When people think about depression, they often think about sadness. But depression doesn't always feel like sadness, sometimes it feels like exhaustion. It can feel like waking up after eight hours of sleep and still feeling like you could stay in bed all day. It can mean taking a shower feels like a significant accomplishment. Answering a text, making food, going to work, or leaving the house can require far more energy than it seems like it should.

If you're an anxious person, you might think that rest should feel good. After all, if you're tired, overwhelmed, or stressed, wouldn't slowing down be exactly what you need?

And yet, sometimes the moment you finally sit down, your mind gets louder. You start thinking about the email you haven't answered. You remember something awkward you said three days ago. You begin making a mental list of everything you need to do tomorrow. You notice a sensation in your body and start wondering whether something is wrong. Suddenly, checking your phone, cleaning the kitchen, answering emails, or finding something else to accomplish feels much easier than simply sitting still.

Anxiety is often described as something that happens in the mind: racing thoughts, endless what-ifs, difficulty concentrating, or imagining everything that could go wrong. But if you've experienced anxiety, you probably know that it doesn't stay in your head.

Depression often affects much more than mood. It can change the way we breathe, move, sleep, connect with others, and experience our own bodies. For many people, even getting out of bed or taking a short walk can feel overwhelming.

Learn simple, grounding strategies for managing anxiety between therapy sessions, from mindfulness and nervous-system regulation to breaking the cycle of reassurance-seeking.

So, your loved one is planning to have a psychedelic journey. You might be curious how you can best support them, or what this might be like for them (and, by extension, for you as a supporter). Perhaps you’re unfamiliar with psychedelic experiences, or at the very least, therapeutic ones. Don’t worry—we’re here to help.

There are lots of logistics that come with undergoing psychedelic-assisted therapies. One of the most important is that client’s can’t drive after. The ride home and the first few hours after a psychedelic experience can significantly influence how supported, safe, and integrated someone feels. The best thing you can do is to create a grounded, compassionate container for someone who may still be emotionally open, reflective, or vulnerable.If you’re someone who is providing transport, there are few things you should know…