mental state that is achieved by focusing on the present moment while also allowing yourself to feel your true emotions. The practice of mindfulness is where there is no judgment. You are free to be yourself, free to feel how you honestly feel with no guilt. To engage in mindfulness is to engage in the present moment, not thinking of the past and not anticipating anything regarding the future.

You can begin mindfulness practices by just focusing on your breathing. Take a long cleansing breath. Breathe in through your nose and exhale through your mouth. Now do it again and this time think of your lungs filling up with air and then the air going back out of your lungs. Now in the third time, hold your breath for seven seconds before you exhale.

If you can, take a short walk outside. Take a mindfulness walk outside. As you walk, pay attention to your senses. Pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, in touch. If you cannot take a walk outside, then visualize yourself outside and visualize what you would be experiencing with your senses.

Another type of mindfulness is called grounding. This is where you just pay attention to where you are at at the moment. Reach out and touch and hold on to the chair you are sitting in or touch what is next to you. Tell yourself that you are safe and at peace as you focus on your close surroundings.

So allow yourself to feel your true emotions and feelings. Acknowledge and allow yourself to be you honestly. Recognize and acknowledge any body sensations that you may feel at this time. Take slow deep breaths and after you allow yourself to feel everything that you truly feel, talk to yourself positively. Tell yourself that you are okay and that you were going to be okay. Tell yourself that you are at peace.

Blessings, Diane

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

Clinical Mental Heath Counselor

615-556-8406

Email:

Diane@LivingWithHopeCounseling.com

Disclaimer, I am not a doctor and I am not giving out medical advice. This blog is to provide support and inspiration. Please seek a medical doctor before starting any new health regiments.