In the language of Freud, defense mechanisms are the unconscious things we do to deal with difficult emotion or stress. They are kind of like absent-minded coping skills, and we all use them. They’re natural and normal. They help us deal with life struggles. But, just like coping skills, defense mechanisms come in different flavors. […]
Defense Mechanisms: What would you do?
Picture this scenario: You’re a college student. You’ve been working very hard on a paper for class when Don, another student, steals the paper and presents it to the professor himself. The professor is impressed with Don and gives him an A, then dings you for copying him. You can’t prove that you’re the original […]
How to relax your muscles
Muscle relaxation can be helpful for anxiety, as well as for anger, stress, insomnia, and agitation. People with stress or anxiety often feel so keyed up during the day that they don’t even remember what it’s like to be calm. Muscle relaxation exercises release the tension in the muscles and help a person relax, lowering […]