MEGAN BOWLING, M.A., LMFT #100409
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Sensory Overload: 3 Tips to Calm An Overstimulated Brain

7/9/2025

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Did you know that irritability is often an add-on feeling? We’re likely to feel irritable and overstimulated when factors are out of control and when we don’t feel comfortable in our body. When we don’t feel like our best selves, we’re more likely to have a hard day.
Our overstimulated selves are quicker to respond, are less likely to think of negative consequences, and we’re more likely to respond with bigger feelings. The outcome is more likely to be negative. With higher temperatures, summer schedule changes, and more of a temperamental political climate, overstimulation is higher than average for many. In this article, we’re going to discuss 3 tools that you can use with yourself and your community to relegate yourself.

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Election Stress - A Letter

11/15/2024

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About a week after elections have concluded, I’m hearing from many that they are worried. People are sharing concerns for the future and processing the possible outcomes of change. Feelings are high, anxiety may be through the roof, and the stress may be affecting many areas of your life. Let’s explore together 5 tools that may help the change feel a little lighter.

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Why Is Change So Hard? A Look At Dynamics And How To Make It Easier

8/23/2024

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Have you found that you’re experiencing similar weeks and are stressing about the variables? Or perhaps you notice difficulties completing similar tasks. Whether we’re starting change, in the midst of it, or waiting on it, adjustments can have a huge impact on our mood, daily dynamics, and overall mental health. In this post we will discuss the algorithm and explore some tips on helping with a smoother transition.

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​Breastfeeding Grief: A letter For The Postpartum Mother

8/2/2024

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The postpartum journey is filled with new experiences.  Even with multiples, every newborn experience can be hectic and unique.  From getting to know our body again, healing, and trying to connect with your most precious little baby. Mix all of these changes in with hormones, body pains, and fresh emotions, the feeding experience may be a high form of stress for you. 

​Trying to exclusively breastfeed, there could be high pressure to be constantly needed but touched out and tired. Anxiety, fear, loneliness, and sadness may be especially high if the expectation and reality of feeding your new baby is not what you expected.

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How Alcohol Use Can Exacerbate Mental Health Symptoms

4/19/2024

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​Understanding the impact of lifestyle choices on mental health is more important than ever. Among these choices, the role of alcohol is significant and often misunderstood. Let’s dig deep into how alcohol use can exacerbate mental health symptoms, shedding light on the complex interaction between substance use and psychological well-being.

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Stages Of Communication: How To Discuss Medical Treatments With Our Youth

2/5/2024

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Have you noticed more opportunities to discuss health with your child? Have they been asking more questions about something they heard on the news? Have you recently donated resources to an organization centered around health? Perhaps more conversations are centered around someone in the family undergoing treatment. Whatever your reason for starting the conversation, we want our youth to feel heard and supported while talking about illness.
*complimentary mantra coloring sheets attached

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Anxiety Management: How To Use Guided Imagery To Reduce Physical Symptoms

1/18/2023

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​Whether you have repetitive negative thoughts or not, you likely feel some anxiety throughout your body.  This form of stress may be felt regularly and intensely and is a physical symptom of worry. 

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10 Tips To Maintain Social Comfort While Social Distancing

8/5/2020

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I bet you’re having a tough time with this socially distanced communication. You’re not alone. I’m hearing that many of you feel lonely. This is completely understandable. We’ve had to socially distance ourselves for months.  With the distance apart, we are missing touch and connection which is a huge component of a positive lasting relationship.

While we wait for a sense of normalcy, I’d like to help. Here are some ways to feel connected to others and follow the guidelines for social distancing.

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What Does Your Inner Critic Tell you?

4/8/2020

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It’s no secret that we often believe negative comments that we tell ourselves. We are our own worst critic. While our friends and loved ones might tell us differently, we frequently don’t believe the good that they tell us. Sound familiar?

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Introverted For The Holidays

11/6/2019

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Do you consider yourself an introvert?  Do you get tired after social engagements? The holidays are tough enough, without being overwhelmed by all the social engagements.  The trick is navigating through the maze of holiday parties and still feel like you’re able to recharge your battery. Renewing our battery levels may vary a little from person to person.  Following these tips will help you glide through the holidays.

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Cognitive Distortions: The Anxious Thoughts That Split Us

10/23/2019

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As a follow up from the last blog, when we discussed the anxiety cycle, today we will be discussing cognitive distortions. Cognitive distortions are negative ways of thinking about ourselves or situations that involve us. We all have a tendency to use negative logic but some of us are more likely to have them more frequently than others. Sometimes, these negative beliefs are so ingrained that it’s hard for us to view it another way. ​

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It's A Trap: A look At The Anxious Cycle

10/7/2019

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Anxiety can be a vicious cycle, often changing from physical symptoms, thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors. The cycle can happen so naturally that people often don’t recognize that it’s even occurring.

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High On Life: How Exercise Can Improve Mood And Outlook

10/7/2019

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Ever finish a workout and get a burst of energy? Runners call this a “runners high” but you don’t have to be a runner to receive the benefits of exercise.

As you read this, you are most likely at “baseline.” Baseline is when an individual is cool, calm, and collected. While most of us stay at or around baseline the majority of the day, we all deviate from this area and experience highs and lows.

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How Are You Really? Checking in on Mental Health

9/24/2019

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Have you ever asked someone how they are doing and they respond with an answer that sounds forced? They might feel forced to answer with a “fine” or “okay” or any similar resemblance because that’s the social norm. However, their body language and their tone might be telling you that there’s something they would like to say and they don’t know how. ​

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    Author

    Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has been in the mental health field for more than ten years and is passionate to share mental health wellness strategies.

    Megan Bowling LMFT is located in Orange CA 92868.  She specializes in individual and couples therapy.
Megan Bowling, M.A., LMFT 
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist | CA #100409
P: 714.519.6041  |  e:[email protected]
22600 Savi Ranch Pky Ste A28 Yorba Linda, CA, 92887
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