Health as a Guide
Stephanie Strouth • June 27, 2025
Have you ever tried snowboarding? How about in your 30s? Well… that’s an experience I’d like to discuss with you today.
I deal with vasovagal syncope which causes symptoms including briefly losing vision, sometimes fully passing out, drained energy, confusion, etc. when triggers occur. The easiest way to trigger an episode is for me to get overheated and do squats. Now… let’s set the scene.
It’s 40* outside. I had two pairs of socks, pants, 2 tops, a toboggan, face mask, and goggles with snow pants and a ski jacket on too. I’d never snowboarded before (although I’m a decent skier). Read: I fell down… a lot! Have you ever tried standing up with a snowboard attached to your feet? It’s not easy (kudos to all the boarders out there)! I essentially did a bunch of sit ups, very quickly, causing most of the above symptoms. They happened over and over until I finally realized… I needed to stop.
At that point, there were two ways to view the situation:
1.) I had failed.
2.) I was respecting my body and its limits by listening to it.
Notice how differently those messages hit. Notice what happens in your body when you read each. A simple change in mindset can reframe an entire situation.
Sometimes in life, we’re going to face challenges. Sometimes, we will need to listen to our bodies, or our gut, or our heart, and we will need to stop. Our culture so often tells us to go, then go, and then go some more. Push yourself. Ignore how you feel. Go until you are completely depleted of energy. It’s easy for us to get trapped in feeling like failures or not good enough when those are the messages we’ve received for years!
Let’s start listening to our bodies. Maybe it’s okay to push yourself, but also pace the push. We don’t have to do everything right now in this world of instant gratification. Pace, build slow. Take your time and listen to your body along the way.
As for me, I might try snowboarding again one day, but it won’t be for an entire day, and it definitely won’t be a day when the bunny slope is crowded again. I will pace the push!
Loneliness is not always about being physically alone. You can have family, friends, coworkers, or people around you every day and still feel emotionally disconnected. You may participate in conversations, attend gatherings, and stay busy while quietly feeling like no one truly knows what you are experiencing. Emotional loneliness can happen when you do not feel understood, supported, or comfortable sharing what is really going on. You may worry about burdening others, feel like you always have to appear okay, or struggle to put your feelings into words. Over time, this can create distance even in relationships that matter to you. Stress, anxiety, depression, grief, relationship difficulties, and major life changes can also contribute to feelings of isolation. When you are struggling internally, connecting with others may require more energy, and you may find yourself withdrawing even when part of you wants connection. Therapy can provide a space where you can talk openly without having to pretend that everything is fine. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to explore feelings of loneliness, understand relationship patterns, and develop healthier ways to communicate and connect. Feeling lonely does not mean you are alone in what you are experiencing. Meaningful connection often begins with having a safe place to be honest. Support can help you feel more understood, more connected, and less isolated in what you are carrying. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Not every stressful life change is a negative one. Starting a new job, moving into a new home, getting married, becoming a parent, beginning school, or reaching an important goal can all be exciting experiences. They can also bring unexpected stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. Positive changes still require adjustment. Your routines may change, new responsibilities may appear, relationships may shift, and you may find yourself navigating situations you have never experienced before. It is possible to feel grateful and excited about a new season while also feeling overwhelmed by it. Sometimes people feel guilty when a positive experience affects their mental health. You may think you should only be happy or that feeling anxious means you are not appreciating what is happening. But emotions are rarely that simple. Excitement and anxiety can exist together, and adjusting to something new can take time. Therapy can provide a supportive place to process the emotions that come with major life transitions. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to explore concerns, manage stress, and develop tools for navigating change with greater confidence and emotional balance. You do not have to wait for something to go wrong before seeking support. Even good changes can be difficult to navigate, and having someone to walk alongside you during a new season can make the transition feel more manageable. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Some mornings begin with a sense of exhaustion before the day has really started. You may wake up already thinking about work, responsibilities, conversations, appointments, or everything waiting on your to-do list. Instead of feeling rested and ready for the day, your mind may immediately feel busy and overwhelmed. Mental exhaustion in the morning can happen when stress has been building for a long time. Even while you sleep, worries and emotional pressure do not necessarily disappear. If you have been dealing with anxiety, burnout, depression, relationship stress, or ongoing responsibilities, it may feel like your mind never completely gets a break. Starting each day this way can affect motivation, patience, focus, and mood. Tasks that normally feel manageable may require more energy, and you may find yourself simply trying to make it through the day rather than feeling present in it. Therapy can help you explore what may be contributing to ongoing mental exhaustion. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to better understand their stress, emotions, and thought patterns while developing healthier ways to cope with daily pressure. Feeling mentally tired before the day begins does not mean you are lazy or unmotivated. It may be a sign that you have been carrying more than your mind has had time to process. Support can help you begin creating more space for rest, balance, and emotional wellness. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Feeling overextended can happen when too many responsibilities, expectations, and emotions are pulling on you at once. You may be trying to manage work, family, relationships, appointments, finances, and personal stress while still trying to keep up with daily life. Over time, this can leave you feeling stretched thin and emotionally exhausted. When you are overextended, it can be hard to know what to prioritize. You may feel pressure to keep saying yes, keep pushing forward, or keep meeting everyone else’s needs before your own. Even when you know you need rest or support, slowing down may feel difficult. Being overextended can affect more than your schedule. It can impact your mood, sleep, motivation, focus, patience, and overall sense of well-being. You may start to feel disconnected from yourself or unsure how to create space for your own needs. Therapy can provide support during seasons when life feels too full. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to explore stress, boundaries, emotional needs, and healthier ways to cope with responsibility. Support can help you begin finding balance without having to figure everything out alone. You deserve care, even when life is busy. If you feel overextended, your mental health matters, and support is available. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Stress can change the way you respond to everyday life. You may notice that you are losing patience more quickly, feeling irritated by small things, or reacting more strongly than you normally would. This can feel discouraging, especially when you care about the people around you and do not want stress to affect your relationships. When stress builds over time, your emotional capacity can become stretched thin. Things that used to feel manageable may start to feel frustrating or overwhelming. A small inconvenience, a change in plans, or a difficult conversation may feel heavier because your mind and body are already carrying so much pressure. Feeling less patient does not mean you are a bad person. It may mean you are overwhelmed, tired, anxious, burned out, or in need of more support. Irritability can sometimes be a signal that something deeper needs attention. Therapy can help you understand what may be underneath changes in patience, mood, or emotional reactions. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can talk through stressors, explore emotional patterns, and develop healthier ways to manage difficult moments. You do not have to judge yourself for feeling more reactive than usual. Support can help you better understand what you are experiencing and begin responding to life with more clarity, calm, and compassion. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Starting over emotionally can feel difficult. You may want to feel better, think differently, set healthier boundaries, rebuild confidence, or move forward from a difficult season, but change can still feel overwhelming. Even when you know you are ready for something different, it can be hard to know where to begin. Emotional patterns often develop over time. The ways you cope, respond, protect yourself, or manage stress may have helped you get through past seasons. But sometimes the same patterns that once helped you survive begin to feel limiting, exhausting, or unhealthy. Recognizing that something needs to change can be the first step, but it does not always make the process easy. Starting over emotionally does not mean you have to become a completely different person. It may mean learning how to respond to stress in healthier ways, understanding your needs more clearly, processing emotions you have been carrying, or allowing yourself to receive support instead of trying to handle everything alone. Therapy can help make that process feel more manageable. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can explore what has been weighing on them, identify patterns that may no longer be serving them, and begin building tools for healthier emotional wellness. You do not have to have the full path figured out before you begin. Starting over can begin with one honest conversation and one supported step forward. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Many people carry more than they ever say out loud. You may be managing work, family, responsibilities, stress, and emotional pressure while still showing up and doing what needs to be done. From the outside, it may look like you are handling everything well, but inside, you may feel tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched thin. It can be difficult to talk about what you are carrying, especially when you are used to being strong or dependable. You may worry that others will not understand, or you may feel unsure how to explain what you are feeling. Sometimes it feels easier to say you are fine than to admit that life has started to feel heavy. But carrying everything quietly can take a toll over time. Stress that goes unspoken can begin to affect your mood, sleep, focus, patience, motivation, and relationships. Even if you are still functioning, your mental health may still need support and care. Therapy can provide a safe place to talk through what you have been holding inside. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers who listen with compassion and help them better understand what they are experiencing. Support can help you process emotions, identify stress patterns, and build healthier ways to cope. You do not have to keep carrying more than you say. Your feelings matter, and support is available when you are ready to begin. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, Pennington Gap, & Bristol, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Wanting support and knowing where to begin are not always the same thing. You may recognize that you feel anxious, overwhelmed, emotionally drained, stuck, or unlike yourself, but still feel unsure about what the next step should be. Starting therapy or medication management can feel intimidating when you do not know what to expect. Many people delay reaching out because they feel like they need to understand their emotions first. They may worry about what to say, whether their concerns are serious enough, or whether they will be able to explain what is happening clearly. But you do not need perfect words to begin receiving support. Mental health care is a place to start sorting through what feels confusing, heavy, or difficult to manage. Therapy can help you better understand your thoughts, emotions, stressors, and patterns. Medication management may also be part of care for some individuals, depending on their needs and goals. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals are met with compassion as they begin their mental health journey. Whether you are seeking therapy, medication management, or both, support can be personalized to where you are right now. You do not have to know exactly where to begin. The first step can simply be reaching out, starting the conversation, and allowing support to help guide the next step forward. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
Sometimes emotional weight builds so gradually that you do not notice how heavy it has become. You may adjust to stress little by little, telling yourself that you are fine, that life is just busy, or that things will feel better once the next responsibility is behind you. Over time, carrying too much can begin to feel normal. When you are used to pushing through, it can be difficult to recognize the signs that your mental health needs support. You may notice that you are more irritable, more tired, less motivated, more anxious, or less able to enjoy things that usually bring comfort. You may struggle to rest, focus, or feel present, but still convince yourself that you should be able to keep going. One reason this can be hard to see is because many people continue functioning while they are overwhelmed. They go to work, care for others, complete tasks, and meet expectations, even while feeling emotionally drained inside. Functioning can sometimes hide how much someone is truly carrying. Therapy can help you slow down and take an honest look at what has been weighing on you. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can work with providers to better understand their stress, emotions, and patterns in a safe and supportive space. Support can help you recognize what needs attention and begin building healthier ways to move forward. You do not have to wait until the weight becomes unbearable. If you have been carrying more than you realized, support is available. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
There are seasons when you may feel like you are constantly trying to hold yourself together. You may be showing up for work, caring for others, managing responsibilities, and doing what needs to be done, while internally feeling tired, anxious, overwhelmed, or emotionally stretched thin. From the outside, it may seem like you are doing okay, but inside you may feel like you are barely keeping up. Trying to hold yourself together can become exhausting when there is no space to rest, process, or receive support. You may feel pressure to stay calm, keep functioning, and avoid letting others see how much you are carrying. Over time, that pressure can affect your mood, patience, focus, sleep, and overall sense of well-being. Being able to keep going does not mean you are not struggling. Many people continue functioning while carrying deep stress, anxiety, sadness, burnout, or emotional exhaustion. Your ability to push through does not make your feelings any less real. Therapy can provide a space where you do not have to hold everything together alone. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, individuals can talk openly with providers who listen with compassion and help them better understand what they are experiencing. Therapy can help you process emotions, identify stress patterns, and build healthier ways to cope. You deserve support before you reach a breaking point. If you feel like you are always trying to hold yourself together, your mental health deserves care and attention. At Anchoring Hope Counseling: We Accept Most Insurances Therapy & Mental Health Medication Management 24/7 Access To Our Wellness App Telehealth Option Available For VA Residents Physical Locations in Abingdon, Wise, & Pennington Gap, VA 📞 Call us or visit our site for a free consult today: (276) 298-5034 | www.ahchope.com
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We understand that true healing involves more than just the time spent in session. That's why we provide our clients with awesome extras designed to enhance your overall experience. From tools to manage everyday stress to special offers that promote relaxation and wellness, our perks are crafted to meet your unique needs. At Anchoring Hope Counseling, we’re here to ensure that your path to well-being is as smooth and supportive as possible. With us, you have access to:
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