What Is Mental Health? Self-Care vs. Self-Love with Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC

Glow For Hope: SparkingConversation on Mental Health

What Is Mental Health? Self-Care vs. Self-Love with Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC


Hosts: Kelly Poelker & Delisa Richardson  • 
Guest: Christina Kittstein Therapist & Art Therapist  • 
Category: Mental health education, suicide prevention, self-care








In our first guest episode, therapist and art therapist Christina Kittstein helps demystify the foundations:
what we mean by mental health, how mental wellness fits in, and the real difference between self-care
and self-love—especially when you’re struggling. We talk sleep, gentle movement, emotions as messages,
burnout across roles, and simple daily practices that support the brain-body connection.





What You’ll Learn




• Mental health vs. mental wellness: Health is your current state; wellness is your proactive plan to navigate that state day by day.


• Self-care vs. self-love: Routine care can exist before self-love—and also help grow it.


• Sleep matters: Nightly rest helps your brain “take out the trash” and reduce brain fog.


• Whole-person care: Emotions, nervous system, nutrition, movement, and physical health are tightly linked.


• Emotions as information: Feelings carry messages; when you receive the message, the feeling can move on.


• Burnout is overwhelm: Boundaries and basics (sleep, food, movement) are step one—at work, home, or school.


• Gentle movement counts: Mindful movement (stairs, stretching, seated curls) ＞ perfect workouts.


• Nature calms the system: Ten quiet minutes outdoors—or nature sounds at night—can shift your state.




Practical Takeaways



Daily Basics




• Pick a realistic bedtime and protect it (dim lights, fewer screens).


• Add a 30-minute wind-down: light stretch → nature/brown noise → lights out.


• Move gently every day; consistency beats intensity.





Regulation Tools




• Ground outside: bare feet on grass, 5–10 minutes of mindful listening.


• Visualization: revisit a calm memory (beach, woods) using all senses.


• Boundaries: one “no” today protects many “yesses” tomorrow.








Guest Spotlight: Christina Kittstein, LCPC, ATR-BC




A licensed clinical professional counselor and board-certified art therapist, Christina integrates talk therapy
with expressive arts and evidence-based modalities (CBT,
DBT, IFS,
EMDR) to treat trauma/complex trauma and help clients
process pain, build skills, and reclaim peace.




Favorite Moments

“Humans are designed for connection—families, groups, communities. Isolation feeds depression; community heals.”

“You can’t ‘make up’ lost sleep on Sunday. The brain needs steady, nightly maintenance.”

“Emotions aren’t the enemy; they’re messengers. When we receive the message, the emotion can move on.”



Resources & Related




• Sleep hygiene basics (dark, cool room; consistent wind-down routine).


• Nature & grounding practices; sound support for sleep (nature/brown noise).


• Mindful movement for limited mobility (seated stretches, light resistance).


• Visualization for nervous-system regulation.




Looking for quick guides? Visit our Resources (/resources) page for printable
breathing, grounding, and sleep tips (more coming soon).






Next Episode Teaser




Christina returns to answer the big question: “Who do I talk to?” We’ll demystify
therapists, counselors, psychologists, and psychiatrists so you can choose a starting point with confidence.




How to Support the Show




• Share this episode with someone who could use a gentle, practical reset.


• Subscribe and leave a review to help others find the podcast.


• Donate to fuel Glow For Hope’s community education and suicide-prevention work.



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Crisis & Support




If you or someone you know is in emotional distress or considering suicide, you are not alone.

In the U.S., call or text 988 or chat via 988lifeline.org (https://988lifeline.org) for free, confidential support 24/7.

Outside the U.S., contact your local emergency number or a local crisis line.




Disclaimer: This podcast does not provide medical advice and is not a substitute for professional care. Always consult your healthcare provider for personal guidance.































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