Chocolates and Tissues

    A blog about mental health, finding joy, and living life to its fullest.

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    Chocolates & Tissues

    Two things that almost always help improve a bad or sad mood are chocolates and tissues. I keep both in my office and often have visitors stop by just to pick up a piece of chocolate.

    • Self-care in the new year

      Do you worry about everyone else before you even begin to think about your own needs and your own self-care? I find myself slipping into that rut and this year I want to be better about putting my needs first. The problem is that for the most part, I really enjoy taking care of others.…

      Read more: Self-care in the new year

    • New Year’s is a Time for Goals, not Resolutions

                How many of us make New Year’s resolutions only to get to the end of January and realize we have already quit trying? Making resolutions is mentally exhausting and can lead to increased depression at the beginning of each year. Dr. Lindsey Israel (2019) writes, “It’s time to have hope that this year will…

      Read more: New Year’s is a Time for Goals, not Resolutions

    • New Year’s Eve…party or home?

      I can probably count on one hand the number of New Year’s Eve nights that I have actually gone out. This year I am spending New Year’s Eve at home by myself. My husband took a week-long trip to visit his sister and her family for Christmas. My daughter and grandson are with her husband’s…

      Read more: New Year’s Eve…party or home?

    • It’s Christmas Eve

      I think Christmas Eve is my favorite day of the year. As a child, I loved the anticipation that Dec. 24 brought to my house. At my house, I remember doing fun things during the day—playing outside in the snow, making a batch of sugar cookies, and turning on the outside Christmas lights. In those…

      Read more: It’s Christmas Eve

    • Life in the Holiday Fast Lane

      As we plummet into the final days before Christmas, which I refer to as life in the holiday fast lane, I can’t help but stop to think about all the people who are struggling this week. I did errands today amongst the increased traffic, crowds of people in the stores, and crying children shopping with…

      Read more: Life in the Holiday Fast Lane

    • Friendships

      Have you ever thought about the friendships that have shaped your life? Throughout my life I have had some great friends. I remember one friend in particular from my young motherhood phase of life. I was heartbroken when her husband got a new job and they moved to another state. She was my go-to friend…

      Read more: Friendships

    • Two-year-olds

      Today my youngest grandson had a holiday performance at his school. The two-year-olds were so cute dressed in their holiday sweaters, dresses, and reindeer antlers. Some of the children really got into singing the songs. Others just looked out at the audience. Some left the stage and ran to their parents for a quick hug…

      Read more: Two-year-olds

    • Santa or Ba-Humbug

      Are you a perpetual Santa or Ba-Humbug? I am sure we all know people who fall into either category. In my family, I am a Santa and my husband is a Grinch. We had very different childhoods that shaped our adult holiday traditions. Additionally, the other day I was suggesting to my daughter that when…

      Read more: Santa or Ba-Humbug

    • When the Dust Settles

      Do you ever find yourself on autopilot as you plow through your normal schedule to meet deadlines? The last two weeks have been really busy. The end of the semester is always a hectic time for an educator. Once the last grade is entered, when the dust settles, I can feel my body begin to…

      Read more: When the Dust Settles

    • Transitions

      Life events. Situations that make us stronger. Things that are difficult. Growth. Good things. Endings. New beginnings. These all lead to transitions. Yesterday I attended the pinning ceremony for my 4th semester nursing students. Today was graduation. I love going to pinning because it is such a big celebration of the journey towards becoming a…

      Read more: Transitions

    Meet the Blogger

    Lenore Cortez, MSN, RN, PMH-BC

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    This site is not a replacement for professional help. If you are experiencing a psychiatric emergency please dial 911. If you need to talk to someone call Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): (800) 662-4357. SAMHSA runs a 24-hour mental health hotline that provides education, support, and connections to treatment.

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