Fika Mental Health

You cancel plans, sleep in, scroll a bit too long hoping to recharge — but even after resting, you still feel emotionally empty. That’s not laziness. That’s emotional burnout. Emotional burnout isn’t just physical fatigue — it’s when your emotional energy is so depleted that even small things feel heavy. You might find yourself saying things like “I just can’t deal with anything right now”  or “I don’t even recognize myself anymore.” This level of exhaustion often comes from

You tell yourself it’s not a big deal — the friend who pulled away, the text left on “read,” the job that didn’t work out. But somehow, it still feels like a punch to the chest. If you’ve ever wondered why rejection feels so physically painful , you’re not imagining it. Your brain processes rejection using the same neural pathways as physical pain. That’s why a simple “no,” ghosting, or feeling left out can trigger the same distress as being hurt — because, in a very real sen

You finally have a free hour—but instead of relaxing, your mind starts listing all the things you should  be doing. Resting feels… wrong. Lazy, even. If that sounds familiar, you’re not broken—you’ve just been taught to value doing over being. Why Rest Feels Uncomfortable In a culture that glorifies productivity, rest is often seen as a weakness instead of a need. Many of us grew up with messages like: “Don’t waste time.” “Work hard now, rest later.” “Success means always pus

You know that feeling when you can finally exhale around someone? You’re not performing, over-explaining, or reading between the lines—you just feel safe. That’s emotional safety. And it’s one of the most important (and overlooked) ingredients in strong, lasting friendships. It’s not about always agreeing or being perfect—it’s about knowing that you can be fully yourself  and still be accepted. What Emotional Safety Really Means Emotional safety is the sense that it’s safe to

You finally slow down after a period of chaos—and instead of relief, you feel… nothing. No joy, no sadness, just flat. You might wonder, What’s wrong with me? Why can’t I feel anything? But here’s the truth: feeling numb after stress isn’t a failure or a flaw. It’s your nervous system doing exactly what it was designed to do—protecting you when life feels too overwhelming to process. The Science Behind Emotional Numbness When your body faces prolonged stress, it shifts into s

You open your phone and see 53 unread messages in your group chat.Your heart races. You scroll quickly, trying to catch up—jokes you...

Have you ever caught yourself saying, “I just froze”? Maybe during an argument, a stressful meeting, or even while trying to make a...

You’ve probably heard the term nervous system regulation  floating around social media lately. But what does that actually mean—and how...

Have you ever noticed that when things finally calm down , your body doesn’t?Maybe you finally get a quiet night after a stressful week,...

Maybe you’re at a wedding, laughing with friends, or blowing out candles on your birthday cake—and suddenly, a wave of grief rises in...

If you’ve ever walked into a room and immediately forgotten why, missed appointments you’d normally remember, or felt like your brain is...

When we hear the word grief , most of us think about losing a loved one. But grief isn’t only tied to death. It can show up in the loss...

You’ve finally sat down after a long day. Instead of feeling relaxed, your chest tightens. Your thoughts race. You reach for your phone,...

Have you ever noticed that when you’re stressed or triggered, your stomach is the first place you feel it? Maybe it’s butterflies,...

If you’ve ever gotten a headache before a big meeting, had trouble sleeping during a tough week, or noticed your stomach in knots when...

That dizzy, heart-racing, can’t-stop-thinking-about-them feeling? It’s intoxicating. For many women in their 20s–40s, the rush  of new...

When people hear the word existential , they often think of philosophy, late-night conversations, or even angst-filled novels. But...

Losing someone you love changes everything. It can feel like the world has moved on while you’re still standing still, trying to make...

Friendships are supposed to feel like ease and laughter, right? But if you’ve ever felt left out, anxious when someone takes too long to...

If you’ve ever held back from texting a friend because you “didn’t want to bother them” or swallowed your feelings because you worried it...