Author: Michelle Zaragoza, LCSW
-
3 Simple Ways to Access Inner Calm & Resilience
Here are 3 simple ways to help you navigate daily stressors or life challenges and tap into the deep reservoir of calmness and resilience for yourself and those around you.
-
How to quick-start your mindfulness practice today
It might seem intimidating to get started with a mindfulness practice. Just know that’s why it is called a ‘practice’. Just like how many of us grew up not knowing how to surf or ride a bike and had to practice, mindfulness is also a practice. It is a skill that can be learned and…
-
How do I connect with Nature?: A Decolonized Approach
When I am in nature, I feel connected to something bigger than myself, I connect to awe, presence, harmony, balance, power, and a sense of belonging. I truly feel that Nature is healing for mind, body, and soul. Now, I could list scholarly articles and research on the benefits of being in nature, however, in…
-
20 Mantras to use when Anxiety shows up
Your mind is going 100 mph. Your heart is racing and your muscles get tense. You feel a knot in your stomach or in your throat. Your thoughts begin to spiral and suddenly you feel so overwhelmed and out of control. Anxiety can feel like it takes complete control over us and there’s nothing we…
-
Holistic therapy: Hierbabuena Tea for Stress & Pain
When we think about expanding pathways to healing by exploring holistic and cultural knowledge, I want to share with you one of my grandmother’s indigenous healing practice using a natural herb that has medicinal properties for the mind and body. Hierbabuena (good herb) is a very powerful herbal plant that is beneficial in alleviating pain…
-
3 Tips to use in an Anxiety Spiral
Have you ever felt like you have a million thoughts racing in your mind? And it seems you can’t control it? Have you felt completely overwhelmed, panicked, unbalanced and can’t seem to “get a handle” on your thoughts? You might find yourself thinking about something very distressing. You might worry about something unpleasant over and…
-
Embrace your queerness
For many of us folx in the LGBTQIA+ community, embracing your queerness isn’t always the easiest (or the safest) thing to do. Perhaps, folx have gone through experiences in their lives where it was unquestionably, unacceptable to express themselves in their authentic ways and instead needed to hide aspects of who they are. The truth…
-
Try This: Lion’s Breath
Breathwork can help ease anxiety or nervousness, improve focus and attention, and can help regulate the nervous system. Lion’s breath, is one of my favorite breathwork techniques because it feels so powerful and leaves me feeling energized and empowered. It also helps to stretch the muscles in your face, neck, and throat in order to…
-
A different way to look at “Self-care”
At this point in the post-pandemic era, we have probably all heard a lot about “self-care”. Whether it’s your company or supervisor telling you how important self-care is to combat burnout or your friends posting about their latest manicures or shopping splurges with the caption: “doing some self-care,” we have all heard about it. As…
Michelle Zaragoza, LCSW 