Naturally, identifying stress is difficult. For some, stressful situations are thrilling or hardly raise eyebrows; for example, public speaking may be invigorating for one individual while causing paralyzing anxiety for another.
Wearable devices have promised lots of new health benefits in recent years, including stress management. Here is a product you should know about.
It's estimated that most of us only use 10% of our brain. Is this a true statement, or is it simply another urban legend?
Many organs have more capacity than we require on a daily basis. You can live without a complete lung or kidney, as well as your appendix, thymus, and spleen, for example. However, this is not the case with the brain. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) studies indicate that humans use their whole brains on a daily basis. Some areas of the body may be more active than others at any one time or during a specific activity. However, no region of the brain is known to be entirely useless or underused.
Undesired thoughts may make you feel anxious, but they are frequent – and there are techniques you can take to deal with them.
It seems to appear out of nowhere – an odd, unsettling notion or image that appears in your head. It might be aggressive or sexual, or it could be a persistent fear of doing something wrong or embarrassing. Whatever the topic, it's usually disturbing and might make you feel worried or ashamed. The more you attempt to drive the notion out of your head, the stronger it becomes.
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, six million Americans are estimated to be affected by intrusive thoughts.
Intrusive thoughts are sometimes linked to a mental health problem, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which thoughts become so annoying that they inspire recurrent activities or compulsions to avoid them. They're also frequent in post-traumatic stress disorder, which is brought on by a life-threatening or very stressful incident like an accident or a violent attack. Many people who have similar ideas, however, do not have a mental health condition, according to Dr Kerry-Ann Williams, a psychiatry instructor at Harvard Medical School.
Ginkgo biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a tree native to Asia that is sometimes referred to as a living fossil since trees similar to contemporary kinds flourished over 250 million years ago. While it is commonly thought to be a tonic for boosting memory, new research has begun to discover other mental health advantages. Ginkgo has been proven to enhance cognitive function and anxiety in elderly people with cognitive impairment. Cognitive function, anxiety, anger, sadness, and sleep were all improved in a separate trial of dementia patients.
However, the advantages appear to extend beyond older people with cognitive issues. In a study of over 100 younger individuals with anxiety problems, ginkgo was found to provide considerable anti-anxiety effects. In most cases, the extract is well tolerated.
Things to keep an eye on in life are things that deal with our emotions and how we treat other people. These factors may have a detrimental impact on our future.
*1. Fear
*2. Ignorance
*3 Anger
*4. Envy
Are you looking forward to the upcoming week? Do you get the sensation of being younger than your age? Do you possess a sense of direction? If this is the case, you may already be reducing your risk of degenerative illnesses and maybe adding years to your life.
Your outlook—a feeling of optimism and purpose—seems to be predictive of health outcomes," says Dr Laura Kubzansky, a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health professor of social and behavioural sciences. Dr Kubzansky has conducted research on the health consequences of various types of psychological well-being. She discovered that emotional vitality—characterized by optimism, participation in life, and the capacity to deal with life's challenges in a balanced manner—is related to a much lower risk of heart attack and stroke.
Emotional vitality's advantages
Dr Kubzansky and her colleagues evaluated data on emotional vitality and health outcomes from the Nationwide Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a long-running national study that includes both personal interviews and medical examinations.
In 2007, she and her colleagues found that among 6,025 individuals, those with high levels of emotional vitality at the start had considerably reduced risks of cardiovascular illness 15 years afterwards. They found in 2015 that higher emotional liveliness was related to a reduced risk of stroke in 6,019 people followed for an average of 16 years.
Dysthymia is the term for this condition, which frequently remains undetected and hence undiagnosed and untreated.
Every everyone, at some time in their life, will experience depression. You may be lacking in energy, having difficulty sleeping, or simply feeling lousy. The sensation frequently passes, or it comes and goes, but does not appear to be a cause for alarm. However, if these blue sensations persist, they may be a sign of dysthymia or low-grade depression. While dysthymia is a less severe form of depression, it should be taken carefully.
It is difficult to Diagnosis
Dysthymia can manifest itself in brief bouts separated by significant time intervals. You may have dysthymia if your gloomy mood is present on a greater number of days than not, lasts more than two years without an interruption of at least two months, and is accompanied by some of the following symptoms:
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental illness that is defined by difficulties with social interaction and communication, as well as by restricted and repetitive behavioural patterns. It is a prevalent disease, affecting around one in every 54 children. ASD is often diagnosed by a specialist in the field, such as a developmental paediatrician, child neurologist, or psychiatrist. The diagnostic procedure frequently entails prolonged clinical evaluations or multiple-hour-long standardized testing batteries. As a result, wait periods for ASD evaluations can be rather lengthy.
While symptoms of ASD can manifest as early as 18 months and diagnosis is reliable by age 2, many children do not get an ASD diagnosis until much later in life, resulting in treatment delays during a key developmental time. A prompt diagnosis is critical because it enables suitable early intensive intervention services to be provided, which are more successful when initiated during the early developmental stage. The complicated referral and evaluation procedure exacerbate healthcare disparities, with the greatest delays in diagnosis occurring in children who are nonwhite, female, rural, or of poor socioeconomic level.
A new diagnostic instrument has been authorized.
To address these issues, a research team has been creating technologies that make ASD evaluations more easy and accessible. Recently, the FDA authorized a novel gadget for this purpose. This diagnostic assistance device is designed to be used in primary care settings in conjunction with a clinical evaluation to aid in the establishment of an ASD diagnosis in children ages 18 months to 5 years who exhibit possible ASD symptoms. The device's purpose is to focus on the most critical components of an autism evaluation and condense them into a much shorter form.
The death of a loved one can have a lasting effect on one's mental and emotional health for months, if not years. The following information will assist you in navigating the grief process.
Regrettable as it is, grief is a part of existence. Almost everyone will face the loss of a loved one at some point, whether it is a family, a friend, a spouse, or a cherished pet. The resulting mental and physical anguish can be severe.
"Grief is a natural process that the vast majority of people must go through," Dr David H. explains. Rosmarin, head of McLean Hospital's Spirituality and Mental Health Program. "Everyone grieves differently and at a different rate, and the process is critical to healing."
Different types of grieving
Sadness, hopelessness, melancholy, wrath, apathy, and guilt are all symptoms of grief. Prolonged grieving can also result in other difficulties, such as memory problems, discomfort and tiredness, and compulsive behaviour, such as getting preoccupied with trivial stuff.
There are several types of grief (some experts place the number as high as 16). However, according to Dr Rosmarin, the majority of people confront one of three scenarios: regular, disenfranchised, or complex. Grieving: A natural process that aids in healing
The distinctions between them are frequently subtle. They frequently appear as how individuals initially react to loss, the depth of their grieving, and the endurance of their mourning. "Each of these three possesses a distinct level of difficulty," Dr Rosmarin adds. "Natural is challenging, disenfranchised is somewhat more challenging, and complicated is the most challenging."
Here is a breakdown of each.
Normal. This is the most frequent kind of grieving, often known as simple grief. Grief often lasts from six months and two to three years.
Disenfranchised. This kind is not often recognized or socially acceptable. It might happen as a result of the death of a pet, a distant acquaintance, or even a stranger. "People believe they lack the right to mourn or that it should be reduced," Dr Rosmarin explains. "By imposing this sort of limitation and timeline on grieving, it might lengthen and exacerbate the process."
Complicated. In many instances, individuals struggle to accept their loss. They withdraw from friends and family and suffer from sadness, loneliness, and paralysis. This complicates healing, and they frequently require the assistance of a therapist. Complicated grief without counselling might continue for several years.
Diverse causes of grief
Grief does not have to be associated with loss. It may occur when someone you care about experiences a lasting setback, such as dementia, stroke, or cancer. Grief may also be triggered by the loss of a relationship, a move to a new location, or any other type of personal separation.
Appropriate mourning
When it comes to sadness, the adage "time cures all wounds" is partially accurate. It may be a quick and rather easy operation for individuals. For others, the trip is lengthy and difficult. Even after the mourning phase has passed, the sentiments may resurface on anniversaries, birthdays, or other occasions that evoke recollections of the individual.
There is only so much we can do to help people manage their grief, according to Dr Rosmarin. "The most effective approach to cope with loss is to seek ways to make the mourning and healing processes less difficult." The following are some possibilities.
Acknowledge your sadness. Allow yourself to mourn. "Do not confine it within and hope it goes gone," Dr Rosmarin advises. "Focusing solely on external pressures rather than internal feelings and repressing emotions exacerbates the grief process and makes it more difficult to go through."
Preserve keepsakes. Keeping mementoes of a person is a perfectly natural and healthy behaviour. "It's a method to maintain that relationship link and his or her memory as you grieve," Dr Rosmarin explains.
Accept the individual's community. Make contact with that person's social network – relatives, friends, neighbours, and coworkers — even if you are unfamiliar with them. "Gathering information about the individual from others and exchanging tales aids everyone in the process," Dr Rosmarin explains. "Plus, anyone may take on the role of a listener, which is really useful for those in grief."
Consult with others who have experienced loss. You might know someone who has suffered a similar loss. Inquire as to how they grieved. "Listening to another person's viewpoint might provide insight into how to handle one's own sadness," Dr Rosmarin explains.
Investigate spirituality. Spirituality, in all of its manifestations, maybe a potent healer. "Contemplating the natural progression of life and death may be extremely transformational," Dr Rosmarin explains. "It may even help you accept the loss more readily if you embrace your own mortality."
Sources: Health.Harvard.
You are concerned about your nutrition. You work out regularly and make an effort to sleep well each night. However, you may have overlooked one critical component of a healthy body and mind: a vibrant social life.
How does social interaction affect your brain?
Research increasingly demonstrates, are critical for brain health strong and social relationships. Social interaction can boost attention and memory while also assisting in the strengthening of brain networks. You may be smiling and talking, but your brain is hard at work. This increase in brain effort eventually pays off.
According to scientists, individuals with strong social relationships are less likely to develop cognitive decline than individuals who spend most of their time alone. Indeed, one major study with over 12,000 participants found that when people are lonely, their chance of developing dementia increases by as much as 40%.
Are you feeling disoriented? Three strategies for re-engaging
It can be challenging to maintain social connections as we age. Friendships may ebb and flow throughout time, and family members are frequently preoccupied with their own lives. Additionally, the epidemic has made it increasingly difficult to meet individuals in person. Therefore, how do you re-engage?
Three-pointers to get you started are included below.
Rekindle long-forgotten friendships.
Reconnecting with excellent friends with whom you've lost touch over the years is one of the simplest methods to discover satisfying partnerships. Because you have a common background, it's frequently easier to begin up where you left off. Social networking may be a simple method to reconnect with individuals from your past and re-establish a connection that has lapsed. Alternatively, scan your address book and contact individuals by phone or email.
Nine things that make a group chat active.
1. Learn to appreciate the posts of others, even if they are not your friends.
It gives them a sense of importance and encourages them to think about something more positive.
*2. In a group conversation, never run someone down on the platform.
You will drive them away and they will never express their objective viewpoints on topics.
*3. If you notice something from a member that you don't like, send them a private message.
Don't make a public assault on him/her on the platform.
*4. Never degrade or speak in a derogatory manner to members.
Deep breathing might help you relax and change your perspective.
Instead of snuggling up with Netflix, go watch a movie in the theatre (though this can help sometimes, too). Instead of concentrating on your unpleasant day, it will help you to disengage and immerse yourself in the imaginary narrative.
Write down the events or situations that brought you down to gain some perspective on how little or significant these difficulties are in the grand scheme of things.
Make a phone call to the individual who always reminds you why you're great. Make a plan with someone who lives nearby if it's someone you know.
To raise your mood, read some inspiring quotations.
Supporting a middle schooler who has been bullied
Your heart begins to sink. Perhaps you recall how middle school can be a struggle for relationships in a variety of ways. You might feel protective and want to contact your friend's parents to give them a piece of your mind, but try to avoid that urge. Being present for your kid right now is one of the finest ways to assist them. How do you go about doing it, and what other options do you have? Three suggestions are provided below.
Do gadgets to help you sleep better work?
What are the best devices to help sleep?
Sound machines and "white noise" generators
These are small devices that can be kept at your bedside. They play sounds from nature such as rain, forest breeze, birds, waterfall city noises. These devices help especially when you have environmental noises disturbing your sleep. The goal is to block out the noise that is disrupting your sleep.
Earbuds for sleep
These earphones are specifically designed for sleeping and are not intended for listening to music. They are soft enough to be used as a sleeping surface on your side. Set on specific frequencies they are used to cancel noise. Reducing noise is a great way to help you get a better night's sleep," says Dr Epsten.
The cost is around $100.
1. Make an effort to listen with empathy. When someone speaks to you, practice paying close attention and taking the time to understand what they're saying.
2. Keep the focus on the other person while they're talking to you about a problem; don't turn it into a discussion about a problem you're having.
3. Maintain your composure. Keep calm during arguments to ensure that they are productive rather than damaging. If you can't keep your cool right now, take a step back and ask to resume the subject when you're in a better mood.
4. HALT. Keep the acronym HALT in mind. Ask yourself if you're hungry, angry (furious), lonely, or tired (weary) when you're upset about something. If this is the case, "pause" to meet those needs before returning to the problem.
5. Interact with people in person. Social media can sometimes exacerbate a tense relationship. On the internet, people may engage in more hostile confrontations than they do in person. Reducing time spent online fosters face-to-face, phone-to-phone, or video-to-video contact, which is frequently less contentious than words uttered from behind a keyboard, such as in text messages.
Positive relationships can improve one's health; but, when it comes to dysfunctional relationships, the opposite is typically true. Chronic emotional stress may increase your chance of developing a variety of health problems.
A partner, a family member, a friend, or a professional colleague might all be in a stressful relationship.
While your connections with others may appear to be beyond your control but there are always certain warning indications that you are in a toxic relationship. These include the following:
After interactions, you may feel exhausted or depleted.
Ruminating on the relationship's bad aspects
Feeling as if your relationship is unbalanced as if one partner provides or takes more than the other
You have the impression that the other person does not value or respect you.
Examine the relationship's tendencies throughout time. Is it fair to say that there has been more take than give? Is it a tense situation? "It's a red signal to take a closer look if you identify such indicators in yourself.
Positive psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on positive thinking and approach. Positive Psychology has been related to improved health, a longer lifespan, and a higher sense of well-being.
Positive thought has a lot of power. Positive emotions have been related to improved health, a longer lifespan, and a higher sense of well-being. Chronic anger, anxiety, and animosity, on the other hand, raise the risk of heart disease.
Being joyful comes naturally and effortlessly to some individuals. Others will have to put forth the effort. What steps may one take to become happier? This is where positive psychology enters the picture. This relatively young topic of study has been looking at how people and institutions may aid in the pursuit of greater happiness and purpose. It has discovered a number of paths to happiness:
You probably already know that maintaining good heart health necessitates a healthy diet, regular exercise, and the management of well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure. But did you realize that your brain also has an impact on your heart's health?
Researchers have increasingly discovered correlations between poor mental health and an increased risk of heart disease in recent years. This isn't unexpected, given how mental illnesses may impact your behaviour. If you're sad, for example, you're less inclined to exercise regularly or to consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
Furthermore, some mental health difficulties and mental health illnesses can cause physical changes in the body, which can increase cardiac risk in a variety of ways.