What Is Mental Health? Self-Care vs. Self-Love with Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC скачать в хорошем качестве

What Is Mental Health? Self-Care vs. Self-Love with Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC

Glow For Hope: SparkingConversation on Mental Health What Is Mental Health? Self-Care vs. Self-Love with Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC Hosts: Kelly Poelker & Delisa Richardson  •  Guest: Christina Kittstein Therapist & Art Therapist  •  Category: Mental health education, suicide prevention, self-care In our first guest episode, therapist and art therapist Christina Kittstein helps demystify the foundations: what we mean by mental health, how mental wellness fits in, and the real difference between self-care and self-love—especially when you’re struggling. We talk sleep, gentle movement, emotions as messages, burnout across roles, and simple daily practices that support the brain-body connection. What You’ll Learn • Mental health vs. mental wellness: Health is your current state; wellness is your proactive plan to navigate that state day by day. • Self-care vs. self-love: Routine care can exist before self-love—and also help grow it. • Sleep matters: Nightly rest helps your brain “take out the trash” and reduce brain fog. • Whole-person care: Emotions, nervous system, nutrition, movement, and physical health are tightly linked. • Emotions as information: Feelings carry messages; when you receive the message, the feeling can move on. • Burnout is overwhelm: Boundaries and basics (sleep, food, movement) are step one—at work, home, or school. • Gentle movement counts: Mindful movement (stairs, stretching, seated curls) ＞ perfect workouts. • Nature calms the system: Ten quiet minutes outdoors—or nature sounds at night—can shift your state. Practical Takeaways Daily Basics • Pick a realistic bedtime and protect it (dim lights, fewer screens). • Add a 30-minute wind-down: light stretch → nature/brown noise → lights out. • Move gently every day; consistency beats intensity. Regulation Tools • Ground outside: bare feet on grass, 5–10 minutes of mindful listening. • Visualization: revisit a calm memory (beach, woods) using all senses. • Boundaries: one “no” today protects many “yesses” tomorrow. Guest Spotlight: Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC A licensed clinical professional counselor and board-certified art therapist, Christina integrates talk therapy with expressive arts and evidence-based modalities (CBT, DBT, IFS, EMDR) to treat trauma/complex trauma and help clients process pain, build skills, and reclaim peace. Favorite Moments “Humans are designed for connection—families, groups, communities. Isolation feeds depression; community heals.” “You can’t ‘make up’ lost sleep on Sunday. The brain needs steady, nightly maintenance.” “Emotions aren’t the enemy; they’re messengers. When we receive the message, the emotion can move on.” Resources & Related • Sleep hygiene basics (dark, cool room; consistent wind-down routine). • Nature & grounding practices; sound support for sleep (nature/brown noise). • Mindful movement for limited mobility (seated stretches, light resistance). • Visualization for nervous-system regulation. Looking for quick guides? Visit our Resources (/resources) page for printable breathing, grounding, and sleep tips (more coming soon). Next Episode Teaser Christina returns to answer the big question: “Who do I talk to?” We’ll demystify therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists so you can choose a starting point with confidence. How to Support the Show • Share this episode with someone who could use a gentle, practical reset. • Subscribe and leave a review to help others find the podcast. • Donate to fuel Glow For Hope’s community education and suicide-prevention work. Donate (/donate) More Episodes (/podcast-2) Crisis & Support If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, you are not alone. In the U.S., call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org) for free, confidential support 24/7. Outside the U.S., contact your local emergency number or a local crisis line. Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal guidance. The post What Is Ment...