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The Pressure of The ‘BER’ Months

Now that we are solidly into the ‘ber’ months, the pressure seems to have increased to absolutely love Fall. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good cozy fall sweater (let’s be honest, it’s a cardigan, I live in cardigans) and a latte just as much as the next person, but the love of Fall now seems to be more of a trend than authenticity. Maybe I’m wrong, and Fall lovers were always there to this extent, but it does seem like suddenly EVERYONE LOVES Fall and feels the need to complete a boat load of Fall activities. If that’s your thing, then great! But if it isn’t really your thing and you’re following along to ‘fit in’, then all this is doing is creating more stress and expectations for yourself to follow the trends and maintain an impossible level of excitement. It’s as if there is now a level of ‘fallness’ folks are expected to maintain – enjoying cozy sweaters or fun Halloween parties is no longer enough. This time of year can be challenging as the colder temperatures come in. This is ...
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Music and Your Mental Health

Music is often deeply embedded into our day-to-day lives, and its relevance and integration has stood the test of time and existed for centuries. Engaging with music can either be an independent activity or something you can do with others.  Whether you’re playing instruments, singing in the shower, creating your own tunes, joining a choir/band, or listening to your favourite albums, music often shows up at home and in your community.    When it comes to mental well-being, engaging with music can support in a variety of different ways, including:    Reducing anxiety and managing stress   Improving mood and emotional regulation   Decreasing pain and increasing comfort   Supporting cognitive and memory processes   Processing trauma    Addressing self-esteem, feelings of success, and empowerment   Strengthening social connections, meaning making, and identity development   (Alberts et al., 2017; de Witt...
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Navigating Caring for an Aging Loved One

Every day, individuals may find themselves stepping into new caregiving roles, whether gradually or suddenly. This may involve assisting parents, spouses, and other loved ones in managing changes related to illness, memory loss, and overall changes in their functioning. As Rosalynn Carter once said, “There are only 4 kinds of people in the world: Those who have been caregivers, those who are currently caregivers, those who will be caregivers, and those who will need caregivers.” Caregivers often wear many “hats”, from coordinating logistics (e.g., appointments, meals) to offering companionship and emotional support, and much more. Depending on the type of relationship between the caregiver and the care recipient, there may be a distinct shift in roles (e.g., a child becomes the caregiver for their parent). As your loved one’s needs evolve, so can the demands of the care tasks. Entering into a caregiving role can be an act of love and devotion, while also potentially leading to feelin...
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Helping Students Navigate the Expectations of Grade 12

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Ah, another September, another group of teenagers being presented with the question, “Aren’t you excited for graduation?!” Grade 12 students very quickly become bombarded with a slew of questions and comments that imply they are supposed to be super-de-duper excited and have their whole entire life figured out: You must be looking forward to graduating! What are you wearing for prom/grad? What universities are you applying to? What do you want to study? What are you doing after graduation? Where do you plan to work? Your parents must be so proud of you! You’re too smart to take a gap year! Although folks have good intentions by these comments and questions, these kinds of interactions tend to have a negative effect on teens. Being spoken to this way can suggest to them that there is one appropriate or “right” way to feel about graduating and that they MUST have everything figured out right away. Additionally, they may feel that if they don’t have their next steps clearl...
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Understanding Polyvagal Informed Therapy

Polyvagal Informed Therapy: How It Works Polyvagal Informed Therapy is an approach that focuses on the powerful link between our nervous system and emotional well-being. At Curio Counselling in Calgary, we incorporate polyvagal principles into our therapy sessions, offering a unique, body-centred approach to support healing from trauma, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. In this blog, we’ll dive into what polyvagal-informed therapy is, how it works, and how it can support individuals looking to regain a sense of safety, balance, and resilience. What Is Polyvagal Informed Therapy? Polyvagal Informed Therapy is based on Dr. Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, which examines how our nervous system responds to stress and shapes our behaviours, emotions, and relationships. The Polyvagal Theory suggests that our autonomic nervous system—specifically the vagus nerve—controls how we respond to safety, danger, and life’s challenges. This theory highlights three primary states: Ve...
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What Are The Major Causes of Depression?

Where Does Depression Stem From? Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions affecting individuals worldwide. It’s not simply a matter of feeling sad or down for a short period; depression can profoundly impact a person’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding the causes of depression can be crucial in identifying the best treatment and support. In this blog, we’ll explore the major causes of depression, addressing both biological and environmental factors, and encourage anyone struggling to reach out for help .  What is Depression? Before diving into the causes, it’s important to understand what depression is. Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It can also affect a person physically, leading to changes in appetite, sleep patterns, energy levels, and concentration. Depression is more than just feeling sad—it’s a complex mental h...
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Calgary Counsellors - Curio Counselling Calgary

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Curio Counselling 1414 8 St SW Suite 200, Calgary, AB T2R 1J6, Canada +14032430303
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