The Joyful Mind, LLC

10/07/2025

last week, I talked about the window of tolerance and how being hype aroused can create some mental health symptoms we don't necessarily care for. Today, I want to talk more about some skills we can use to help us return to our window of tolerance.

Distress tolerance skills aren’t about avoiding hard feelings; they’re about training your brain to handle them without shutting down or spiraling. When you practice skills like grounding, paced breathing, or using your senses, you activate the prefrontal cortex (your “thinking brain”) and calm the amygdala (your “alarm system”).

The result? Your brain learns that you can ride out intense emotions safely, which builds resilience and makes stressful moments feel less overwhelming over time.

Distress tolerance is like exercise for your nervous system, the more you practice, the stronger your emotional regulation becomes.

Want to learn more about how to use distress tolerance skills? Let me know!

10/06/2025

Are the darker evenings already taking their toll on you? If so, you're not alone

Join me on 10/22 at Mill Creek Gardens for an evening full of plants, relaxation, and ways to combat that weird feeling you haven't been able to shake since the last time you saw the sun set after 8 pm.

Scholarships are available to attend this wonderful evening designed to replenish your mind and relax your body. Please reach out to learn more!

10/03/2025

You do not have to pretend you are fine.
It’s okay to need help. Everyone struggles sometimes, and no one should carry that burden in silence.

Asking for help is not a failure—it is one of the most human things you can do. 🌱

The ag-informed therapists at the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance (NFMHA) are here to support you. Reach out anytime via DM, email, or our toll-free number.

You’re not alone—we’re here to walk alongside you. 💚

10/03/2025

Liz Cravillion is still accepting new clients here at The Joyful Mind, LLC

A good counselor listens well. But their work is much more than being a listening ear! They are working with you and for you behind the scenes. They're thinking through your story after session is over, researching how to tend to your mental health needs, teach you about your mind + emotions, and help you reach your goals.

The thing about me is that I'm a total nerd when I'm passionate about something. With every client who comes to see me, I'm digging in and researching how brains react to the kind of trauma they share with me, and what diagnoses make sense so that we can follow scientifically proven methods of treatment to make progress.

Our stories matter, and I'm deeply invested in helping people understand what makes their story uniquely their's, and how to heal what doesn't make sense.

Send me a message or email me at lizcravillion@gmail.com if you'd like to schedule a FREE consultation via video call.

10/02/2025

🧠 What is the Window of Tolerance? 🧠

The “window of tolerance” is a term used to describe how much stress your nervous system can handle while still feeling regulated, present, and able to cope.

When you’re inside your window, your nervous system is balanced. You can think clearly, manage emotions, and respond instead of react.

In hyperarousal, your nervous system goes into overdrive (fight or flight). You might feel anxious, panicky, angry, or restless.

In hypoarousal, your nervous system shuts down (freeze or collapse). You might feel numb, disconnected, exhausted, or spaced out.

Everyone’s window is different. Stress, trauma, and exhaustion can narrow it, while practices like grounding, mindfulness, movement, and safe relationships can help widen it.

Noticing where your nervous system is throughout the day is the first step toward bringing yourself back into balance.

If you want to learn more about how to expand your window of tolerance, let me know!

10/01/2025

October is a big month for mental health!

October is !
Download the toolkit at: samhsa.gov/about/digital-toolkits/substance-use-prevention-month — and get ready to share your .

10/01/2025

October is Depression Awareness Month—a time to recognize that can touch anyone, anywhere, and to remind those who are struggling that they are not alone. If you or someone you know feels persistently , or , please remember that reaching out for support is a sign of , not weakness. Depression is highly treatable and taking the first step—talking with a friend, scheduling a screening, or connecting with a mental health professional—can change lives. Reach out today if you suspect you are suffering from depression. ✨💚✨

The Loveland Foundation

09/23/2025

one of the greatest lies I hear about ADHD is that it is a discipline issue. "If you just tried harder!," "If you used the planner you bought!," "You are being lazy!"

Any of this sounding familiar?

The truth is if we could stick your brain into a MRI, we would see major parts of the brain impacted by ADHD. The lack of activity in the prefrontal cortex is responsible for time blindness, procrastination, and the struggle to complete tasks. The hyperactivity in the Basal Ganglia makes it hard for us to sit still and causes fidgeting. The decrease in activity in your cerebellum is the reason why it is so hard to make a decision, stay focused on activities you don't want to do, and maintaining motivation.

ADHD is a neurodevelopmental condition that doesn't go away. We learn how to manage it. If you want to learn more about managing your ADHD and turn it into a superpower, let me know!

09/20/2025

As summer is coming to an end, many of us start to look towards indoor activities. This is the perfect time to introduce some greenery into your home.

To learn more about the benefits of green in your home and your mental health, check out my book "Growing your Mental Health."
https://amzn.to/4nFq4yL

09/19/2025

I hope you can shine your tiny light today and maybe spark something in anyone around you who needs it ❤️

09/18/2025

There is a reason September is su***de awareness month. For those of us living in the northern hemisphere, the su***de rates increase by over 20% in adults over the winter months. Why? Science thinks Seasonal Affective Disorder (otherwise known as SAD) plays a role. Help safegaurd your mental health this winter by learning more about SAD:
https://thatdarnamygdala.wordpress.com/2023/09/27/seasonal-affective-disorder-the-reason-for-the-feeling/

09/16/2025

I've talked a lot about ADHD this month. But did you know that ADHD is actually a superpower?

Come again?

It's true. ADHD gives us a great deal of tools, if we know how to harness them. If you would like to learn how to exactly how to do that, let me know!