The Gentle Lighthouse

Julius Chan

  • From Screens to Self-Esteem: How Social Media Fuels Youth Depression

    Social media connects teens digitally but increases feelings of isolation. Excessive screen time diminishes self-worth, while curated images foster unhealthy comparisons. Cyberbullying and cybercrime exacerbate psychological issues. It’s crucial for parents to engage offline, promoting healthier interactions and emotional resilience… Continue reading

  • Lost in the Likes: Why More Youth Are Facing Depression

    Youth, defined as individuals aged 15 to 24 by the UN, face unique challenges distinct from childhood, including academic pressures, social media influence, and cyberbullying. These factors can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. Supporting emotional resilience through open conversations,… Continue reading

  • Sweet Tooth, Bitter Crash: How Sugar Impacts Depression

    Sugar elevates mood through dopamine release but leads to inflammatory markers linked to depression. The subsequent crash causes fatigue and irritability. While sugar provides temporary comfort, mindful consumption is crucial to avoid its negative emotional impact. Strategies like balanced meals… Continue reading

  • Coping with Endings and Goodbyes While Living with Depression

    Endings can be particularly challenging for individuals experiencing depression, as they disrupt established routines and stir significant emotional responses. Transitions trigger a fear of loss, impacting emotional regulation. Practical steps to navigate these feelings include creating closure rituals, sharing experiences,… Continue reading

  • Friendship as Medicine: How Shared Energy Heals Us

    Friendship plays a crucial role in healing, offering emotional, biological, and energetic benefits. Positive social interactions increase oxytocin, enhance empathy, and lower pain perception, revealing the neuroscience behind connections. Emotional energy is contagious, making it essential to choose supportive friends.… Continue reading

  • The Empath’s Guide to Friendship While Depressed

    The blog discusses the challenges empaths face when experiencing depression while trying to support others. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining boundaries to prevent emotional exhaustion. Key strategies include stepping back without guilt, using energy mapping, communicating care in small… Continue reading

  • When You’re the Friend with Depression

    This post explores the challenges of seeking help when living with depression, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability and connection. It highlights common tendencies to withdraw and internalize feelings of being a burden. Practical strategies for asking for support are provided,… Continue reading

  • The Friendship Fog: When Loneliness Lingers in a Crowd

    Loneliness can occur even in crowded settings due to perceived social isolation, often worsened by depression. Many struggle to advance friendships beyond acquaintance levels, as depression affects mutuality, positivity, sharing, companionship, and concern. Rebuilding connections involves keeping expectations low, intentionally… Continue reading

  • How Friendship Helps Heal: Depression and the Power of Connection

    Friendship is a mutual relationship built on affection, shared experiences, and care for one another. It serves as emotional support during depression, offering companionship, presence, and validation. Effective friendships require kindness and understanding. Even a few close friends can make… Continue reading

  • Before Hope, There’s Breath: Resetting in Panic

    The essence of being alive centers on breath, which connects the unconscious and conscious. In times of panic, breath serves as an anchor to regain safety. A structured breathing practice can interrupt anxiety spirals and train the body to react… Continue reading