How To Cope With Inflation Stress, According To Mental Health Experts

Inflation is at a 40-year high, and it's hard not to worry or feel anxious about the cost of living, unexpected bills and more.

You are probably well aware that inflation is the highest it’s been in decades. It seems that everything is more expensive right now, from groceries to utility bills to new cars.

And not only is inflation daunting, but some experts have warned about a possible recessionnext year, which makes us even more worried about the uncertainty that lies ahead. (Oh, and not to mention that we are still living in a pandemic.)…

Do Any of These Sound Familiar? 12 Signs You’re in a Situationship: Therapists get real about what your blinders may be shutting out.

Here’s a little piece…

3. The general sentiment is one of ambivalence

“A key ingredient to a situationship is ambivalence—strong feelings one way or another in terms of both wanting closeness and also safe distance,” says psychologist Dr. Aimee Martinez, PsyD. Feeling ambivalence is a feeling of not knowing if you want to be in a relationship or not.

“How Long Have You Been F– Nate Jacobs?”: We Asked A Therapist To Breakdown "Euphoria’s" Most Chaotic Scenes (March 2022)

"So, there’s no way for it to be truly accurate because, well, it’s a TV show."- Dr. Martinez

Since there has been some criticism and discussion around the show's depiction of addiction and teen drug use, we asked an expert to weigh in. Dr. Aimee Martinez, a licensed clinical psychologist who works with older teens and young adults, shared her thoughts below:

Will Spending Time Outdoors Reduce Stress? Here’s What Experts Think (March 2021)

If you’re feeling like you’re living in a whirlwind of stress, you’re not alone. The prolonging pandemic has worsened our stress, anxiety, and overall fear about what the future may look like. It may seem like a never-ending circle, but there are healthy ways that can help you cope with your emotions. A growing body of research suggests that an effective coping mechanism involves spending quality time outdoors.

The Best Way to Switch Tasks to Avoid Burnout (FEB 2021)

Exhaustion, feelings of cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy are all symptoms of burnout, which the World Health Organization1 calls an “organizational phenomenon.” While burnout is preventable, we’re all at risk of experiencing it. 

One of the surprising ways to avoid burnout is to add structure to your day and focus on deliberately transitioning from one activity to the next so you don’t carry your work into your personal life and your personal life into your work.

10 mental health clinicians share their resolutions for the new year (Jan 2021)

To say 2020 was just a stressful year would be an understatement. You may have had a strong start to the year, but it’s safe to say that it probably did not go the way you planned because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, as you head into a new and unpredictable year, a bright beginning may feel super appealing.

Echo spoke to 10 mental health clinicians to learn what resolutions they’re setting for a happier, healthier 2021. Here’s what they had to say.

Feeling Burned Out? Here are 7 Coping Mechanisms to Help You Recover (November 2020)

Feeling burnt out? Seven mental health experts share their favorite ways to recover from stress to take back your life.

Are you feeling mentally exhausted? You’re not alone. This year has been intense and many of us are feeling distressed, anxious, or even afraid. In short, we’re all burnt out…

Could You Be Too Dependent on Praise? Experts Share How To Start Celebrating Your Own Wins (November 2020)

Does it sound like you may perhaps be too dependent on praise? And if so, what can you do about it? Experts help to examine what a reliance on praise might look like and how to step away from it.

Psychoanalysis with Dr. Aimee Martinez (fall 2020)

Tune in to episode 9 where Maryellen interviews her first guest, Dr. Aimee Martinez, a clinical associate in training to become a certified psychoanalyst. Dr. Martinez received her Master’s and Doctorate education at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. In this episode, Maryellen and Dr. Martinez dive into psychoanalysis, what it is and who it can benefit. 

15 Things Therapists Do When They're Anxious Watching The Debates (Fall 2020)

Here are mental health experts' tips for addressing anxiety and practicing self-care during election season (because even the pros need help right now).Presidential debate season is a critical and high-stress period during this election season. It’s normal to feel worried while watching, as we grapple with the uncertainty of the country’s future and who will become the next president.

Is using too many emojis a sign of depression? 

We tapped licensed clinical psychologist and psychoanalyst in training, Dr. Aimee Martinez, for the rundown on mental health in the digital age. She weighs in on quarantine depression, doom scrolling and why it’s crucial to set healthy boundaries with social media.

Fighting About the Dishes? It Might Be About Something Else: Underlying anxieties often erupt over household chores. (Summer 2020)

Many partners, roommates, and family members are experiencing increased frustration and irritation since the lockdown began. Issues and challenges that existed B.C. (Before COVID) are now exaggerated by the drawn-out uncertainty of not knowing when things will go back to normal.

What Is “Insta-Therapy”? Instagram is not therapy but it can be part of the process

A recent New York Times article, Instagram Therapists Are the New Instagram Poets, had many therapists who use Instagram in their practices talking. All agreed Instagram is not a substitute for therapy, but there’s a place for it in the therapeutic process. It can be especially helpful for people who otherwise might not have access to such information — an amuse-bouche to whet one’s therapeutic appetite before tasting the full experience…

5 Toxic Behaviors In Relationships That Push People Away

No one’s perfect. Even the kindest, most laid-back individuals have flawed moments. But, at what point do said moments enter “toxic behavior” territory and consistently impact your relationships (both romantic and otherwise)?…

While it’s always important to get a professional opinion, your problems could be rooted in one (or more) toxic patterns. Ahead, three experts reveal the five most common ones that can and will transform into a lifelong issue, if they go unidentified…