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Dr. Teresa Smith

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What Causes Shopping Addiction?

Is shopping always on your mind, whether you’re thinking about items you plan to buy or feeling guilty about previous purchases? Do you often feel a sense of euphoria after buying something, causing you to turn to shopping whenever you feel sad or stressed? Has shopping caused you to rack up credit card debt, or do you feel compelled to hide unnecessary purchases from your loved ones?

If any of this sounds familiar, you may have oniomania (commonly referred to as shopping addiction). As with other types of addiction—including drug and alcohol addiction—shopping addiction can result from surges of neurotransmitters. When someone shops, their brain releases dopamine and endorphins, and the feelings produced by these neurotransmitters can gradually become addictive.

You may have an increased risk of developing shopping addiction if you:

  • Have low self-esteem
  • Are anxious or depressed
  • Feel lonely or isolated
  • Are materialistic
  • Feel like you don’t have control over other aspects of your life

Are You Addicted to Shopping?

If you think you might have a shopping addiction, it’s important that you consult with a therapist who has experience treating this issue. Luckily, you can get the help you need at our practice. We understand the effect that shopping addiction can have on a person’s life, and we’ll develop a course of treatment that’s tailored to your personal circumstances. Contact us today and let us know that you’d like to schedule an initial consultation. We look forward to meeting with you.

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3 Things You Never Knew About Meditation

You’ve probably heard of meditation, a practice that focuses on clearing your mind to improve your overall well-being. But how familiar are you with it? Here are three things you never knew about meditation.

1. Meditation Has Been Around for Thousands of Years

While meditation has grown increasingly popular in the United States over the past few decades, it has a much longer history. In fact, according to an article published by Psychology Today, wall art from the Indus Valley indicates that meditation may have been used as early as 5,000 B.C.E.

2. Meditation Can Have Long-Term Effects

It’s common for people to turn to meditation when they’re already feeling stressed. But studies suggest that meditation doesn’t just relieve stress in the moment—consistently practicing meditation over a long period of time can reduce the inflammatory response to psychological stressors, making someone less reactive to stress and better able to recover from it.

3. Therapists Can Help With Meditation

Many people think of meditation as being something that you do on your own, but therapists often use meditation to treat patients who are struggling with stress, anxiety, depression, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), sleep problems, anger management, and various other issues. An experienced therapist can guide patients through meditation sessions and offer advice for how to practice mindfulness at home.

Fortunately, residents of this area won’t need to look far for professional help with meditation. Our therapists regularly incorporate meditation into their practice, and they can recommend the approach that’s most appropriate for your needs. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your initial consultation.

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What Is Journaling & How Can It Help You?

If you’ve been researching self-care practices, you may have come across something known as journaling. But what is journaling, exactly, and what can it do to improve your mental, emotional, and even physical health?

Journaling, at its core, is the regular practice of writing down experiences, thoughts, and feelings. However, it can be adapted to whatever your specific needs or goals may be. For example, many people find that listing the people and things that they’re thankful for helps them become happier overall. Another popular approach is bullet journaling, which typically involves listing short- and long-term goals, daily tasks, reminders, and observations.

The Many Benefits of Journaling

Journaling offers numerous benefits for your mind and body. For instance, it can help you:

  • Process and reflect on your emotions
  • Enhance your mindfulness
  • Become more grateful
  • Develop a more positive mindset
  • Boost your creativity
  • Reduce your stress and anxiety levels
  • Improve your memory
  • Sleep better
  • Track the progress you’re making toward your goals

If you’re just getting started with journaling, you’ll want to intentionally set aside time for it each day until it becomes part of your normal routine. You may also want to try various methods—for example, using a paper journal versus a digital journal—to find the one that works best for you.

Learn More About the Benefits of Journaling

If you’re interested in journaling and the benefits it can provide for you, contact us today. We’ll be happy to arrange an initial consultation at a date and time that fits into your schedule. We look forward to meeting with you, telling you more about our practice, and providing you with tips for how to incorporate journaling into your daily life.

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Why Does Exercise Reduce Stress?

If you’re looking for a way to relieve stress, you’ll want to consider incorporating exercise into your daily routine (with a doctor’s approval). Exercise is renowned for being an excellent stress reliever, but how exactly does it affect stress levels? Exercise can:

  • Increase endorphin production – Your pituitary gland and hypothalamus produce endorphins, hormones that can help reduce your stress, relieve your pain, and boost your mood. Exercise stimulates your body to produce more endorphins, making it a great stress reliever
  • Improve your sleep – Studies show that a lack of sleep can cause someone to feel more stressed. Fortunately, exercise can help you get a better night’s sleep, which can in turn keep your stress levels down
  • Take your mind off your worries – When you’re feeling stressed, it can be hard to think about anything else. But because exercise forces you to focus on your body’s movements, it can serve as a stress-reducing form of meditation.

If you’re not used to exercising, be sure to start off slow. After all, if you end up injuring yourself, you won’t be able to enjoy any of the stress relief benefits listed above. Also make sure to choose a workout that you’ll enjoy—remember that any physical activity can qualify as exercise, so if you’ll be more likely to stick with a routine that involves dancing rather than jogging, go for it.

Still Need Help Reducing Your Stress Levels?

If you’ve tried incorporating exercise into your daily routine but you’re still feeling stressed, you may want to consider speaking to a therapist. Luckily, you can rely on the experienced team at our practice. We understand the toll that stress can take on a person’s life, and once we’ve learned about your specific circumstances, we’ll be able to provide you with customized advice. Contact us today to get started.

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