Relationship counselling, couples counselling and couples therapy are thought of by most people as something you consider once things have got so bad you're on the verge of breaking up. And sure, these services can be used in times of relationship crisis. But therapists will tell you this isn't always the best way to go about things. More and more couples are seeing counsellors before anything major happens in their couple, and some are seeing it as more of a relationship health check.

Here, women who've been to marriage counselling and couples therapy explain how it changed their lives.
"We didn't have any glaring problems but it was great""We did counselling right after we got engaged and it was great. We didn't have any glaring problems and I think people don't think they need it until the problem has gotten way out of hand - and in a lot of cases, that's too late. But for us, we sharpened the tools in our toolbox, and for some of the things that caused annoyance or strife in our relationship, it was great to talk it out with a neutral party." 

"It helped with my boyfriend's commitment issues""Recently went through couples counselling with my long-term boyfriend who suddenly was having commitment issues. To be honest it was a bit of an ultimatum. We were either breaking up (which he didn't want to do) or we were going to counselling (which he willingly agreed to). TBH I felt like the whole process was more for him than me because he was the one with commitment/communication issues. But really anything that ultimately gave clarity to the situation - that was for us.

"And since the process definitely helped clarify his worries/anxieties, I felt it was very beneficial. I will caution that couples counselling is limited in its helpfulness if the issues have nothing to do with the couple. If the problem really lies with you or your partner as individuals, consider seeing a therapist on your own as well. That's ultimately the path my boyfriend is taking. At the very least the counselling gave me a lot of insight into his fears, as well as revealing to us both that there was nothing in this world I could do to ameliorate them. That's a battle he has to face himself and he's still working on them."

"We saw a therapist for my boyfriend's porn addiction"

"My boyfriend had a porn problem a year or two ago. It was pretty grim, he was spending a lot of money and choosing it over sex. I actually had no idea it was going on at all until I saw an email notification about how much money he'd been spending on watching camgirls. He'd never done anything like that before so I was really blindsided. I was so upset and considered breaking up with him, but I told him if he wanted me to ever trust him again the first step was couples therapy. It ended up being more just sex therapy and mostly him alone because we both agreed it was a him problem, not really an us problem.

"It went really well. I was there for the beginning and the end, but the middle was just him. From what I understand they broke down the issues that had led him to the porn habit (family dynamics, watching porn since literal childhood, job stress leading to tiredness leading to not really having the energy for proper sex but still wanting that release). As far as I know, he hasn't watched porn since. While I was furious and miserable and felt betrayed for a long time (and still do if I think about it too long) I did, even when it was still very raw, have a grudging respect for how he handled it. He put his hands up and took ownership of everything and then, more importantly, worked on the issues."

"It saved our dying relationship"

"Marriage counselling not only saved our dying relationship, it gave us the tools and knowledge to keep it going. We have the best relationship we’ve ever had now, we needed someone to teach us how to speak each other’s language. Know that counselling alone isn’t enough to sustain you through the next rough patch you have, you have to both be willing to see and accept your shortcomings and work hard to over come them together."

"It taught me a lot about myself"

"While marriage counselling didn't work in the traditional way for my ex and I (hence he is an ex) I learned a lot about myself and how I needed to work on some unhealthy coping mechanisms that I brought into the relationships. I learned effective ways of communicating and boundaries are a good thing." 

"My relationship is completely different now"

"The key is finding a GOOD therapist. My experience has been great and eye-opening and I’m in a completely different relationship now thanks to therapy. But also because we chose a good therapist. We tried one out before switching. She did a lot of conflict resolution and listening stuff but didn’t go any deeper into actual relationship problems and deeper-seated issues." [via]
"It saved us after my husband cheated"
"My husband and I went through couples counselling after there was infidelity and frankly it was the best move we could have ever made. Being able to have a neutral space with a neutral person to talk through stuff allowed us both to feel comfortable in saying what really needed to be said. We learned a lot about ourselves as individuals, and a lot about ourselves as a couple. The main takeaway from it all was the handful of new tools we learned, the biggest one was how to better communicate. Needless to say it has been over a year and things are better then ever. I cannot recommend going to a counsellor enough, as long as both are willing to be open and put the work forth it can be a useful tool to combat a lot of issues."
"There wasn't anything 'wrong' in our marriage"

"I don’t have an awesome story or anything, but my husband was going to counselling and I just happened to know the counsellor through my work, so I just tagged along one day. There wasn’t really anything necessarily 'wrong' in our marriage, we just figured that we might as well go and help our relationship to continue to be strong. It was nice. He asked questions that made me think about things I do in our marriage and why I do them, as well as where we both need to grow. It helped us feel closer."
"Therapy is the only reason we didn't break up""My husband and I have been in couples therapy for a little over a year. It is without a doubt the only reason we didn’t end up breaking up. We’d separated due to my husband's drinking problem. I was very reluctant to go, but he asked and I agreed to try it, and we never stopped going. We have been back together since the winter, and our relationship is finally back on track. My husband is just over one year sober, and I’ve been able to work through my anger and resentment for what he put me through. I can’t recommend counselling/therapy enough for couples working through something difficult." 

Posted 05.08.19 https://www.pasadenavilla.com/2019/05/08/why-is-a-work-life-balance-important/

Why is a work-life balance important?

As we celebrate Mental Health Month, we are continuing to look at ways to help our mind and body. One way is to strike a work-life balance. Finding a balance between work and life can be challenging. The constant demands we place on ourselves to work harder and longer can take a toll on our physical and mental health. Of US adults employed full time, nearly 40% reported working at least 50 hours per week, and 18% work 60 hours or more.
While companies are offering more flexible schedules that allow employees to be away from the office, there are still other obstacles that contribute to the unbalance. Technology has opened the door for a constant connection to work, interrupting home life at any given moment. And for those with children, the work-life balance can prove even more difficult as over 60% of first-time mothers return to work just 12 weeks after giving birth.

What is the risk of an unbalance?Studies show that we are working harder and longer and sleeping less. But getting in a full night’s rest isn’t the only problem that can come from an unbalanced work and home life.

• Poor Health: An unbalanced work life and home life can cause numerous health consequences such as sleep and digestive issues, anxiety, and stress. You are also at a greater risk for depression, strokes, and heart disease. And as individuals become more unbalanced they often turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with the additional stress.
• Social Disconnection: When we spend most of our time working, we may be missing out on important events and milestones. Social disconnect with our friends and family can leave us feeling isolated and can harm relationships.
• Increased Expectations: Working extra hours may be great financially and can help you climb the ladder, but that extra time may also increase your responsibility, leading to additional challenges.

How do I achieve a work-life balance?When we have a work-life balance, we feel more satisfied with our job and our overall life. Individuals who are able to balance a busy work schedule and their daily activities often have fewer symptoms of depression and anxiety. But how do you do it? We all know there are ways to set limits and prioritize, but here are a few ideas that may help.

• Manage Time: Cut out activities that you don’t enjoy or that you don’t have time for. Organize household tasks efficiently, such as doing laundry daily instead of all in one day. Share concerns and solutions regarding extra hours with your employer. Remember – do what needs to be done and don’t worry about the rest.
• Make a List: Put weekly events for home life on a calendar and keep a to-do list. When you plan you stay focused and it is easier to stick to what is already a priority for you.
• Learn to Say No: It doesn’t matter if you are being asked to lead an extra project or work, or lead the bake sale at school – remember it is okay to say no. We often add to our plate because we feel guilty, but when you say no then you are giving yourself time to enjoy activities that are more meaningful to you.
• Leave Work at Work: With technology we can connect at any time, eliminating the boundary between work and home. Make a conscious decision to separate the two and be in the moment.
• Reduce Email Access: Limit checking emails to three times a day – late morning, early afternoon, and late in the day. This allows you to focus on your needs and the tasks at hand.

How do I eliminate my stress?One of the most important things we can do to help eliminate or reduce stress is to take care of ourselves. When we are on the go at a frantic pace, we tend to forget how important self-care can be physically and mentally.  Remember these tips when you are feeling stressed.

• Eat a Healthy Diet: Poor nutrition can lead to depression and sleep issues. By adding fruits, vegetables, and lean protein to your plate, you can retain knowledge and increase stamina.
• Get Enough Sleep: More than two-thirds of employees say their sleep is negatively affected by workplace issues. Letting your body rest is essential for your overall well-being. It is also important to avoid using personal electronic devices at bedtime, as the blue light from these devices decreases the level of melatonin, the sleep hormone.
• Make Time for Fun: Make yourself a priority by setting time aside every day for an activity you enjoy. Discover new activities with friends and family.
• Form a Support System: At work or at home, a support system is vital to your well-being. Work with colleagues to help you when conflicts arise. At home, lean on family and friends to help with responsibilities when you need an extra hand.

It is important to remember that we get run down both physically and mentally and we all need help from time to time. Creating a work-life balance is a process, and we need to examine our priorities from time to time and make changes when necessary.  Finding the balance between work and home can help you improve and focus on your mind and body.
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https://www.pasadenavilla.com/2019/05/08/why-is-a-work-life-balance-important/