How To Live Well Despite Having A Chronic Illness

 

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The people who live with chronic disease and mental health disorders and still manage to succeed with their goals are some of the unsung heroes on this planet. It is already difficult for healthy folks to deal with a slight cold or a minor injury. For the former, though, they may go under the weather when the pain hits, but they’ll continue to power through the day despite having an illness that keeps on coming back.

How can they do that, you ask? Well, it’s all about the life choices you make. When you think, “I won’t let this health issue take control of me,” you can work towards achieving that. And if you claim that you’ll survive any jab at your health, there’s no doubt that you’ll genuinely do it.

Below are more ideas on how to live well despite having a chronic illness.

 

Go With The Flow

Your new objective is to ride the current. In a regular situation, you may not need to take a break just in case you have a fever or a sore throat. But because it’s a lingering pain that you’re dealing with, it may be impossible to concentrate on your tasks while the disease is still in active mode. According to Trudi Griffin, LPC “Adding a therapeutic professional to your support team, whether it be a psychotherapist, psychiatrist, or a licensed mental health counselor, can boost your feelings of safety and empowerment.

What you can only do is accept that it is your reality now. On good days, you’ll be able to function like any member of your team. During the sick days, you may just want to stay in a fetal position, and that’s OK too. Your colleagues won’t ideally mind as long as they’re aware of your condition.

 

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Stop Being Cynical

Having a chronic ailment makes some patients pessimistic about life and love in general. Since they carry an illness that may never go away regardless of how much therapy or medication they get, it’s easy for them to assume that they will be lonely forever. This idea is further strengthened by this phrase:  “Many people experience depression when coping with a chronic illness. There are a combination of factors that contribute to depression including lack of control, feelings of helplessness, loss of physical mobility, impact on career, chronic pain, strain on relationships, and medical complications” by Becky Reiter, MA, LPC.

 

That’s wrong, you know. Your illness does not equate to you being broken or being undesirable. Some individuals even have a health issue wherein it’s painful for them to have sex, and yet they are in a happy relationship. You don’t need to couple with anyone if you’re not into it, but at least make peace with yourself and stop being so negative.

 

Know The Triggers

Assuming you have the disease for a while now, then you already have an inkling of what causes the problem to spike up. It can be cumbersome lifting or lack of movement. Some foods may also bring you pain. With that said, it’s best to avoid the things that will trigger the chronic disorder.

 

Enjoy Your Life

Finally, you can live well once you prevent chronic illness from hindering your happiness and adventurism. Though the pain may strike almost every day, it won’t stay active 24/7. You should savor the times when you aren’t in agony, for that reason, and try as many activities as you please. This is further supported by  with Andrea M. Risi, LPC “  The mind-body connection shows us that if we feel depressed or anxious, the body feels more pain or fatigue. Changing negative thoughts to positive ones can decrease both physical and emotional pain.”

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Whether you’re pain-free or not, you’ll only live once. Remember that whenever you feel like giving up and succumbing to the chronic disease. Cheers!

The Most Suitable Exercises To Ease Your Scoliosis

 

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Have you ever felt like walking to the right, but your body just wants to stay in the other direction?

That’s the simplest way to describe what scoliosis patients tend to experience. This health condition causes your once-straight back to curve into a C or an S, depending on how severe the problem is. “Scoliosis is a spinal deformity consisting of lateral curvature and rotation of the vertebrae,” Joseph A Janicki, MD explains.

The thing about scoliosis is that it is mostly a side effect of previous injuries. If you received a surgery that made your pelvis uneven, you might develop the spinal curvature. In case your head, foot or knee went under the knife, it’s possible to have this disorder too.

Now, you got two options to correct the matter. The first one is another medical operation. It’s cool if you don’t mind the recovery period and the fact that the doctors will cut your upper body open. The second choice is to exercise your way out of it. When you are stressed out or anxious, your muscles often tighten. “Since scoliosis affects the muscles in the back and core, the more relaxed you are the less contracted the muscles may be. This can assist greatly with pain management,” Jason Lowenstein says.

Check out the most suitable workouts to ease your scoliosis below.

 

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Side Stretch

Stretching your figure sideways is a great technique to kickstart the day. The activity can release the tension on the spine and improve your stiff muscles.

What to do:

  1. Stand up straight and make the distance of your feet as wide as your shoulders.
  2. Beginning with your right, put your arm upward, and then arch it to the side as if you’re trying to reach something.
  3. Make sure to support your hip on the other half of your body to maintain your back’s stability.
  4. Do it until you feel your muscles tighten.
  5. Repeat on the left side.

 

Plank

In case you don’t like moving so much, you may try planking. It is both challenging and smooth at the same time because you need to hold a single position with most of your body parts off the ground.

What to do:

  1. For starters, plant your forearms on the mat, keeping the elbows perpendicular to the shoulders.
  2. Push yourself up from that pose until your weight is on the arms and tips of your feet.
  3. Then, open your palms and extend your arms so that your body is in a diagonal shape.
  4. Prolong the time you stay in that position gradually.

 

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Downward Dog

This exercise is an upgraded version of the plank. It stretches your back and engages your abdominal muscles, which is a plus if you want to stay in shape.

What to do:

  1. From the same plank above, move your hips backward.
  2. Your arms can stretch to the back too, but don’t let your palms leave the ground.
  3. After that, thrust your body forward until your shoulders are in line with your palms.
  4. Repeat the steps while holding the pose each time.

“We have found that understanding the muscles that hold and move the spine yields a valuable way to reverse both common types of scoliosis. Yoga turns out to be a simple and effective means to apply it,” Dr. Loren Fishman, MD explains.

Hip Roll

The routine is perfect for making your hips more flexible. Rather than taking a toll on your spine, the movement may relax it.

What to do:

  1. Lay down on the floor.
  2. Bend your knees until your heels are almost touching your buttocks.
  3. With your core muscles tight and your neck straight, raise your pelvic area toward the ceiling.
  4. Hold the position for a few seconds once your back is straight and no longer touching the ground.
  5. Once you’re ready to come down, you can start from your shoulders to the middle section.
  6. Do it again in a minute or two before moving on to a different exercise.

Gotu Kola: The Wonder Herb?

We are in a world where everyone depends on synthetic pills a lot. If you have a fever or common cold, for instance, you can take paracetamol. In case you feel constipated, there are over-the-counter medications that you can buy as well. Life should be easy because of them, right?

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Despite that, it is no secret that a lot of chronic diseases have come to surface since such innovations have occurred. It can make you wonder, “Would such illnesses appear if we avoided synthetic products altogether?”

In light of this, allow me to introduce you to Gotu kola.

What Is Gotu Kola?

Gotu kola is one of the many aromatic plants out there which is still yet to be explored fully by the great scientists out there. Although this herb is native to a lot of countries all over the world, it is commonly known as Ayurvedic medicine and has been called with various names in India like Bat-maina (Meghalaya), Karivana (Marathi), Tvashti (Sanskrit), and Muyalchevi (Malayalam), among others.

Centella grows anywhere like grass, so it isn’t hard to find. There had been on-going pharmacological studies on its chemical properties, too. They can prove the idea that Gotu kola can be the next famous and useful herb all over the world.

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What Can Gotu Kola Do?

In India, the plant has been mistaken as Bacopa monierri because they were both called there as “Brahmi,” but later on they have cleared that the latter is called Mandookaparni while the former is the “Brahmi.” However, it’s safe to say that this confusion has a basis because they are both known as excellent memory enhancers. Besides, researches showed that aqueous extract prepared with the plant resulted in good cognitive learning for the albino mice they used. This extract is also a promising antidote for seizures triggered by Pentylenetetrazole with the added benefit of it as a hindrance to learning impairment which other antiepileptic drugs do have.

This plant is also said to have properties that can be therapeutic to tumors. Scientists are very enthusiastic into developing this into an anti-cancer drug with its extract. After all, experiments on mice showed that it has a direct effect on DNA synthesis without being somewhat poisonous to the cells. Asiaticoside, a chemical property of Centella, works well in collagen synthesis, making it worthy with wound-healing actions. Because of this, it might be helpful for cancer chemotherapy as it improves the anti-tumor activity of vincristine in cancer cells.

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Aside from the illnesses mentioned above, as of today, Gotu kola is perceived to give people protection from cardiovascular damages, radiation, hepatoma, and neurological problems. People brew its leaves to make tea out of it so those who have dysentery, diarrhea, and other abdominal issues can drink it.

The good thing with Gotu kula is that it has very low toxicity. However, just like any other thing in the world, it has to be taken in moderation because studies showed too that a large amount of this plant could be narcotic.

 

Wonder herb or not, though, don’t forget to talk to your physician before taking any Gotu kola product.

Ways To Work Without Stress When You Have Chronic Disease

Chronic disease can turn your life upside down when you least expect it. There are days when you feel like you can take on any task and be the best at it. When the pain is on, though, your vigor can go out of the window, and all you’ll be able to do is try to walk or breathe properly.

Many individuals face this problem on a regular basis, even the ones who have a career to take care of or build. It is difficult, no doubt, but you need to continue working for a living despite having a chronic disease and mental health problem. Here are some ways to work without stress with such a disease.

 

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Open Up About Your Condition

Your goal as soon as you learn about chronic pain is to inform your bosses and colleagues regarding the issue. It won’t be smart to keep on doing your job without telling them that you may become very ill anytime. That can cause challenges, including others assuming you’re slacking off. According to Emily Whitish, LMHC “Willingness is about opening up to and embracing your experience, whether it’s pleasant or unpleasant, and taking action on something important and meaningful.”

In case you don’t wish to tell your workmates about it in fear of receiving their pity, well, you don’t have a different choice right now. Although some honestly do that, others will merely admire your resilience and strength. The wisest thing to do, therefore, is to just focus on the positive side of opening up to everyone at the office. In addition to that and according to Kellie Collins, MS, LPC, “Navigating chronic illness along with mental health symptoms can be difficult, but you don’t have to go it alone. I can help you utilize tools to successfully manage these conditions and have the best quality of life for you and for your family.” (She is a licensed therapist.)

 

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Take Breaks Whenever Necessary

The breaktime for people who have a lingering disease to deal with may not be the same as with the rest of the group. In a standard scenario, the company only allows interruption thrice for mid-morning, lunch, and mid-afternoon. But because the illness can attack anytime, you should be able to take a break whenever you need to do so. Again, it has much to do with the scope of your bosses’ knowledge about your chronic pain.

 

Lower Your Stress Level

Physical and mental tension often make a health condition worse than it should be. That typically happens once your work starts piling up until you’re already drowning in them.

In truth, no one has to feel always stressed out. Even the ill folks who are in a hectic workplace, e.g., restaurant or call center, can complete their tasks without pressure. The key is never to take on more projects than you can handle.

Considering you’re not the only employee with the same position in the office, let your boss delegate some of your tasks to others. Arrange with them as well – if possible – so that it’ll be OK to leave your post immediately when the pain strikes.

 

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“Research suggests that daily meditation may alter the brain’s neural pathways, making you more resilient to stress,” says psychologist Robbie Maller Hartman, PhD, a wellness coach.

Follow The Doctor’s Orders

Last but not the least, don’t go against your physician’s recommendations. Assuming he or she said that you have to move every 30 minutes or so, do it. In case the health professional asked you not to lift anything substantial to avoid losing your grip strength, follow his or her advice.

Quite often, it’s difficult to work without stress whenever you insist on doing what’s bad for you. The fact that you are aware of the extent of your chronic disease, however, means that you get regular checkups. It further equates to you wanting to treat the matter, so try not to disobey your doctor at all cost.

How The 4-Hour Workweek By Tim Ferriss Changed My Life

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I love Tim Ferriss. His book called The 4-Hour Workweek changed my life. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it. I still remember the feeling I had when I was reading the book for the first time because it was one of those rare books that I could not stop reading. It felt like I had finally got permission to be “lazy,” and I realized that there are people who do things very differently. For some time, I have been thinking about how almost everyone has the lifestyle that most people have. I couldn’t believe how almost they have taken the same route: spending 4-6 years on education just to get an entry-level job position, and then putting many years of hard work and sacrifices to be promoted to a situation which can take even more of your time just to keep up with the demands of the rat race. I have always wondered where that amount of hard work would get these people to if they would be ready to do it for themselves instead of their employers.

My Issues

I have had a bad conscience because I don’t like to work just for the sake of work. I was shocked when I got my first labor job as a student. Is this really what almost everyone does daily for the rest of their lives until they’re 65 and get to retire? I thought that I was just lazy because I had a different mindset, but after reading The 4-Hour Workweek, I knew that there was a way to do things differently. I don’t know about you, but I get excited about the possibility to free my time for the stuff that I enjoy. You don’t need to slave away to retire, exhausted, in your mid-60s, and only start living your life the way you want it to be after that. Alex Lickerman M.D. says that, “Opening our minds to a new thing or a new way of thinking is often frightening because by definition it’s unfamiliar.” He adds, “But if you think about it, most of the things we fear don’t actually come to pass.”

Source: Reddit.com

How The Book Changed My Perspective

In his book, Tim redefines it all. The rules are entirely changed, and you get to see that there are opportunities around every corner that you just haven’t allowed yourself to see earlier. “All psychological growth involves progressively more sophisticated separations from our previous point of view,” Tina Gilbertson, LPC explains. When the rules are broken, you understand that you don’t have to trade your time for money and that the income potential is more significant compared to working for someone else. You have the decisive push to challenge yourself once in a while because you realize that it’s the only way for you to grow. Afterward, you will finally see how much time you have wasted on watching TV, reading newspapers, and surfing useless internet pages to fill your brain with all the negativity and the latest scandals.

Final Thoughts

So, where am I heading with all of this? I guess the message I want to convey here is that people should understand that the internet does give everyone a chance to do what he or she is passionate about and make a living by doing so. It is the medium of the 21st century, and it provides a vast network and market for people to pass on information to each other. In my opinion, nothing is better than spending your time on something you love. “Discovering what you love most is an adventure in itself,” Susan Biali Haas M.D. wrote. Some people who stick with the old mindset do not realize that, with the help of technology, you can connect with others and help make a difference in their lives.

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Ask yourself, “What am I passionate about?”

It is a lot more accessible than you may have imagined.

6 Things To Know About Multiple Sclerosis  

 

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MS is “widely considered an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the immune system of an otherwise normal person is tricked into attacking healthy parts of the body, MS causes damage in many areas of the nervous system. This leads to symptoms that are often different for different people. These include things as seemingly diverse as fatigue, walking problems, depression, cognitive impairment, muscle tightness, or bladder problems,” says Lauren Krupp, M.D., and Robert Charlson, M.D.

Going to a specialist to receive an assessment concerning multiple sclerosis can be nerve-wracking. With the illness being an autoimmune disease, it already clues you in on the possibility that you may have to deal with it forever. Despite that, it may be difficult to gauge just how painful it is for your immune system to attack your nerve cells on a regular basis.

But things become different when the doctor finally confirms that you do have multiple sclerosis. While you may look for a second or third opinion from other physicians, there’s a chance that you can’t escape MS anymore. All you can do now is to learn more about the ailment to make your new reality extra endurable.

 

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  1. Its Primary Cause Is Unclear

When you ask a health professional why you, of all people, acquired the disease, he or she can give you a few likely causes. You may not hear them say that it’s due to your lifestyle, genes, or something else, however, since it isn’t easy to pinpoint. The scientists need to conduct further studies before they can make definitive statements about it.

 

  1. The Symptoms May Change

The signs of multiple sclerosis can vary as well, although the immune system mainly goes after the nerves in the spine and brain. Thus, you can experience a numbing sensation in the beginning, along with faltering in your steps and exhaustion. Following that, you may feel dizzy and stiff at times and have issues with your thought process and bowel movement.

 

  1. It Has Four Diverse Types

You also need to know that there are four types of MS. When a doctor tells you that you have a “benign” kind, it means that your immunity won’t always target your nerves. The relapsing-remitting type, on the other hand, entails that the symptoms can come and go. Nonetheless, the illness may be more severe if you get diagnosed with primary or secondary progressive multiple sclerosis as that’s when the indications intensify.

 

  1. Stress And Other Things Can Trigger It

How does your body react when you have an infection or are too busy to sleep regularly? The brain automatically sends out a distress call to your immune system to protect your cells, of course. But for some unknown reason, the antibodies see the myelin covering of the nerves as foreign entities, so they damage it in the process. It is why you should live healthily from the moment you find out that you’re carrying an autoimmune disease – to prevent triggering it.

“When individuals are very stressed, particularly if they become anxious or depressed, their ability to think clearly and objectively may be affected. People can easily feel less capable or weaker than they truly are, and think that their situation is much worse than it really is,” says Steve Bressert, Ph.D.

  1. It Becomes Apparent In Your Mid- To Late-20s

In case you didn’t notice the symptoms above when you reached 20 or 22, you can’t assume that you are entirely free from multiple sclerosis. They may appear from the age of 25 and above; that’s why it’s best to be aware of the MS signals to watch out for now.

 

  1. There Are Treatment Options Available For It

The first remedy that a doctor may recommend to you is taking pills. You can try that, for sure, but bear in mind that autoimmune diseases are still incurable up to this day.

Another option is to improve your lifestyle and be selective about the foods you eat.

 

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“Researchers combined two complementary brain imaging techniques to study the relationship between hippocampal immune response, functional connections, and depressive symptoms. As such, the findings suggest that hippocampal inflammation could be the contributing cause of high rates of depression in multiple sclerosis,” according to Rick Nauert PhD.

Multiple sclerosis is a neurological sickness that may be impossible to get rid of once you catch it. Regardless of that, your life shouldn’t stop after the diagnosis. Find ways to cope with the symptoms, for instance, and treat your body with more care. That’s the only thing that can help you prevent the health condition from worsening.

3 Apps To Liven Up Your Boring Smartphone

Are you losing interest in your mobile device? If you only charge your smartphone these days so that your mom can check on you or your friends can text you the deets about your next restaurant or bar you are going to invade, then you are wasting the generous internal storage space you have been given, and the time you can while away with the most unique apps you will ever find online. Allow us to introduce you to some of them.

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Dog Licks Screen Wallpaper

If you love dogs, but you cannot be with them often because they are not allowed in the dorms, you are too busy to care for one, or your or one of your housemates is allergic to them, you can still feel their affection when you download the Dog Licks Screen wallpaper, albeit virtually.

The wallpaper is in a video format, so you will not end up with a still image of a dog with its tongue hanging out. The reason why this is better than a mere picture is that the former can get you as close as your LCD allows to having your hand or face by an adorable dog. Remember that licking is a pooch’s sweet way of showing their affection, their trust.

This app cannot send a live, yapping dog right at your doorstep, but it can make you feel the same warmth that you may experience once you are with the real thing.

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My4Faces Dreamland

Mobile games enhance someone’s focus and quick-mindedness, as well as improve their mood and creativity. If you are too exhausted from studying or work, it will be nice to be able to reach in your pocket, unlock your smartphone, and get wittier once more while having so much fun.

My4Faces Dreamland is one of the latest gaming apps you can find on Google PlayStore. In a nutshell, it can make your stress levels go down as you move up the game levels. This is explicitly designed in a way that you can forget some of the things that bother you in the real world and, yes, be in dreamland. The rules of the game are pretty straightforward; you do not have to be a tech genius to understand how you can get the most pleasure out of it. You will immediately feel like you have been using the app for a very long time.

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Bubble Shift Mania

Life is too short to let the activities or people do nothing but cause you bad luck. Even if you are a very accommodating person, sometimes you have to be firm at saying “no thanks” to those who are worthy of this reply. All the same, you should start being more receptive towards the things that may become your new favorite, like Bubble Shift Mania, for instance.

This online game will let you release all your pent-up energy and emotions by popping as many bubbles as you can in one go. You cannot bring back the time, but you can play this game while thinking of every regrettable decision you have made as every bubble that bursts on your screen. It is a great and adorable reminder too that pesky problems will always come up, but you are more than capable of clearing your path.

 

The common denominator of these three applications is that they can all be had for free! So, feel free to check them out anytime. A little advice, though: try not to get addicted to them if you can help it.

4 Benefits Of Visiting A Dentist Regularly

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As the world bears witness to various advancements that humans generate daily, the people who belong to the food and beverage industry are doing the same thing. In truth, a lot of chefs at present are into creating fusion dishes by combining ingredients from different regions. The more cuisines we get to choose from, though, the more we are all at risk of having cavities or other problems. Hence, here are the four benefits of visiting a dentist regularly.

1. Take Care Of The Gums

The gums are as important as the actual teeth. If the clients’ gums are weak and often affected by diseases, the teeth may weaken and fall off as well. It is not something that you can detect, though. This is why you need to check with a dental practitioner as often as possible. “These infections weaken the body’s immunity system and allow harmful bacteria to spread. If your gums are inflamed, consult with a dentist as soon as possible,” Sean Grover L.C.S.W. wrote.

2. Get Rid Of Bad Breath

If the patient works in the marketing industry and talks to many individuals face-to-face, it will be embarrassing if others can smell your bad breath. Even when you are studying, your classmates may not want to sit beside you if foul odor comes out of your mouth. This problem can be because of gum disease, decaying tooth, or food stuck in between the teeth. Regular brushing does not resolve it, so you have to let a dentist help you. According to Alessandro Villa, DDS, PhD, MPH, “Bad breath can originate both inside and outside of the mouth. Bad breath is typically caused by bacteria present on the teeth and debris on the tongue.”

3. Replace Teeth

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In case the customer has no other way to take care of their real teeth, he or she has to deal with the choice of receiving implant-supported dentures. The new piece of tooth or a set of teeth should come from a reliable doctor who understands how important it is in various industries to always show a great smile. Without gaining access to proper dental replacements, it may be difficult to see another person grin freely again.

4. Maintain The Whiteness of the Teeth

A great general dentist will be capable of introducing various teeth-whitening methods that are non-invasive and cannot hurt the individual. Knowing that one has such beautiful teeth can effectively increase his or her self-confidence and make it effortless for the person to offer a smile to a colleague or an acquaintance.

5. Strengthen The Teeth

Dentists have the right devices to get rid of cavities and diverse forms of bacteria that may be living in an individual’s mouth or in between their teeth. When they have these removed, he or she will have a higher chance of not even needing the implant-supported dentures.

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Final Thoughts

The worst-case scenario is that you will lose all your teeth and require false ones. Whether you like it or not, you cannot look after your pearly whites on your own. That is especially true if you have no self-control when it comes to choosing the foods that you will eat. Sour foods, for instance, can break down the enamel that protects your teeth. If you go for sweets and not brush them regularly, though, it can cause tooth decay.

“You might discover that your warm smile has not only the power to uplift others, but that it also offers a wonderful gift to yourself—the gift of enjoying more moments of being present and connected,” John Amodeo Ph.D., MFT said. Visit the dentist’s office near your place before it’s too late. Good luck!

Therapists Explain The Benefits Of Healthy Living On Your Mental Health

Therapists say a healthy lifestyle can be beneficial in several ways. Not only does it help promote a good physical condition, but it can also help improve both your emotional and mental well-being. “Staying fit is not just for your body. It is also important to keep a fit brain. Brain fitness is about keeping the mind sharp and preventing or battling cognitive disease.” This is according to Trudi Griffin, LPC. A healthy lifestyle can range from a variety of activities such as exercise, creating a balanced diet, to abstaining from alcohol and cigarettes.

In addition to that “The food you eat can have a direct effect on your energy level, physical health, and mood. A “healthy diet” is one that has enough of each essential nutrient, contains many foods from all of the basic food groups, provides the right amount of calories to maintain a healthy weight, and does not have too much fat, sugar, salt, or alcohol,” as stated by Carol A. Gooch, M.S., LPC, LCDC, LMFT

Indicators Of A Healthy Lifestyle

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You can ask yourself the following questions to determine whether or not you’re living a healthy lifestyle.

  • Do you smoke?
  • Do you eat at least two to three servings of fruits and vegetables every day?
  • Do you eat a variety of food (go, grow, glow) every day?
  • Do you limit your intake of salty, fried, fatty, and sugar-rich foods?
  • Do you drink at least eight glasses of water every day?
  • Do you exercise at least 30 minutes or more, five times a week?
  • Is your body mass index (BMI) within the normal range (18.5–24.9)?
  • Do you sleep for at least eight hours a day?

If your answer to most of these questions is no, then you probably need to change your lifestyle because you aren’t living a healthy one. You must reconsider how you live your daily life, knowing that the current one you’re living isn’t healthy.

A Healthy Lifestyle And A Healthy Mind

Therapists and psychologists have found a connection between a healthy body and a healthy mind. This idea is also accurate the other way around. It has a long history that started way back in the 4th-century bc, with Hippocrates acknowledging the moral and spiritual aspects of healing.

Hippocrates’ idea promoted the fact that the mind plays a vital role in balancing the healing of an individual. This idea was furthered by Walter Cannon, who coined the phrase “fight-or-flight response” and discovered a direct relationship between stress and neuroendocrine responses. With the help of more scientists and psychologists, they were indeed able to find a connection.

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Through different body-mind therapies, you form a connection. These therapies include cognitive–behavioral therapy, meditation, yoga, prayer, creative arts therapies, and hypnosis. These are some activities that require physical movement or interactions with our body.

We can further strengthen their connection, knowing that each mental state has physiology associated with it. You can experience the relationship through the release of hormones.

Benefits Of A Healthy Lifestyle

Now that we know the connection between the mind and body, we can look into the benefits of a healthy lifestyle so that we can appreciate it even further. Here are five of the most notable benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

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  1. It improves your immune system. A healthy lifestyle helps you lower the risk of developing any diseases like cancer, obesity, heart conditions, or others. Smoking, alcohol, or any other forms of unhealthy living are especially related to these illnesses.
  2. It boosts your mood and energy. Regular exercise can help boost your mood and energy. Exercise can also help improve your cardiovascular health. Thus, it is essential to leave some time for a simple walk around a park or even just an early morning jog. Physical activity stimulates your endorphin, a brain chemical that gives you the feeling of joy and relaxation. Other healthy habits you can try out include making social connections and volunteering.
  3. It promotes healthy weight loss. A healthy diet can give you a better physique. By eating the right amount and with enough variety, you avoid excess weight gain. If you do this regularly, you’re sure to maintain a healthy weight. You need to monitor the calorie content of the food you eat so that you can control your weight. Avoid skipping meals since this increases your blood sugar. Also, remember to limit your consumption of sugary beverages like fruit juice and soda. You can also consider consuming lean meat.
  4. It enhances sleep. Proper diet and exercise help you get better sleep. By sleeping for at least 8 hours, you lower the risk of developing sleep disorders like insomnia. Enough sleep also allows you to feel like you’ve got the rest you need after a long day at work. Not having enough sleep often leaves you feeling tired upon waking up. According to Jann Gumbiner, Ph.D “Regular sleep is important. Sleep has restorative power and evidence shows that sleep enhances memory and improves attention. Sleep is not an option. It is essential.”
  5. It helps you make better decisions. You improve your mental well-being and become more capable of making the right decisions. You become less clouded with distractions and remain focused on the things you need to accomplish. Having a clear and healthy mind can ultimately help you reach your dreams and goals.

Are you considering changing your lifestyle? The best time to start is now!

Psychologists Agree That Chronic Diseases Are Everybody’s Business

Individuals suffer at least one chronic disease and mental health problem in their lives. There are diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, stroke, and even mental health conditions. Nearly one out of four of these people have problems accepting and addressing the situation. With that, there is a restriction of daily physical activities, problem-solving capabilities, as well as limited cognitive use. The developing number of individuals undergoing severe health conditions put an alarm in the medical field. And since mental health issues are the ones that seem to take less of the public’s interest compared to all other chronic diseases, psychologists try to emphasize on it.

According to Katie Willard Virant MSW, JD, LCSW, “To live with chronic illness is to live with a heightened sense of uncertainty.  We do not know when our symptoms will flare, if and when our illness will worsen, and whether or how well treatment will work.”

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Generalized Anxiety Disorder

Perhaps people already know what anxiety is and how it potentially affects each of their lives. But first, it is essential to note that there are different kinds of anxiety disorders. There is social anxiety, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, generalized anxiety disorder is the most common and specific type of them all. Its causes are not fully understood. However, it is more likely a combination of both emotional and biological factors. The condition marks excessive worry and fear. “People with this disorder worry about a number of concerns, such as health problems or finances, and may have a general sense that something bad is going to happen. Symptoms include restlessness, irritability, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, sleep problems and generally feeling on edge,” C. Vaile Wright, PhD and collaborators note. There is uneasiness that lasts for about six months or longer. The disease manifests both physical and emotional symptoms too. In the emotional aspect, it includes persistent, exaggerated, and unrealistic fear that significantly impacts a healthy life. While on the physiological point, it makes the heart beats faster, breathing becomes rapid and shallow, and there is lightheadedness, nervousness, muscle tension, as well as stomach problems.

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Depression

Depression is one of the most widely known mental illnesses that seem misunderstood and taken lightly. Its characterization includes lower mood levels and emotional meltdowns. It averts activities that affect a person’s behavior, thoughts, feelings, and sense of well-being.  It affects people at any age in various phases of their lives under different circumstances too. It is not well-defined what causes the mental condition to arise. However, studies show a significant relation of the disease to biological processes, personal circumstances, psychological factors, and particular events in life. These include an early life experience such as emotional neglect, trauma from sexual and physical abuse, and even poor parent-child relationship. Depression can manifest in several various signs. “It is a mood disorder characterized by prolonged feelings of sadness and loss of interest in daily activities,” Dina Cagliostro, PhD added. But the symptoms that people should look out for are the feeling of emotionally low all the time, loss of energy and motivation, general lack of interest on things, difficulty in concentration, and self-isolation. Though it targets the emotional aspect more, the physical impact gets no exemption as well. Depression also shows restlessness; it causes sleep problems, loss of appetite, rapid loss or gain of weight, and decreased sexual desire.

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Bipolar Disorder

Bipolar disorder is a common mental condition that affects a vast number of individuals. It manifests in either type 1 or 2 complications. Individuals with bipolar I have at least one episode of mania. It appears as an elevated abnormal mood partnered with high energy. It alternates with periods of severe depression. However, bipolar II differs due to hypomania and depressive episodes. It contains a less elevated mood. Meaning, it is not as intense as the latter, but it can create an instant shift from being happy and active to sad and dormant. But whatever the types are, the symptoms are almost the same for the two types of conditions. Both of the states include mania or feeling overly happy for an extended period. There is also a feeling of sadness and hopelessness, and it supports extreme fatigues the same as depression. In some other cases, people with bipolar disorder are impulsive and irrational.  The cause of the condition is unclear. Unfortunately, it can last a lifetime.

All of these mental conditions are what almost all people are experiencing. With its severity, chances of brain damage get handed on the table. People can expect chronic mental conditions such as dementia, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.

Managing and treating chronic mental illnesses place a significant burden on society and health systems. Its conditions are growing, and tons of people are getting affected by it. So since its presence takes a toll on all of the individual lives, everyone should do something about it. Everybody should raise awareness and understand what these mental health problems can do to the community.