Brighter Days Wellness

We all need a helping hand sometimes. There is more strength than shame in asking for help. Embrace the support, you deserve it!

Artwork by Julie Doodles

More than 55% of people don't have a happy holiday season; instead, they feel lonely and struggle through it.⁣
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Did you know!?⁣
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And that number is likely underestimated. So, if the majority of people aren't having a joyous holiday season, why on earth haven’t we created some collective space to acknowledge this reality?⁣
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If you are stuck in a cycle, please know this: you are capable of breaking out of it.

You might see these cycles in your relationships, where you find yourself caught in a predetermined role or an unhealthy dynamic. You might see it in the way that you parent or treat your loved ones, passing on what you learned from your own childhood. And you might see it in your own behavior, in the ways that you struggle to make the choices that help you to thrive.

To break a cycle, you’ll need three things: conviction, compassion, and courage. The conviction that you deserve better, the compassion for yourself and your behaviors, and the courage to make one different choice.

Learn more: https://www.thenewhappy.com/blog/how-to-break-the-cycle

I love this post by A Black Female Therapist ⁠— go follow her for more, she’s wonderful! Especially if we were raised in environments with this sort of behavior, we may feel more “capable” of tolerating it in our intimate relationships. But that doesn’t mean we have to.

Breaking the people-pleasing pattern means beginning to believe that we deserve more than the bare minimum. It means understanding reciprocity, mutuality, consideration, respect, and care as needs⁠—not just wants.

You are the guardian of your own heart. YOU get to decide what’s allowed in and what’s not. Give yourself permission to stop gritting your teeth and white-knuckling through your most intimate relationships.

There are people out there who are ready to show up for you fully⁠—but if you’re constantly spending time in relationship with those who aren’t, you’ll never have the chance to meet them. Dare to believe you are worthy of more.

If you read my posts and think, "Yes, this is what I want to embody! This is what I want to work on!" then I have an opportunity for you:

🔥 Today is the FINAL day to enroll in The Say No Club, my high-impact, 6-week group coaching program that teaches you to master the art of boundary-setting and stop settling for less.
🔥 Program begins on October 4!
🔥 Financial aid is available to those in need; message me to apply for it.
🔥 Enroll today at https://www.haileymagee.com/the-say-no-club

I’m not a regular therapist, I’m a ✨cool✨ therapist…

and since I work with teens and young adults, I have this thought about once a week. Now back to the meme 😂

POV: When you give your therapist the classic ‘I’m fine’ and she hits you with THE look... you know the one 👀😅

The therapy hour is YOUR time and space to share when you’re comfortable. No judgment (aside from the occasional 👀), just understanding and support while we work through the therapeutic process together.

Are you looking for mental health support!?

Schedule a consult with me at the 🔗 in bio or visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more about counseling and coaching sessions.

p.s. icymi, 💖

✋🏼HALT for a moment and let's talk about a quick-reference emotional wellness tool.

Have you ever found yourself in a situation where emotions are running high, and you're not quite sure how to regain control of how you're feeling? If so, allow me to introduce you to the H.A.L.T method—a valuable tool associated with Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) that can help you navigate those challenging moments.

This acronym stands for:
🍊 Hunger: Have you ever felt "hangry"? It's no surprise—low blood sugar can magnify irritability and emotional distress. Consider grabbing a healthy snack to stabilize your mood.

🤬 Anger: As fatigue sets in, our patience often wears thin. Lack of sleep can heighten feelings of anger and frustration. Prioritizing rest and sleep can lead to a calmer mindset.

😔 Loneliness: Feeling isolated or disconnected? Loneliness can trigger a cascade of emotions. Reach out to a friend, loved one, or a support group to combat isolation.

💤 Tiredness: Physical exhaustion can make emotional regulation challenging. Rest and self-care are your allies when fatigue takes a toll.

By taking a moment to pause and check in with yourself—asking, "Am I Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired?"—you'll gain insights into what your ✨emotions✨ are trying to communicate. HALT empowers you to respond mindfully rather than react impulsively.

🗳 Add this post to your mental health toolbox by saving it for later. Remember, your emotions convey more than you may realize. By giving ourselves a moment to address basic needs, we not only increase self-awareness but also improve our overall well-being.

Have you used this method before? Will you give it a try in the future? Share your thoughts in the comments! 💬

☀️ For more mental health and wellness resources, follow and visit the link in bio.

Mental health meme monday ✨

When you're fatigued because of your depression but you can't sleep because of your anxiety. Comment 😅😅😅 below if you relate!

💡 Did you know that fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of depression? Did you also know that depression is one of the most common mental health illnesses in the US?

If you are struggling with your mental health, please know that there is support available for you. Visit my website to see a list of mental health and wellness resources and services.

Our ability to tolerate distress can drastically be ✨improved✨ with this skill 😉 (See what I did there lol)

I.M.P.R.O.V.E is a DBT distress tolerance skill developed by Marsha Linehan that can help you manage difficult emotions.

This acronym stands for:
👁 Imagery - Imagine a place that helps you feel calm, safe, secure. Like a soothing beach scene or your cozy spot at your local coffee shop.
🦋 Meaning - Find meaning or purpose in the challenge your currently facing or even in your day-to-day life.
🙏🏽 Prayer - Connect with your own wise mind or a higher power if you're spiritual or religious.
🛀🏾 Relaxation - Breathe, meditate, or massage your neck or go out and get a massage, if you can.
✨One Things in the Moment - Focus on one thing at a time, other than the stressor, to help your nervous system regulate.
🏖 Vacation - Take a vacation aka a break from the current moment and go for a quick walk in your neighborhood or visit a museum to take your mind away from the stressor.
💛Encouragement - Be kind to yourself and encourage yourself like you would with a friend.

And they're all ways to help you make the present moment a little bit better and easier to tolerate!

Save this post and practice this coping skill the next time you feel stressed out. Remember, it's not about avoiding your stressors, but giving yourself a break from them until you're ready to face them with a clear mind. ✨

👉🏽 Follow for more mental health and wellness content.




Image of a beige background with brown text. The title reads 'IMPROVE Skill' and features a multi-colored table with the acronym 'IMPROVE' and its corresponding definitions and examples. The table is designed in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. The acronym stands for Imagery, Meaning, Prayer, Relaxation, One thing in the moment, Vacation, and Encouragement. Post is shared by Brittany Days of Brighter Days Wellness"

Drop a 😫😫😫 if you relate!

I'm well-acquainted with the weight of expectations, and I'm sure many of you are too. As a mental health counselor and advocate, I'm here to remind you that it's okay to acknowledge your exhaustion. It's a courageous step to recognize that you don't always have to be stronger than you feel.

Feelings are not facts.
Feelings are fleeting.

So, show yourself some extra compassion today because you deserve it.

👉🏽 If you're looking to explore your feelings and emotions so that you can move forward with your life resiliently, see the link in bio to schedule a consultation with me ☀️💛✨

When you're feeling low, it can be hard to get up each day and even the smallest of tasks can seem daunting.

As a counselor, I've seen what these feelings can lead to or what they may be indicating: depression.

Here are three coping skills to use when you're feeling low:

✅ Create a Supportive Routine w/ 4 Key Habits: Having structure can help with decision fatigue and "purpose" for the time being. Incorporate a daily dose of sunshine, movement, quality sleep, and nutrition (food, water, medications, supplements, etc.)

Having a supportive routine means working around your preferences, energy levels, and priorities while also keeping in mind the basics needed to recover from low feelings.

🛍 Develop a "Wellness Toolbox" literally or digitally: Create a list of mood-boosting activities and ideas give you a quick mood boost. You can also include time in your supportive routine to pull from your wellness toolbox.

You can get creative with this option and write down each "tool" on a strip of paper and pull from it randomly or you can make a list on paper or online.

👥Don't Isolate Yourself, Stay Connected to the World: Depression thrives when you disconnect from other people, do the opposite, connect with others. Even if it means building new relationships and social supports.

You can start seeing a therapist, coach, and even another trusted source or join in on a support group or group hobby.

Which coping skill stood out to you? Do you have any coping skills you want to share? Leave a comment and let me know! 💬

If you're struggling with your mental health, know that you're not alone and that support is available. 💛✨

ℹ️ Info on mental health services and resources are located on my website resources tab at the link in bio. 🔗

Roughly 280 million people worldwide live with depression, according to the WHO and it affects ALL age groups.

The age group that experiences the highest prevalence is young adults, ranging from 18 to 29 🤯

We all know that 18 is the magical age that equals freedom into adulthood but do we don't often talk about how overwhelming this timeframe can be.

You may be navigating new responsibilities, relationship changes, financial stress, academic pressure, and career uncertainties that leave you stressed beyond measure.

Here are 6 signs of depression that you should be aware for when you or others may need support:

1️⃣ Loss of interest in things you usually enjoy.

2️⃣ Feeling fatigued and exhausted all the time.

3️⃣ Withdrawn, easily irritable with self and others.

4️⃣ Difficulty staying focused or remembering details.

5️⃣ A persistent feeling of low mood, hopelessness.

6️⃣ Unusual sleep and eating habits have developed.

If you're struggling with your mental health, know that you're not alone and that support is available. 💛✨

ℹ️ Info on mental health services and resources are located at the link in bio.

IYKYK... 🙃

You wake up feeling like you're in the worst mood, and to top it off, your mental health has been taking a dip lately 📉

You say, "If anything else goes wrong today, I'm done!" And then, like clockwork, it happens: you step on a Lego, encounter the unforgiving door handle, or catch every red light on your way home.

It's like the universe has this knack for adding an✨extra dash✨ of chaos to our lives. But hey, let's use those moments as a positive reframe to take some deep breaths and ground ourselves.

So remember to use the reframe during those mornings when Legos become our arch-nemesis, when door handles seem to have a personal vendetta against our hips, and when traffic lights conspire to keep us waiting🚦😬

Comment below and let me know what's your most memorable "minor inconvenience" story!? 💬

💻 Visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more about counseling, coaching, and consulting services.

Tell me your non-negotiable emotional boundary in the comments! 💬

Healthy emotional boundaries look like knowing what you need to feel safe and secure.

Emotional boundaries refer to the limits an individual sets to protect their well-being and define their personal space.

This type of boundary involves recognizing, expressing, and respecting your feelings, needs, and limits, as well as understanding where YOU end and OTHERS begin in terms of emotions and responsibilities.

Whether it's taking some time alone to recharge, setting limits on what you share, or surrounding yourself with a supportive community, healthy emotional boundaries are non-negotiable. 👏🏽

I know that implementing boundaries into your life can be difficult but you don't have to do it alone. Tag a friend who's ready to embrace boundaries and let's build a community of encouragement and support! 👥🎉

Visit the link in bio to learn more about my latest offer, The Balanced Boundaries Blueprint course, launching NEXT WEEK! ⏳

Follow for more on mental health, wellness, and psychology content. ✨

Which one are you upholding!? 💬

We often hear people say, "Oh, setting boundaries is like building walls around yourself." But hold on, let's get clear on the differences first.

✅ Boundaries ✅ are like our own personal guidebook to life, they empower us to protect our well-being, cultivate healthy relationships, and maintain ‘balance’ in our lives (whatever balance looks like to you because it is different from person to person. 😉) Boundaries:

✨ are healthy, flexible
✨ built upon clarity, courage, and strength
✨ improves conflict resolution skills
✨ allow healthy connections

❌ Walls ❌on the other hand, are all about fear, isolation, and keeping others out of our lives. They’re rigid and hinder our potential for healthy relationships. Walls keep us locked-in, limiting our growth and keeping us small. Walls:

💥 are unhealthy, fixed, and rigid
💥 built upon fear, hurt, and lack of self-trust
💥 diminished ability to problem-solve
💥 shut others out and keep you isolated

Now that we have pinpointed the differences between building walls and setting boundaries, share your thoughts + opinions in the comments and connect with others through compassionate, respectful dialogue.

Ready to start your boundary-setting journey? Grab a copy of the Burnout to Boundaries workbook at the link in bio! ✨

💻 Want to work together 1:1!? Visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more.

Swipe for boundaries 👉🏽

Boundaries, imo, are an essential life skill that everyone should know about... even if you're not so great at it 😅

If you're not used to setting boundaries, you may feel selfish or guilty at first because you're used to people-pleasing. But don't worry, setting boundaries doesn't make you a selfish person, they make you a courageous one! 👏🏽✨

If you'd like to learn more about boundaries, DM me WORKBOOK to get a copy of my free workbook!

💻 Visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more about counseling, coaching, and consulting services.

📸 source: unknown

Let's talk about BIPOC mental health awareness 👉🏽

Alternatively known as National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, BIPOC Mental Health Month highlights the struggles that Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) still encounter a broad range of discrimination, oppression and inequity rooted in America’s colonialist history, all of which foster both collective and individual trauma.

🛋 If you're a Florida resident looking for counseling, consider booking a consultation with me, Brittany, to see if we'd be a good fit to work together. I accept insurance and offer sliding scale rates as well.

Other services include coaching and consulting, please visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more. 🌱

Follow for more on mental health, wellness, and psychology content. ✨

Sources: and

I'm sure we all know by now that setting boundaries is important for our overall well-being but do you know the different types of boundaries that you can establish in your life!?

1️⃣🚀Physical boundaries: This is where you protect your personal space, autonomy, privacy, and overall physical well-being.

2️⃣💭 Intellectual boundaries: Respecting your thoughts, beliefs, and ideas, and valuing your intellectual autonomy.

3️⃣💖 Emotional boundaries: How you safeguard your emotions and ensure that your emotional well-being is prioritized.

4️⃣💋 S*xual boundaries: This looks like defining your comfort levels and boundaries when it comes to intimate and sexual interactions.

5️⃣💰 Material boundaries: This is where you establish limits and expectations around your personal belongings, resources, and finances.

6️⃣⏰ Time boundaries: Prioritizing your time, setting limits on commitments, and creating space for self-care.

What did you learn about boundaries today!? Let me know in the comments!

Ready to dive deeper into understanding and implementing these boundaries in your life? 💭

⬇️ Download my FREE Boundaries Workbook to improve your boundary-setting knowledge and skills by visiting www.brittanydays.com and subscribing to my newsletter.

pov: trying to apply what your therapist says... 🙃✨

One moment, you and your therapist are nodding in agreement, and you start feeling inspired and motivated. When it comes to implementation... well, let's just say it can be quite the adventure! BUT hey, give yourself some credit for trying 😉

As a therapist, I enjoy giving my clients takeaways (aka homework lol) every now and again at the end of sessions.

These takeaways can be:
✨ coping skills to try
✨ worksheets to complete
✨ journaling prompts
✨ projects (artsy optional)

How do you feel about therapy takeaways!? 💭

If you're a therapist, coach, or healer do you give your clients homework? 💭

💻 Visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more about counseling, coaching, and consulting services.

📸 source: unknown

Boundaries with yourself can look like..

➡️ Taking regular breaks throughout the day.
➡️ Keeping the promises you make w/ yourself.
➡️ Sticking to your budget, not overspending.
➡️ Keeping up with healthy wellness habits, like getting enough sleep each night and taking your vitamins and medications.
➡️ Taking time to be mindful of your mental health, so processing your thoughts
and honoring your feelings.
➡️ Allowing yourself to release unhealthy relationships, this could be with toxic friends, partners, or even work environments.

Setting personal boundaries is so important, especially if you struggle with your mental health, because it prioritizes self-care and empowers you to regulate emotions during stress, foster healthy relationships, and prevent burnout.

📚 Download my Burnout to Boundaries workbook by subscribing to my newsletter at the link in bio for practical tools to help you set healthy boundaries and start living a more balanced life.

If you found this post helpful, save it for reference later and let me know in the comments below a personal boundary you're working on! 💬

Remember, setting boundaries is an act of self-compassion and protection. You've got this! ✨

👉🏽 Follow for more relatable mental health and wellness content.

Do you have the courage to set boundaries!? 🤔

Brene Brown said "Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others."

We often worry about letting others down, but what about ourselves? It's okay to prioritize yourself, boundaries aren't selfish; they are acts of self-love and self-respect.

💭Take a moment for a second and imagine a life where you honor your boundaries WITHOUT guilt.

This life that you've imagined is not only possible but within your grasp! To help you on this boundaries journey, I'm excited to offer you my FREE boundary-setting workbook. 📚✨

Discover practical exercises, useful strategies, and insights that will guide you towards setting healthy boundaries and avoiding burnout. It's time to create the brighter days you deserve! 🌞

To get your hands on this free resource, subscribe to my newsletter at brighterdayswellness.co. By joining, you'll gain access to the free workbook and receive regular mental wellness inspo and guidance on your journey. 💌

Tag a friend who needs this reminder and share the journey towards brighter days! 🌈✨

Once stress arises, we can have one of the four trauma responses:

✈️ Flight: When faced with stress our instinct might scream "run, flee, get out of here!" And this is where the flight response kicks in, urging us to escape or avoid the stress. It's a protective mechanism, where we seek safety and distance from the trauma or stressor. It's okay to step back and prioritize your well-being without completely avoiding your stress. Implementing balance is key if you’re go-to stress response is flight, focus on minimizing anxiety.

🥊 Fight: The fire within ignites when the fight response is activated. It's all about standing up against the stressors, asserting yourself, and regaining control of the situation. This response taps into our inner advocate, empowering us to protect ourselves and others. Just remember, choose your battles wisely and know that assertive does not mean being aggressive. If this is your go to response, work on improving your communication and listening skills.

❄️ Freeze: In moments of extreme overwhelm, the freeze response can kick in, leaving us feeling "stuck" and disconnected from ourselves and others. It's our mind's way of coping with the stress, trying to make sense of the situation. If freeze is your go to response, avoid isolating yourself from others. Be sure to lean on your community and support when you’re feeling low. If you do not have support, you can seek support from a mental health provider or coach.

🙏🏽 Fawn: Fawn response is all about seeking safety through appeasing others, so if you consider yourself a people-pleaser, this might be you. Fawn response is a self-protective instinct that can make us overly compliant or self-sacrificing to our own detriment. Remember, setting healthy boundaries and prioritizing your needs is crucial for your healing healing the disempowered fawn. Download my free workbook, Burnout to Boundaries, by signing up for my newsletter to learn more about handling stress.

➡️ The Stress Cycle: Explained

As a mental health and wellness professional, I've witnessed the all-too-familiar cycle of stress that many of us find ourselves in from time to time. Let's take a moment to break it down, shall we? 🧐🔄

According to research by A.Z. Reznick, the stress cycle is as followed:

🌱 Resting ground state
⚡️ Tension and strain phase
😰 Response phase, which can be passive and/or active
✨ Relief phase, which is both physiological and psychological

As stressors begin to build up in our lives, it also begins to impact our mental and emotional well-being, which can leave us feeling drained and overwhelmed. 😔

In order for the cycle of stress to end, it must reach the resting ground state AKA a state of safety and equilibrium.

While you may not have the ability to get rid of your stress, you can change how you respond to it.

If you're not sure where to start, check out my guide-guide Burnout to Boundaries workbook to help you get started on your wellness journey! ✨

📧 Subscribe to the Brighter Days newsletter to get access to the workbook today at brighterdayswellness.co

👉🏽 Follow for more relatable mental health and wellness content.

We live in an imperfect world. Strive for excellence, not perfection, because we too, as humans, are imperfect. 🌱

It's so easy to fall into the perfection trap if you struggle with anxiety.

You may be wondering how that is and I'll tell you why ⬇️

Anxiety is a response to stress and unless we deal with that stress, we can enter into what we call The Cycle of Stress. 🔁

This cycle can leave us in a state of constant hypervigilance where we are constantly assessing for potential threats.

The thing about perfectionism is that we are constantly striving for more and better without taking the time to appreciate what simply is and the effort that it takes, day in and day out, to make progress.

It's okay to want more, to strive for more but don't feel like you have to have perfection. Remember, put progress over perfection and you'll reach excellence in due time.

What does striving for excellence look like for you!? 💬

Drop a 💛 below if this quote resonates with you!

👉🏽 Follow for more on mental health and wellness topics!

🛋 Let's connect at www.brighterdayswellness.co

Our emotions aren't random occurrences; they're indicators of our inner world. 🌎✨

They guide us, showing us what matters, what resonates, and what needs attention and healing.

Instead of dismissing or suppressing our emotions, let's look at them with curiosity and compassion.

What are your emotions indicating to you lately? 💬

👉🏽 Follow for more mental health and wellness content.

🛋 Interesting in working with me!? Visit the link in bio to schedule a consultation!

Depression is more than just feeling sad; it's a complex internal battle that can impact every aspect of our lives. 🙁

It's an mental health condition that requires compassion, patience, and guidance. If you're struggling, consider seeking help from mental health professional who can provide you with personalized and evidenced-based support.

Here are 5 common signs and symptoms of depression:

1️⃣ Difficulty concentrating or focusing on things
2️⃣ Avoiding things or activities you usually enjoy
3️⃣ No or low self-confidence or self-esteem
4️⃣ Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, numbness
5️⃣ Physical aches and pains with no direct cause

If you're reading this and have experienced or are currently battling depression, know that you are resilient. Your journey is unique, and there is hope for brighter days ahead. Reach out to your support system, practice self-care, and remember that healing takes time. 🌱

Help reduce stigma around depression and mental health by sharing this post! 🔁

👉🏽 Follow for more mental health and wellness content.

🛋 Now accepting new clients for mental health counseling and coaching, visit my website to learn more.

Feeling burnt out even though you've mastered running on fumes? 🤔

If that's you, it's time to take a second to prioritize yourself today. I know we've all heard that before but there's some wisdom in the things that are often stated.

It doesn't have to be something huge or drawn out, it can be as simple as taking some time to b r e a t h e 🌬

Practice the art of deep breathing. Take a moment to inhale the present, exhale the stress, and rediscover the power of recharging.. In for four, hold for four, out for 6. 💛✨

⚠️ Don't let burnout take control. Download my Burnout to Boundaries workbook on overcoming burnout and reclaiming balance. Subscribe to the newsletter to get your copy today! 💌

👉🏽 Follow for more mental health and wellness content.

🛋 Visit brighterdayswellness.co to learn more!