TheMindful60

TheMindful60 Lauren Jones Smith, M.A., LPC
Counseling Services
LPC | EMDR Provider | Girl Mama
Healing human helping humans heal 🧠

01/06/2026

Take a deep breath. You're doing your best, and that's always enough.

When people learn how to regulate their emotions, everything changes—relationships, families, communities.Emotional educ...
01/03/2026

When people learn how to regulate their emotions, everything changes—relationships, families, communities.
Emotional education is not optional. It’s foundational.
This is why therapy matters. 🤍

✨✨✨ 2026 ✨✨✨
12/31/2025

✨✨✨ 2026 ✨✨✨

12/31/2025

Happy ! If you’re feeling triggered or in need of extra support tonight, you’re not alone and help is available. Help yourself & share to help others: samhsa.gov/find-help

A new year doesn’t have to begin with pressure or resolutions.Instead, it can begin with reflection, gentleness, and int...
12/27/2025

A new year doesn’t have to begin with pressure or resolutions.

Instead, it can begin with reflection, gentleness, and intention.

As this new year begins, take a moment to pause and ask yourself these questions. There’s no right or wrong answer—just space to notice what matters most.

🤍 The Mindful 60

Happy Holidays from my family to yours ❤️
12/25/2025

Happy Holidays from my family to yours ❤️

Happy Holidays 💛
12/24/2025

Happy Holidays 💛

Holiday reminders ❤️
12/23/2025

Holiday reminders ❤️

The holidays can bring warmth and connection — and they can also bring stress, old patterns, and complicated family dyna...
12/17/2025

The holidays can bring warmth and connection — and they can also bring stress, old patterns, and complicated family dynamics.
Setting boundaries doesn’t mean you’re being difficult or ungrateful.
It means you’re choosing your well-being.
✨ You’re allowed to say no
✨ You don’t owe explanations for protecting your peace
✨ Limiting time, topics, or expectations is okay
This season, let your boundaries be an act of care — for yourself and for your mental health.
Your peace matters. 🤍
— The Mindful 60, LLC
Your hour to heal, grow, and reclaim your power.

☁️ The Truth About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)As we move into the darker months, many people notice a shift in the...
12/12/2025

☁️ The Truth About Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As we move into the darker months, many people notice a shift in their mood — and it’s more than just “winter blues.” SAD is a real and valid form of depression that can impact energy, sleep, appetite, motivation, and overall emotional well-being.

If you’ve been feeling heavier, more irritable, or disconnected lately, you’re not alone — and you’re not “being dramatic.” Your brain and body are responding to real seasonal changes.

✨ Small steps matter:
• Get natural sunlight when possible
• Move your body gently
• Keep a steady routine
• Stay connected with supportive people
• Reach out for help when you need it

Your feelings are valid. Your experience is real.
And support is always available. 💛

— The Mindful 60, LLC

12/12/2025

🌙 PMDD: Why It Matters — And What You Should Know

Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is not “just bad PMS.” It is a severe, hormone-sensitivity mood disorder that affects mood, cognition, energy, sleep, and overall functioning. Research shows that individuals with PMDD can have normal hormone levels, but an abnormal sensitivity to fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone.

What actually happens in the brain
• Hormonal shifts disrupt serotonin regulation
• Increased sensitivity to allopregnanolone (a progesterone metabolite) affects GABA pathways
• Stress circuits become more reactive and harder to regulate
• Sleep quality often worsens during the late luteal phase
• Inflammation and oxidative stress may increase, amplifying mood symptoms

Typical symptoms
• Rapid mood swings
• Irritability and anger
• Anxiety and panic spikes
• Depression or hopelessness
• Insomnia or unrestful sleep
• Cognitive fog and overwhelm
• Physical symptoms like breast tenderness or bloating

These symptoms can significantly impact relationships, work performance, and daily functioning, and should never be dismissed.

What helps:
The strongest outcomes often come from a combination of evidence-based and holistic approaches.
• Tracking symptoms across cycles
• Prioritizing sleep and circadian rhythm support
• Increasing omega-3 intake
• Magnesium and vitamin B6 in select clients
• Mind-body practices for stress regulation
• Nutrition that stabilizes blood sugar
• Cognitive behavioral strategies
• Considering SSRIs, either full-cycle or luteal-phase dosing
• Exploring GnRH modulators or hormonal strategies when indicated

Treatment must always be individualized. PMDD is real, disabling for many, and highly responsive to the right care plan.

PMDD is not a condition to minimize or “wait out.” People deserve evidence-based support that addresses biology, nervous system patterns, and whole-person wellbeing.

12/12/2025

Omega-3s & Mood: What the Research Says

Evidence suggests that EPA-dominant omega-3 supplements may help reduce depressive symptoms, especially when inflammation is elevated.

Inflammation markers that tend to be higher in inflammation-linked depression:
-IL-6
-TNF-α
-CRP

EPA helps by shifting the body away from pro-inflammatory cytokines and toward anti-inflammatory mediators.

How This Supports Mood

Chronic inflammation can:
-Alter neurotransmission
-Lower serotonin availability
-Disrupt dopamine signaling
-Affect neuroplasticity

By reducing inflammation, EPA indirectly supports these mood-related pathways.

Typical Doses Used in Research

-Most studies cluster around 0.5–2 g/day of EPA
-Many show benefit around ~1 g/day EPA
-Some trials at 1–2 g/day found improvement

Exploratory trials at 4 g/day EPA reported benefit in inflammation-linked depression

Time to Effect:
Clinical trials typically report changes over 6–12 weeks, usually as adjunctive therapy.

Safety & Precautions
May increase bleeding risk when combined with anticoagulants → monitoring recommended
Higher doses associated with a small increased risk of atrial fibrillation in some analyses
Quality matters → choose reputable supplement brands
Always discuss dosing and monitoring with a clinician

Clinical Takeaway
For clients with mood disorders or inflammation-linked depression, discussing omega-3 intake (especially EPA-dominant) may be helpful as part of an integrative treatment plan.

References

Liao et al., J Affect Disord, 2021
Kelaiditis et al., Nutrients, 2023
Cochrane Review: Omega-3s for Depression, 2021
Martins, Neuropsychopharmacology, 2009
Berk et al., Mol Psychiatry, 2020 (inflammation & mood pathways)

Address

401 Hamilton Road Suite 114
Bossier City, LA
71111

Opening Hours

Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm

Telephone

+13188849384

Website

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