Archives for 2022

If you’re like many people, the past year has been a challenging one. Maybe you’ve experienced economic hardship, job loss, or illness. Perhaps you’re struggling with anxiety or depression. 

Or maybe you’re just feeling overwhelmed and uncertain about the future. If so, it’s important to remember that it’s perfectly normal to feel this way. And while it may not be easy, there are things you can do to reestablish your sense of well-being. 

Here are three tips to get you started: 

Connect with Nature 

Spend time outside in nature, and take in the sights and sounds of the natural world around you, which can help you feel more connected to the world and provide a sense of peace and calm. 

Start with going outside every couple of hours, spending 30 minutes at a time. Dress accordingly, and don’t let the weather deter you. Watch the sunrise or sunset. The colors of the sky and the peace of the beginning or end of the day are very welcoming.

Exercise Regularly 

Physical activity releases endorphins, which have mood-boosting effects. Exercise can also help reduce stress and anxiety. Go for frequent walks or hikes. 

Go swimming or head to your local gym to lift weights. Take a dance lesson, go running, or rollerblading. The important thing is to get your body moving. 

Find a Hobby or Activity That Brings You Joy 

Doing something that you enjoy can help boost your mood and give you a sense of purpose. It can also help take your mind off of negative thoughts and events. Turn off the TV and put down your phone. 

This is a great time to focus on all the interests you have been putting off. Read a book, meditate, go on a trip, or learn something new. There is an abundance of things we can do that focus on the positive in our lives.

If you have decided to seek help from a mental health professional, you might be wondering which type is best suited to provide you with care. While similar, each type of mental health professional differs in the type of services they provide.

Psychologist

Psychologists administer and interpret various tests related to personality, aptitudes, and emotions. They evaluate a person’s mental health and can diagnose mental disorders. Psychologists treat mental health disorders through the provision of psychotherapy.

Seeing a psychologist can be a good choice if you are hoping to gain a deeper understanding of your mental health. Psychologists can help you to find the root causes of what is creating challenges for you. 

Mental Health Counselor

A mental health counselor can assess and evaluate a person’s mental health and create treatment plans for patients. They can provide psychotherapy as well as case management services.

You may choose to see a mental health counselor if you are looking for a combination of therapeutic services and more practical case management support.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

A licensed clinical social worker can diagnose mental disorders and develop treatment plans. They can evaluate a person’s mental health and provide psychotherapy and case management. They also identify resources in the community that are beneficial to the patient and advocate on their behalf.

Licensed clinical social workers can be a great fit for someone who would like the support of a professional in all areas of their life. Social workers address not just mental health, but social determinants of health like housing, education, and violence.

Psychiatrist

Psychiatrists are medical doctors who have completed a residency in psychiatry. They can diagnose mental health disorders and provide therapy. Psychiatrists are also able to prescribe and monitor medication.

For patients who are seeking medication to manage a mental health disorder, psychiatrists are an excellent option.

SHRM states that as much as four percent of the adult population has ADHD. Of those individuals, only about 1 in 5 will have a diagnosis or treatment plan. ADHD Symptoms can have an impact on the work these individuals do. Understanding what they are can aid in developing a plan to minimize their effects on business success.

According to Mayo Clinic, adults with ADHD struggle with issues in attention, impulsivity, and typically coexist with other psychological and learning challenges, which can make treatment difficult. While the cause of ADHD is unknown, researchers suggest that genetics, environment, and issues at critical moments of development could be factors.

Attention

Difficulties in the area of attention include:

• Distractability either by external noises and activities or by internal thoughts and daydreams.
• Forgetfulness
• Inability to focus on a conversation.
• Time management issues include procrastination in starting a task, difficulty staying with a large task to completion, and meeting deadlines. 
• Boredom “blackouts” or loss of time during conversations or tasks
• Overlooking or missing details in paperwork or task

Impulsivity

Individuals with ADHD may display impulsiveness in ways that can negatively affect the workplace, such as:

• Becoming easily frustrated
• Losing interest quickly
• Having mood swings
• Seeming to have a short fuse or temper outbursts
• Interrupting conversations or talking over others
• Multitasking issues
• Lacking organizational skills

Hyperactivity

Employees with ADHD may seem to be:

• Restless
• Unable to relax
• Talking excessively
• Unable to remain seated for the expected amount of time.

Business success is still achievable, and turning ADHD into an advantage is possible with creativity and help. CHADD.org, a leading advocate for children and adults with ADHD, lists nine common symptoms that can interfere with business success along with some solutions to assist in overcoming those difficulties. 

As the world continues to fight through this global pandemic, people experience various emotions from sadness to frustration to fear, especially in a dense city like New York. It can be tough taking care of your mental health and feeling positive when the world is in such distress. 

Here are three tips for dealing with the pandemic without fear. 

Stay Informed

Fear often stems from a lack of information or understanding, so one of the best ways to reduce your anxiety is to research the virus so you don’t feel so in the dark.

Staying informed does not mean you should be picking up your phone to check CNN every twenty minutes or have FOX news on in the background all day long. Give yourself time and space away from the current state of things, but don’t become ignorant or disconnected from the situation.

Support Others

Humans lean on one another during hard times, and the pandemic should be no exception. Even if you are social-distancing or isolated at home, reach out to your friends, family, and people you see routinely. 

Don’t let valuable connections fade or sit on the back burner because the instability in the world consumes you. In supporting others, you will, in turn, feel supported and connected to people even if you can’t be physically with them. 

Prioritize Your Mental Health

It can be easy to let yourself slip into poor habits and moods when the world is in such a sad state. Some people feel less inclined to focus on their mental health when they don’t have many social interactions. 

On the contrary, this is one of the most crucial times to reach out to professionals to maintain your mind. So whether this means medication or meditation, make sure you keep your mental wellness as your top priority. 

Just remember, you are not alone in your feelings of fear and stress. 

While most people are well aware of the benefits of exercise on the body, what is less well known is the effects of exercise on the brain and mental health. Does the health of the body have any impact on the brain? Does your level of physical fitness have any effect on your mental health?

Effects of Exercise on the Body and Mind

Regular exercise makes it easier to maintain a healthy lifestyle. With the positive effects of regular exercise on the body, what effect does regular exercise have on the brain? Can exercise help improve mental health?

Dopamine and Serotonin

When we exercise, our body produces chemicals that can help boost our moods. These chemicals are serotonin and dopamine, both of which impact our lives for the better in many ways. In fact, these chemicals also help us sleep deeply at night, which can also impact how we feel emotionally.

Exercise and Self-Esteem

One large factor in mental health is our self-esteem. When we don’t see ourselves as valuable and worthwhile, our mental health suffers. Fortunately, physical activity can see a marked improvement in self-esteem, which in turn can bolster our mental health.

Stress and Mental Health

If our bodies stay in a state of stress for a long enough time, then our mental health can take a dive. However, routine exercise increases our endorphins, which in turn help us to manage stress better. Needless to say, when stress levels lower, our mental well-being improves, and we can feel more like ourselves again.

Lower Anxiety Levels

Anxiety, like stress, can eat away at our emotional wellness, leading to insomnia and depression. Physical activity like exercise can combat anxiety, starting by helping our muscles relax and balancing out our stress hormones, which can make symptoms of anxiety worse.