When you have a mental illness, a relapse prevention plan is key to happiness and bliss (Is A Mental Illness Relapse Part of Recovery?). You should always have a mental illness relapse prevention plan established.

The New Year brings the opportunity for lots of shame triggers. Do you feel overweight? Underpaid? Messy? It is important to know and identify your shame triggers so you can live a happy life—free of the grip of shame (Perfectionism And Self-Esteem).

I am a big fan of setting New Year's goals that lead you to happiness. Over the years I’ve found methods that have helped me be successful in setting realistic new year’s resolutions. And reaching healthy goals is a great way to enhance genuine happiness. Achieving goals is also a great way to build confidence, so this year, let your New Year's goals lead you to happiness.

As the New Year approaches, I realize how much I want organized living to a part of my life in 2016. Almost all of my stressful moments occur, to some degree, as a result of my disorganized life. I want to use organized living as a tool for happiness in 2016.

I have to work hard to relax my mind because if I don’t, it just keeps spinning and often wanders into some irrational thought. Lately, I’ve discovered that play helps relax my mind more than almost anything else.

I recently jumped on the adult coloring book bandwagon to find they help relieve anxiety and depression and now there is no turning back. Adult coloring books have been a great way for me to decrease my anxiety and even lessen symptoms of depression. So why should you try adult coloring books? Here are my thoughts.

Most of us need some holiday stress reduction tips at this time of the year. Let’s face it—the holidays are full of stress. If you have a mental illness the stress typically just intensifies so try to maintain your bliss with these holiday stress reduction tips.

Sleep deprivation is the number one thing keeps me from bliss. But I’ve learned that I don’t have to live a sleep-deprived life. When I follow the tips listed in this blog, I’m able to not let sleep deprivation deprive me of bliss.

Fall has always been my favorite season because I love all of the fun, fall activities. For a while I worried that fall might be a season full of triggers (Pushing Aside Daily Mental Health Triggers Is Tough). In September of 2005 I spent a week in inpatient treatment after my bipolar diagnosis. I worried that fall wouldn’t be as festive or fun for me anymore and that it might instead be a reminder of the trials I faced with my diagnosis. But I have found bliss though fun, fall activities.

Last Friday I found myself searching for every stress relief tool I had (Stress Busters: 22 Ways To Be Kind To Yourself). Someone had stolen my car while I was sleeping the night before. I desperately wanted to stay relaxed and peaceful in the midst of the chaos. I needed some stress relief, and I needed it now.