BCD welcomes Kate Fagan on May 15, 2024 BOULDER, CO, April 2024 – Kate Fagan, a former CU Women’s Basketball player, has been speaking on the experience of the female athlete and the mental health concerns generated by today’s achievement focused youth sports environment and how coaches, parents, and caring adults can lean into the positive and be mindful of the harmful. Today’s youth face a much different athletics experience than prior generations. From a different level of parental involvement to the ‘always-on’ pressure that social media creates, today’s athletes face the mounting... Read More

In Boulder, a city that champions holistic health, residents find solace in the embrace of nature and the community’s commitment to physical, mental, and emotional well-being. At the heart of this sanctuary is Naropa University, a hub of contemplative education inspired by the teachings of Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. Here, the Buddhist concept of “Brilliant Sanity” offers a profound perspective on inner healing and self-compassion. Understanding Brilliant Sanity Brilliant Sanity suggests that beneath our psychological distress lies an untouched core of clarity, compassion, and wisdom. This... Read More

Have you ever done something that was hard, uncomfortable, or even painful in the moment, but rewarding and satisfying after? If you live in Boulder, you probably have. You might even be that person who wakes up before dawn to engage in some epic all-day (and sometimes all-night) climbing, skiing, running, or cycling adventure. You might also be familiar with the hipster term for this Boulder staple – “type 2 fun,” which refers to an activity that is fun only in retrospect, but hateful (and hurtful) while it’s happening.1 But why do Boulderites love type 2 fun so much, and what are the... Read More

Meditation is an ancient practice that trains the mind to observe and regulate its own activity. It has been used for centuries by Hindu and Buddhist practitioners to cultivate attention, insight, and spirituality (1,2). More recently, meditation has been adopted and adapted by Western science and medicine as a way to enhance well-being, reduce stress, and improve health (1). Why Meditate? Is it worth the hype? There is a growing body of evidence that supports the benefits of meditation for various physical and mental conditions, including (3-6): Alzheimer’s Disease. Anxiety. Cardiovascular... Read More

You’ve probably heard of cold plunging, the wellness trend that involves jumping into ice water for a few minutes. Sounds crazy, right? Well, not so fast. There’s actually some science behind this practice, and it might have some surprising benefits for your health and well-being. But before you grab your swimsuit and head to the Boulder Creek, here are some things you should know. Take the Plunge into Type-2 Fun Type II Fun refers to experiences that are hard or difficult in the moment but beneficial (and fun) in the long-run or in retrospect. While cold plunging may be uncomfortable (excruciating?)... Read More

Life is full of hardships – grief, break ups, addiction – all times we might think about therapy.  You may be surprised to know the best time to get therapy is when your life is going well. There’s a stigma that therapy is only for people suffering a mental illness or going through a massive interpersonal issue. Therapy’s benefits extend far beyond periods of crisis.  Most people want to be more than ‘not depressed.’ They want to be  happy, productive, loving; they want to be well, not just free of dis-ease. Achieving your full potential requires a heck of a lot of self-knowledge,... Read More

Mindlessly scrolling through our social media feeds when we have a few spare minutes is not the best habit when it comes to our collective psychology. The American Academy of Pediatrics has evaluated the potential for negative effects of social media in young kids and teens, including cyber-bullying and “Facebook depression,” but the issue impacts adults as well. There’s some good evidence that internet addiction may exist. A recent review of earlier research on the psychological characteristics, personality and social media use and found that it is plausible to speak about “Facebook... Read More

Our lives have all changed due to coronavirus. It has fundamentally altered our work, school and off hours pursuits. You can’t watch TV without seeing a commercial for COVID-19. The news starts with the stats on the virus—either nationwide or locally, depending on the broadcast. For those who are working, there are emails, meetings, and even co-worker discussions about our current state of affairs and how it is affecting us. The coronavirus is disrupting our day-to-day lives, but that disruption is giving us the opportunity to reflect and reconsider what we do, the how, and the why. Consider... Read More

Helping a loved one get through cancer treatment is never easy. They may be experiencing physical, emotional, or mental pain; they may be worried about what the near future will bring, not only for themselves but for the people they love. Living with a cancer diagnosis can bring on stress, anxiety, and depression, and those are not easy things to cope with. It’s important to help your loved one find ways to relax and ease stress, so they can improve their quality of life and help their bodies and minds heal. One of the best ways to start is by helping your loved one focus on their mental health.... Read More

Ordinarily, CU Boulder is seen as a liberal leaning, animal friendly campus with daily visits of dogs belonging to students and locals alike. It’s no rare thing to see pups of all ages and sizes out playing fetch or taking a stroll, especially on the campus’ largest open quads, such as Farrand Field or the Norlin Quadrangle. Though with mental illness becoming more frequently reported by students, it’s becoming apparent? that one growing source of self-care is still unfortunately banned by most universities. Mental health issues have been growing on college campuses for years, and as conversations... Read More