Imagine there’s a cup of water balanced on your head. That cup represents all the stress you carry around with you: the family arguments, traffic, a work deadline, looming bills, the kids bickering, the crack in your phone screen. Everywhere you go, your smile, your stability, your joy, requires you to balance that cup of stress on your head.

Now imagine that you are stepping into a karate studio, and as you bow as you enter, you pour out all that stress. The cup is still on your head and now it is empty. The cup is then filled with all the good experiences from class: knowledge, strength, smiles, friendship, courage.

On the way out, you are welcome to refill the cup with all of the stress, but the hope is that there isn’t quite as much room for it.

This tradition,...

Caring for a loved one can be an immensely rewarding experience, but it comes with its share of challenges. Caregiver burnout is a common concern among those who devote themselves to the well-being of others. In this guide, we'll explore the various aspects of caregiver burnout, its signs, and most importantly, how to find balance amidst the responsibilities.

Caregiver burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion often accompanied by a change in attitude. The constant demands of caregiving can take a toll, impacting the caregiver's overall well-being. It's crucial to recognize the signs early on to prevent burnout from escalating.

Caregivers may experience fatigue, changes in sleep patterns, or even physical ailments due to the constant strain....

What is Marital Intimacy?

Intimacy is the closeness of your relationship with your spouse—emotionally, spiritually, intellectually, sexually, and in many other ways. Intimacy is not an end goal but rather a journey that last throughout your marriage. Marriage and family researchers, Schaefer and Olson (1981) describe attaining intimacy as “a process that occurs over time and is never completed or fully accomplished” (p.50).

As you both grow and develop, each of you changes. If you neglect intimacy in your marriage, you will grow apart. The time to work on intimacy is now. Let Higgins Counseling Services partner with you along that journey, to offer, support, insight, tips and suggestion that will create a healthy and delightful...

The fast paced World does not always allow for those who need help to slow down and ask for it. The stress of everyday life can take a toll on our bodies, mind, and spirituality. When stress is left unaddressed it can take a happy person and change them into something else. Higgins Counseling Services, a marriage & family therapist in Boynton Beach can help with advice and counseling.

While most counseling professionals would love to be able to help face-to-face, we know that is not always an option. For those who are suffering from stress and it’s ill effects, here are some at-home stress management techniques:

1. Deep breathing: close your eyes, focus on breathing deeply to relax your mind and body.
2. Get organized: manage your time closely. When you have a...

Stress is a natural emotional response. Some types of stress are positive and others can be quite negative. Each person has their own way to deal with the effects of everyday stress. Some of these are healthy and some, not so healthy. Did you know that excess stress levels can affect your overall health from the immune system to emotional health?

Small amounts of stress are quite natural and were developed in our ancestors as a “fight or flight” response. Chronic stress levels can begin to affect how you live your life. The body and the mind are negatively affected when stress levels stay high for an extended time period.

It is well documented that chronic stress has a negative impact on the body. According to the...