The Introverted Owls

It's very easy to be busy in our lives and put our mental health at the very bottom of our list of priorities, if we put it at all. Our minds are extraordinary, but we need to guide them to recognize certain patterns because they won't do it on their own.  Our daily behavior is a perfect indicator of our mental health and one of the many habits we need to keep an eye on is called emotional mirroring. What Is Mirroring? First, you need to keep in mind what is meant by mirroring. It is exactly what the term implies—the behavior in which one person tends to imitate another person's attitude. This can include the way someone speaks, makes eye contact, or makes certain gestures with their hands.  When we mirror someone, we aren't really aware that we're doing it unless it is pointed out. Our bodies tend to do that as a way to build rapport and it's a sign that you're comfortable within your social setting. It is a good thing.  What Is Emotional Mirroring? Based o...

Ever wonder what kind of role you play when you handle conflict? Not a lot of people would give this a moment's thought unless directly asked. We tend to handle a range of different conflicts in our lives, from the personal to the professional, as we encounter them. Not being aware of how our mind chooses to solve problems is what drags us and our opponents into an endless dilemma known as the Drama Triangle, simplified as follows:  What Is the Drama Triangle? All the way back during the late 1960's, psychologist Stephen Karpman described three basic roles (forming an upside down triangle) that people take on during complex interactions with one another. These roles do not define how people are generally; however, if they are not aware of their actions, they can easily be sucked into a never-ending cycle with no way out.  Karpman's dreaded drama triangle limits our abilities to lead healthy stress-free lives. Our minds unconsciously feed on self-punishing or self-satisfying...

It's not easy being an empath. You constantly feel like your senses are heightened and on edge with feelings and problems that most of the time are not ever yours to process. While empaths absorb other people's emotions as their own, they can just as easily absorb all the negativity and fear in the world. Living through a global pandemic will surely not make things any simpler.  There are many types of empaths and it's very eye-opening when you find out which one you are. Your mind could even be wired to be a mix of more than one type. The next step is figuring out how to avoid compassion fatigue , the downside of experiencing too much emotional empathy for someone or something.  The trick is to take care of yourself a little more and build a sort of balance in your life. There are a few things you can do continuously to achieve that. You might think they are too simple, yes, but they work. So, how do empaths recharge? Here are 5 secrets for empaths to unwind an...

With all this talk about isolation and social distancing in light of the Coronavirus pandemic, it was naturally assumed by the entire world, introverts included, that it's the year of the introverts. Endless memes swarmed social media about how an introvert's normal lifestyle has become the new cool. We introverts are guilty of sharing a few too!  It is sufficient for a good laugh in a time of uncertainty. However, as reality set in, it would seem that things are not as rainbows and butterflies for introverts as everyone expected. There is no doubt quarantine is hell for extroverts who thrive on socializing, but you would be surprised how difficult it can be for introverts as well. Check out these 4 misconceptions about introverts in quarantine: 1. Introverts Are Living the Time of Their Lives No, we are definitely not having a blast and living our dream life during this crisis. In fact, it's safe to assume that no one is. The advantage introverts have in such times ...

Since the novel Covid-19 virus has officially been declared a pandemic, things have taken a quick turn in a direction none of us anticipated. The entire world is fighting it together and social distancing is what we have to do now. It may come easier for introverts than extroverts, but being forced to stay inside can be hard even for introverts because of overwhelming anxiety and stress over this global health crisis.  We are all learning to adjust to tough circumstances as a result and it's easy to fall through the cracks.  The fact that we don't really know when our normal lives and daily routines will commence is especially hard for everyone, let alone those of us more prone to stress and anxiety. The situation is not ideal, but you can do your best to take care of your mental health in the meantime. Here's what you can try to make things just a little bit easier for yourself: 1. Avoid the News as Often as You Can Following the news in these situations is w...

Suicide is a tough thing to talk about. It's something nobody is comfortable bringing up because it's a scary thought. Deep down in our minds, we cannot begin to understand someone's motivation or mental state that would cause them to do such a thing. But what are we supposed to do when we're forced to talk about it and face how we feel because it keeps happening around us? Are we to keep our feelings all bundled up inside and try to ignore them? You might be able to do that a few times, but eventually, it will become too much to handle.  What Are Triggers? Triggers are defined as any type of stimuli that can cause a person to feel panicked, depressed, or anxious without warning. It can be anything from a smell to a certain place, and of course a feeling.  What Are Suicide Triggers? Hearing other people's stories can be more triggering than our own. Constantly hearing about people who have committed suicide, celebrities or otherwise, and feeling depressed a...