Category: Behavioral Health

When it comes to hunger, can you tell the difference between a psychological need for comfort and a biological need for nourishment? Emotional hunger can be quite powerful. As a result, it is easy to mistake it for physical hunger. And, let’s be honest—eating is an easier and simpler solution than meeting complex psychological needs. … Read More

“Within dysfunction, there is function.” This is one of my favorite lines in psychology, from Marsha Linehan, PhD, the founder of Dialectical Behavior Therapy. This line, so simply stated, says so much. It tells us that behaviors that appear dysfunctional, harmful, wrong, negative, abnormal, etc., have their own functional purpose underneath the unhealthy and possibly ”destructive”’ … Read More

What are your go-to strategies for managing stress in your life? Training in stress management techniques have long been a part of the Structure House program because handling stress effectively is a critical skill for the promotion of healthy living, which leads to a healthy weight. We surveyed Structure House staff to learn how they … Read More

Joe, the carpenter, is working on a house renovation project. The day’s tasks will involve sawing wood, drilling holes, and sanding finishes. When he opens his toolbox, he discovers all he has is a hammer. If he tried to do the tasks with just the hammer, the job would become a disaster. Now imagine Carol, … Read More

“This will be the year!” you tell yourself. The year that you finally start eating right, exercising, and losing those unwanted pounds for good. January 1 arrives and you are off to a strong start. However, by February 15, you feel defeated, frustrated, and entirely unmotivated to continue. Sound familiar? You are not alone. Motivation … Read More

Before those winter blues get you down prepare for this common mood monster and develop a strategy to beat the cold weather doldrums. As the days grow shorter and the temperatures get lower, some simple shifts in your behavior can help you avoid seeking comfort in food to get through the winter months. Trigger #1: … Read More

Breaking the Stress Eating Cycle The newspaper ad in my local newspaper went something like this: “Stress and weight gain: Can stress make you fat? When you are stressed out, you may find it more difficult to maintain healthy eating habits. Some people may eat in an attempt to fulfill emotional needs during a stressful time.” The … Read More

With the outdoors potentially less inviting and the days darker, the stage is set for winter weight gain. But don’t give up hope and dive into a bulky sweater just yet. A few simple shifts in behavior can make it easier to prevent the typical winter weight gain. Problem: It’s cold and miserable outside. Solution … Read More

There’s one thing we all do from the moment we are born to our last second on earth: breathe. We all know how important exercise to our overall health, but breathing properly is just as important. The air we breathe contains oxygen, and when that oxygen enters our lungs, it’s transported to every cell in … Read More