The best part about cozy hobbies is that it’s not about mastering a skills (although you often do improve) or monetizing your interests. They’re about engaging with ourselves in ways that feel grounding, soothing, and human. And from a mental health perspective, they’re one of the keys to rejuvenating our spirits and beating burnout.

As we move into 2026, many people are feeling drawn toward the idea of “going analog.” This interest a response to the exhaustion that comes from living in a world where screens touch nearly every part of our lives. Technology can be incredibly helpful, offering access to care, flexibility, creativity, and connection. At the same time, when digital engagement becomes constant and unavoidable, it can quietly contribute to burnout, anxiety, and a sense of disconnection.

The question most people are really asking isn’t “Should I quit technology?” but rather, “How do I use it in a way that actually supports my mental health?”

Today, I’m interviewing Dr. Leo Mountain, a naturopathic doctor who specializes in gut health, nervous system support, men’s health, hormone imbalances, LGBTQ & trans-affirming care, and other complex illnesses. Dr. Mountain supports patients online in California and in-person in San Diego. We are here to talk about how nutrition and craniosacral therapy can support holistic health.

For many people, the New Year carries a sense of possibility; think fresh starts, big dreams, new habits. But on the flip side, this idea that we need to create major change in our lives can provoke anxiety and internalized pressure. Instead of excitement, you might feel guilt, or dread every time someone asks “Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions?”. The idea of setting ambitious goals might bring up feelings of failure, not hope.

Today, I’m interviewing Dr. Deborah Ma (aka Dr. Deb)  of Puzzle Acupuncture in San Francisco. Dr. Deb is a Doctor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and a licensed acupuncturist with over 17 years of clinical experience. Her journey in medicine began at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine—the world’s top TCM university—where she earned both a medical degree and PhD. She spent a decade working at Beijing United Family Hospital, China’s premier private hospital, where she collaborated daily with OB/GYNs, neurologists, and pediatricians.

Most of us move through life with a long list of things we should be doing. But “shoulds” aren’t values. They’re often inherited expectations passed down from family, culture, community, or workplace norms. And when those expectations guide our choices more than our inner compass does, we end up feeling disconnected, resentful, overwhelmed, or unsure of who we are and what we want.

In this first installment of Tiny Cottage Therapy’s new Holistic Healing Interview Series:

Discover how naturopathic medicine supports mental health by addressing the body’s root causes. We speak with Dr. Kirstin Uncur, ND, a naturopathic doctor specializing in mental health, hormone balance, and chronic fatigue. Dr. Uncur shares how understanding the body’s communication—through digestion, inflammation, and nutrient balance—can transform emotional wellbeing.

In a world where the news never sleeps and updates flood our phones by the minute, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume of information we’re expected to process each day. From breaking headlines to trending topics, the constant stream can leave us feeling anxious, exhausted, and emotionally drained.

But here’s the truth: your brain wasn’t designed to take in this much information at once.

If you experience high-functioning anxiety, you might be familiar with the feeling of always needing to be on. You’re constantly pushing yourself, overcommitting, and staying busy—because slowing down feels uncomfortable, even impossible. But what if slowing down was actually the thing that helped the most?

What to expect when starting therapy

I want to start by reassuring you if you feel nervous, apprehensive, or anxious about your first therapy session, that’s super normal. Starting therapy (especially for the time first time) can be really scary and take a lot of courage. I want to commend you on your steps to even get to this point.

I wish I could fool myself into thinking that taking care of my overall wellbeing does not include finances. I want to pretend I can just live in a world where money doesn't matter. However…

When we live according to work & school schedules it is easy to forget that we live in a naturally cyclical world. With all of our modern conveniences, it is understandable that we fail to remember our lives are affected by the moon phases, the tides cycles and daylight hours. At its core, seasonal living is…