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5 Habits for a Calmer Day

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  Every time your phone buzzes, your body reacts, even if you don’t consciously notice it. A quick spike of adrenaline. A flicker of alertness. Your nervous system can’t tell the difference between a true emergency and a notification. When this happens all day, your body stays in a low-level stress response, tense, distracted, and on edge. That’s why turning off notifications isn’t just about focus; it’s about regulation. When you choose when to check your phone, you give your body permission to slow down. Your breath deepens. Your shoulders drop. Your mind quiets. Small changes like this are how you begin to move from constant reactivity to calm awareness. 🌿 ✨ At Life By Design Therapy ™, we help you reconnect with your body’s cues and find rhythms that support nervous system. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

Happy Veteran’s Day!

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  Today, we pause to honor and thank all veterans for their courage, resilience, and selfless service. Your sacrifices have shaped our nation’s story and continue to remind us of the strength found in dedication, community, and compassion. To every veteran, past and present, we are deeply grateful for your service. Happy Veteran’s Day! https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/

Anxiety Counseling in Berkeley CA

  If your mind never seems to rest, it doesn’t mean something is wrong with you. Anxiety has a way of convincing us that we’re failing when really, it’s your body working hard to protect you. When peace feels far away, it doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means your nervous system is doing its best to keep you safe. The shift comes when we stop fighting ourselves and start meeting those moments with gentleness. ✨ Slow down. Inhale. Exhale. This moment is enough. You are enough. 💬 Share this with someone who needs the reminder today. You don’t have to carry anxiety alone. https://www.lifebydesigntherapy.com/anxiety-therapy

Life by Design Therapy

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  Do you ever wonder what happened to the days when it felt like we had more time? We used to have built-in transitions like commercial breaks between shows, quiet drives without constant notifications, and slow internet that made us wait (and breathe) for a moment. We had pauses, natural breaks, and moments of togetherness that helped our bodies reset. Now, everything is instant. Every gap in our day gets filled…checking messages while waiting in line, scrolling while the coffee brews, or rushing straight from one task to the next. Without realizing it, our nervous systems rarely get a chance to exhale. What’s missing isn’t more hours, it’s transitions. Those small pauses between what was and what’s next are where we recalibrate, reconnect, and remember how to be present. ✨ Take a few deep breaths before diving into what’s next. ✨ Step outside after work before shifting into home life. ✨ Give yourself permission to do nothing for a moment. When we honor transitions, our days beg...

Transitions To Reduce Stress

  I didn’t realize how much I had filled every quiet moment, checking emails while waiting, scrolling while the coffee brewed, listening to something during every walk. I called it “being efficient,” but what I’d really lost was the ability to be still. That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions , the small pauses that help you close one moment before stepping into the next. Here are five transitions that changed everything for me: 🌿 The Morning Transition — Begin the day without input. Just breathe and arrive in your body before the noise starts. 🌿 Transition Rituals — Mark the end of one thing and the start of another (washing your hands, lighting a candle, taking three breaths). 🌿 Pauses in Conversation — Let silence exist. It deepens connection and slows your nervous system. 🌿 Unscheduled Time — Leave open space in your day — that’s where your nervous system rests and creativity returns. 🌿 Turn Off Notifications — Protect your peace by deciding...

Teen Stress Therapy in Berkeley

  Did you know nearly 60% of students report feeling stressed every day ? For many teens, that stress doesn’t sound like “I’m overwhelmed.” It looks like pulling away, staying in their room, snapping back, or sleeping more than usual. Beneath those behaviors is often a nervous system trying to keep up with the constant pressure of school, social media, and expectations from every direction. As parents, one of the most powerful things you can do is shift from correction to connection . Your teen doesn’t need you to fix everything; they need to feel seen, safe, and supported. Here are a few ways to help: ✨ Create space beyond screens. Invite your teen into moments that pull them into real life, like cooking together, taking a drive, or just sitting side by side. ✨ Support authentic self-expression. Show interest in what lights them up, even if it’s not your thing. Feeling understood builds confidence. ✨ Notice and celebrate everyday joys. Remind them that even on hard days, moment...

Individuals' Mental Health Therapy

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  I recently realized I had lost the ability to be still. Waiting for the coffee to brew? I’d scroll my phone. Walking to the car? I’d put on a YouTube video. Five minutes before a meeting? I’d squeeze in emails. Every corner of my day got filled with something…some kind of noise, some kind of input. At first, I thought this was a good thing. I was being efficient, right? Maximizing every spare moment. But beneath the surface, it felt different. I started noticing a strange unease. Everything on my list felt urgent, but none of it felt meaningful. I was moving through life on autopilot, checking boxes without truly experiencing anything. That’s when it hit me: I had removed all the open space in my day. And without those moments, there was no room left to think, to be present, or to feel grounded. That realization led me to what I now call intentional transitions . To learn 5 simple transitions to shift from overwhelmed to present, click the link in my bio to read the full blog! h...