Unlocking The Power Of The Mind: Exploring Neuroplasticity And Mindfulness

Unlocking The Power Of The Mind: Exploring Neuroplasticity And Mindfulness – Body Mind Counseling

Ever wondered why children can learn a lot of new things, but older adults are set in their ways and can’t change? This is because of a specific quality of the human brain called neuroplasticity. The more neuroplastic a brain is, the more receptive it is to new experiences and learning new things.

However, it’s not entirely true that older adults can learn something new. It’s possible for adults to have high levels of neuroplasticity even late in life.

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Understanding Neuroplasticity

Neuroplasticity is a property of the brain that allows it to rewire itself and react to things that happen to it. This helps it learn new things, such as in school, a class, or in any new experience.

The human brain has relatively high levels of  neuroplasticity when we’re children, but it tends to decrease as people age. Children have to learn many new things in a relatively short span of time, so having high neuroplasticity helps children develop the skills they’ll need as they grow up.

Neuroplasticity decreases as people get older, but it’s possible to maintain high levels of neuroplasticity later in life.

Mechanisms Of Neuroplasticity

Another way to understand neuroplasticity is that it’s actually a measure of something. Whenever you try to learn something new or get better at a skill you already have, your brain forms new neural connections.

Your brain might also forge these connections in response to an injury. For example, if you suffer from head trauma, you may find it difficult to perform specific tasks or access particular memories. Neuroplasticity can help you access skills or memories you once thought lost.

Your brain creates or reinforces these neural connections in specific ways depending on how or what you need to learn or re-learn. There are several ways your brain can do this:

Synaptic Plasticity

  • Synaptic Strengthening: Repeated use of certain neural pathways strengthens the synapses in these pathways, enhancing their efficiency.
  • Synaptic Pruning: Conversely, synapses that are rarely used are weakened and eventually eliminated, a process known as synaptic pruning. This helps the brain conserve resources and focus on more frequently used neural connections.

Cortical Remapping

  • Functional Reorganization: If a part of the brain is damaged, other areas can sometimes adapt and take over its functions. This is particularly evident in cases of brain injury or sensory deprivation (e.g., blindness or deafness).
  • Compensatory Masquerade: Sometimes, the brain develops new strategies to accomplish the same task, rather than directly taking over the function of a damaged area.

Neurogenesis

Traditionally, people believed that new neurons could not be generated in adulthood, but research has shown that neurogenesis does occur in certain brain regions, like the hippocampus, which is crucial for learning and memory.

Changes In Neurochemical Systems

Changes in the levels of various neurotransmitters (chemical messengers in the brain) can alter neural plasticity, influencing learning and mood regulation.

Changes In Intrinsic Neuronal Excitability

The intrinsic excitability of neurons (how easily a neuron fires) can change, which influences how effectively neural networks communicate.

Axonal Sprouting

When a neuron is damaged, other neurons can extend new axonal projections to form connections with neurons that were previously connected to the damaged cell.

Myelination

The process of forming a myelin sheath around the axons of neurons increases the speed and efficiency of electrical signal transmission.

Dendritic Branching

Neurons grow new dendritic branches, increasing their ability to form connections with other neurons.

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Factors Influencing Neuroplasticity

Just like your health, neuroplasticity is affected by several factors, including your health, environment, and even what you do in your everyday life.

  • Age: Children generally have high levels of neuroplasticity. It’s still possible to learn new skills as an adult, but decreasing neuroplasticity can make it difficult.
  • Learning and Experiences: Engaging in new learning activities and diverse experiences can stimulate brain changes, enhancing neuroplasticity even as an adult.
  • Stress and Emotions: Chronic stress can negatively affect neuroplasticity, while positive emotions and stress management can enhance it.
  • Physical Activity: Regular exercise is known to boost brain function and neuroplasticity, likely through increased blood flow and neurotrophic factors.
  • Social Interactions: Socializing and maintaining relationships contribute to cognitive health and can positively influence neuroplasticity.
  • Nutrition and Diet: A healthy diet, rich in essential nutrients, supports brain health and can enhance neuroplastic capabilities.
  • Sleep: Adequate sleep is critical for neuroplastic processes, particularly those involved in memory consolidation and learning.

Neuroplasticity Mindfulness: Not All Positive

Neuroplasticity is an excellent way to measure how well we learn new things or unlearn old ones. However, having high levels of neuroplasticity can also leave someone open to learning harmful or negative habits, skills, or beliefs. As neuroplasticity decreases, it can become difficult to change negative behaviors if they’ve already been learned.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a mental practice that encourages people to actively use their brain to be in the present moment. To use a metaphor, it’s the difference between “looking vs seeing”. When you only look at something, you simply acknowledge its presence. Conversely, “seeing” something means being able to observe something and understand several details about it.

Mindfulness has some roots in meditative practices. However, it’s not limited to quiet meditation — mindfulness can be used outside of meditation practices and all throughout ones everyday life.

Mindfulness Techniques

  1. Focused Breathing: This is a form of mindfulness training that involves concentrating solely on your breath, and observing the inhalation and exhalation process without attempting to change it. It is a form of meditation training that anchors the mind in the present moment, reducing distractions and promoting a sense of calm.
  2. Body Scan Meditation: In this practice, attention is sequentially directed to different parts of the body, noting sensations without judgment. It fosters a heightened awareness of bodily sensations based on somatic psychology techniques and can lead to a deeper understanding of physical emotion control and stressors.
  3. Mindful Observation: This involves selecting an object within your immediate environment and focusing all of your attention on it, observing it in detail. This practice has the brain function that helps in cultivating a deep sense of presence and self awareness, encouraging a disconnection from internal thoughts and worries.

The Science Behind Mindfulness

Mindfulness practice has been shown to reduce activity in the amygdala, the brain’s center for processing fear and stress, leading to decreased anxiety and stress responses. Functional MRI studies indicate that mindfulness increases gray matter density in the hippocampus, which is crucial for learning and memory, and enhances connectivity in the brain’s default mode network, associated with self-referential thoughts and mind-wandering.

Regular mindfulness practice can lower blood pressure and improve immune cognitive functions, demonstrating its beneficial physiological effects. Neuroscientific research also suggests that mindfulness can improve emotional regulation by enhancing the prefrontal cortex’s ability to modulate emotional responses generated in the limbic system.

Mindfulness-based interventions have been effective in reducing symptoms of various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Cognitive benefits, such as improved attention, concentration, and decision-making, have been linked to mindfulness training and practices beneficial for cognitive functioning.

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Neuroplasticity And Mindfulness – A Synergistic Relationship

Engaging in mindfulness training and practice can help your brain build or maintain neuroplasticity. As an adult, this means that you can learn to adapt to new environments and experiences or help you learn new skills.

Where neuroplasticity is a biological property of how our brains work inside the brain region, mindfulness training is a practice we can use to actively keep our minds sharp. These two concepts, when used together, can help people retain or improve their cognitive abilities or help with emotion control and stress management.

Mindfulness And Brain Structure

Research has demonstrated that mindfulness can lead to structural changes in areas of the brain cells that is associated with memory, empathy, and stress regulation. For instance, mindfulness meditation has been linked to increased gray matter density in the left hippocampus, known for its role in learning and memory, and decreased gray matter in the amygdala, which is involved in stress and anxiety inside the brain networks.

Enhancing Neuroplasticity Through Mindfulness

Mindfulness can be seen as a tool to harness the brain’s plastic nature. By cultivating mindfulness, individuals can actively influence their brain’s wiring, leading to more adaptive, positive patterns of thought and behavior.

Practical Tips For Harnessing Neuroplasticity Through Mindfulness

Incorporating mindfulness training into your daily routine can be a powerful way to engage neuroplasticity for positive mental health outcomes. Here are some practical tips:

Daily Mindfulness Practices

Simple exercises, such as spending a few minutes each day focusing on your breath or engaging in mindful walking, can be a good start. The key is consistency and intention.

Mindfulness and Habit Formation

Mindfulness can aid in forming new, positive habits and breaking old, negative ones. By becoming more aware of your thoughts and actions, you can make changes that reinforce positive neural pathways.

Neuroplasticity and Mindfulness

The exploration of neuroplasticity and mindfulness offers a glimpse into the remarkable adaptability of the human brain and the brain cells and the power of our minds to shape our mental experiences. By understanding and applying these concepts, we can unlock the potential for significant positive change in our mental health and overall well-being. Doing mindfulness research is also important.

The journey of understanding and harnessing the power of neuroplasticity and mindfulness is ongoing, but the potential for transformative growth and healing is immense.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Neuroplasticity In Mindfulness?

How Does Mindfulness Rewire The Brain?

What Part Of The Brain Is Responsible For Mindfulness?

What Are The 3 Types Of Neuroplasticity?

What Triggers Neuroplasticity?

What Is A Real Life Example Of Neuroplasticity?

How Do You Train Neuroplasticity?

How Can Neuroplasticity Rewire Your Brain?

What Does Neuroplasticity Feel Like?

How To Rewire Your Mind?

How Can I Sharpen My Mind?

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How Do I Activate My Left Brain?

Harness Your Body’s Innate Healing Mechanisms: Somatic Psychology Techniques For Optimal Well-Being

Harness Your Body’s Innate Healing Mechanisms: Somatic Psychology Techniques For Optimal Well-Being – Body Mind Counseling

Have you ever felt like your mind and body are out of sync? Like your thoughts are racing but your body feels heavy and sluggish? Or maybe you’ve experienced physical aches and pains that seem to have no obvious explanation. If so, you’re not alone.

In our fast-paced, modern world, it’s easy to get caught up in the mental chatter and neglect the physical sensations that our bodies are constantly sending us. But what if there was a way to bridge the gap between our minds and bodies, to tap into the wisdom that our bodies hold?

Somatic psychology is like a special tool that helps us understand how our bodies react to our feelings. It teaches us how to let go of our stresses and tension, connect with our inner selves, and let our mind, body, and soul feel better overall.

Imagine yourself feeling more grounded, more present, and more connected to your body. Envision yourself moving with ease and grace, free from the aches and physical pain that have been holding you back. This is the power of somatic psychology – to unleash the body’s innate healing mechanisms and create a life of greater vitality and self-discovery.

So, grab your curiosity and a sense of adventure, and let’s dive into the fascinating world of somatic psychology together.

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Exploring Somatic Psychology Techniques

Imagine your body is like a treasure chest filled with hidden gems, each gem representing a different aspect of your well-being. Somatic psychology is like the key that unlocks this treasure chest, allowing you to discover and unleash the healing powers within your own body and gain that mind body connection.

This technique is like a toolbox filled with different tools, each designed to help you explore and address the physical manifestations of your emotions. These techniques can be broadly categorized into three main groups:

Mindfulness-Based Therapies

These techniques encourage you to cultivate present-moment awareness, allowing you to observe your thoughts, feelings, and body sensations without judgment. This can be achieved through practices like:

Mindfulness Meditation

In this practice, you focus your attention on breathing exercises and body sensations, cultivating a sense of calm and clarity.

Body Scans

You systematically scan your body from head to toe, noticing any sensations, tensions, or areas of discomfort.

Body-Oriented Psychotherapy

These techniques focus on exploring and understanding the physical and emotional connections within your body. Two common approaches include:

Focusing

This technique involves paying close attention to felt sensations, identifying their locations, and exploring their underlying emotions with mind body techniques.

Sensorimotor Therapy

This approach helps you process any traumatic event experiences by re-experiencing them in a safe and controlled environment, allowing for the release of trapped emotions and physical tension.

Movement-Based Therapies

These techniques use physical movement to promote body awareness, release tension, and enhance emotional well-being. Some popular examples include:

  • Yoga: This ancient practice combines physical postures, breathing techniques, and meditation to promote flexibility, strength, and mindfulness.
  • Dance therapy: This expressive form of therapy uses dance movements to explore and release emotions, enhancing self-expression and creativity, and helping you be comfortable in your own skin.
  • Tai chi: This gentle, flowing exercise promotes relaxation, balance, and inner harmony that is helpful for the body experience.

Common Principles Underlying Somatic Therapies

Despite their diverse approaches, all somatic therapy techniques share common principles:

  • Cultivating Body Awareness: Developing a deep understanding of your physical sensations and how they relate to your emotions.
  • Releasing Tension: Identifying and releasing physical tension that is held in your body, often associated with stress and trauma.
  • Promoting Self-Regulation: Enhancing your ability to manage your emotions and responses to stress in a healthy way.

These principles work together to create a holistic approach to well-being, addressing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit. By exploring somatic therapy techniques, you embark on a journey of self-discovery, unlocking the healing powers within your own body.

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Harnessing The Body’s Innate Healing Mechanisms

Imagine your body as a sophisticated organism, constantly adapting and adjusting to maintain balance amidst the ever-changing demands of life. This remarkable ability is known as allostasis, the body’s dynamic process of achieving stability in the face of internal and external stressors.

At the heart of allostasis lies the nervous systems, a complex network of nerves and specialized cells that orchestrate our body’s responses to stress. When we encounter stress, our sympathetic nervous system kicks into high gear, preparing us for fight-or-flight mode. This surge of adrenaline and cortisol is essential for short-term survival, but prolonged exposure to stress can disrupt allostasis, leading to a state of chronic stress.

Chronic stress can have a profound impact on our physical and mental health, manifesting in a range of symptoms such as:

  • Anxiety and depression
  • Chronic pain
  • Fatigue
  • Digestive problems
  • Weakened immune system

The good news is that we have the power to restore balance to our nervous system and promote optimal allostasis. Somatic therapy techniques and somatic therapists offer a powerful toolkit for achieving this goal. By helping us to cultivate body awareness, release tension, and promote self-regulation, somatic psychology can help us to:

  • Reduce stress reactivity: When we’re more aware of our physical sensations, we can better recognize and respond to stress triggers, preventing them from escalating into overwhelming reactions.
  • Enhance relaxation: Somatic techniques can help us activate our parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest-and-digest” state, promoting relaxation and reducing stress hormones.
  • Improve emotional regulation: By developing a deeper understanding of our emotional landscape, we can learn to manage our emotions more effectively, preventing them from controlling us.
  • Promote overall well-being: By restoring balance to the nervous system and addressing the root causes of stress, somatic psychology can contribute to a sense of overall well-being, including improved physical and mental health.

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Techniques For Specific Conditions

Techniques for somatic psychology are not just for general well-being; they can also be effectively applied to address specific physical and mental health concerns. Let’s explore how somatic psychology can help with some common conditions:

  • Chronic Pain: Chronic pain, a persistent pain lasting longer than three months, can significantly impact daily life and overall well-being. This can help manage chronic pain by:
    • Increasing Body Awareness: By developing a deeper understanding of how pain manifests in the body, individuals can learn to differentiate between pain signals and actual physical damage.
    • Releasing Tension: Somatic techniques can help release muscle tension and stiffness, often contributing to chronic pain.
    • Promoting relaxation: The focus on mindfulness and breathwork in somatic psychology can induce relaxation, reducing stress and overall pain perception.

Anxiety And Depression

Anxiety and depression, characterized by excessive worry, sadness, and loss of interest, can severely impact daily functioning and quality of life. It can help manage anxiety and depression by:

  • Cultivating present-moment awareness: Mindfulness practices can help individuals detach from ruminating thoughts and focus on the present moment, reducing anxiety and stress.
    • Processing emotions: Somatic techniques can help individuals identify and process underlying emotions, leading to greater emotional regulation and resilience.
    • Promoting self-acceptance: Body-oriented therapies can foster self-acceptance and body positivity, reducing self-criticism and negative self-talk.

Trauma

Trauma, a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, can leave lasting physical and emotional effects such as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. Individuals can heal from traumatic experiences by:

  • Releasing trapped emotions: Somatic techniques can help release physical tension and emotional blocks associated with traumatic experiences.
  • Developing a sense of safety: Body-oriented therapies can help individuals re-establish a sense of safety and control in their bodies after a traumatic memory or traumatic event.
  • Promoting self-empowerment: Somatic practices can empower individuals to take charge of their healing process from traumatic memories, fostering resilience and self-compassion.

Addiction

Addiction, a compulsive engagement in behaviors or substances despite harmful consequences, can have profound physical and mental health effects. A somatic therapist can address this by:

  • Increasing self-awareness: Body-oriented therapies can help individuals understand the connection between their emotions and addictive behaviors.
  • Developing coping mechanisms: Somatic practices can provide healthy coping mechanisms for managing stress and difficult emotions, reducing the need for addictive behaviors.
  • Promoting self-acceptance: Somatic psychology can foster self-acceptance and compassion, reducing the shame and guilt often associated with addiction.

Enhancing Overall Well-being And Quality Of Life

It extends beyond addressing specific conditions, playing a significant role in promoting overall well-being and enhancing quality of life. By fostering body awareness, releasing tension, and promoting self-regulation, somatic psychology can:

  • Improve sleep: Enhanced relaxation and reduced stress can lead to better sleep quality, promoting overall well-being.
  • Boost energy levels: By addressing the underlying causes of fatigue, somatic practices can increase energy levels and reduce feelings of tiredness.
  • Enhance creativity: By fostering a sense of connection between mind and body, somatic psychology can stimulate creativity and self-expression.
  • Strengthen relationships: Improved emotional regulation and self-awareness can enhance communication and empathy, strengthening relationships with others.

To Wrap Up

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of mental chatter and lose sight of the wisdom that lies within our bodies. We often ignore the physical sensations that our bodies send us, treating them as mere distractions or nuisances.

But our bodies are incredibly intelligent and resilient organisms, constantly striving to maintain balance and well-being. They hold a wealth of information about our thoughts, emotions, and experiences, waiting to be unlocked through the power of somatic psychology.

So, take a deep breath, turn inward, and embark on this transformative journey of somatic exploration. Let your body be your guide, leading you towards a life of greater well-being, resilience, and self-discovery.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is Somatic Method In Psychology?

What Is The Most Effective Somatic Technique?

What Is An Example Of Somatic Psychology?

What Are The Techniques Of Somatization Therapy?

What Are The Techniques Of Somatic Massage?

What Is The Most Effective Therapy For People With Somatic Symptom Disorder?

How Do You Help Someone With Somatic Disorder?

What Is The Somatic Approach To Mental Illness?

Self-Esteem Therapies For Self-Healing And Positive Change

Self-esteem-here’s an important topic that we might all benefit from. Are you struggling with low self-esteem? Therapy might help.

You may want to seek help for your low confidence issues and your mental health as a whole through therapy.
Source: confidenceisquiet.com

Are there days when you tend to feel useless and worthless with all those negative thoughts and self-doubt? If you answered yes to all these questions, then there is a high possibility that you’ve developed a negative self-image.
If you find that your self-esteem issues are affecting your mental health and well-being, it’s a good idea to consider seeking therapy or counseling. These positive steps can help people address their concerns and work towards personal growth and improvement.

Self-Esteem And Treating Low Self-Esteem Issues

It may become difficult or a challenge on your part to establish friendships and romantic connections with certain people or just the people around you. When you don’t feel valuable, anxiety and depression usually build up along with other negative feelings. This can be problematic because the longer you have low self-esteem, the more you will develop negative thinking and this ultimately leads to poor mental health. Soon, you will lose your sense of self and forget your positive qualities as you will begin to be very self-critical of yourself. If you are in your adolescence phase, this is more difficult and the depressive symptoms are more severe.

Low self-esteem can have a profound impact on individuals, affecting their overall well-being and relationships. Recognizing this, various types of therapy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral therapy, can be effective in addressing issues related to self-esteem, as well as conditions like social anxiety and eating disorders. These therapies empower individuals to work on improving their self-perception and mental health.

As such, the right thing to do is to seek the help of a mental health professional in order to focus on oneself and have healthy self-esteem. As explained by Dr. Aaron Kaplan, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist, “Research shows that how you think about yourself can have a powerful effect on your well-being and how you feel.” Self-esteem breeds self-worth, self-compassion, and self-respect. When you feel good and feel confident, your relationships with family and friends will flourish. Other people’s expectations and opinions won’t have a negative impact on your mental health and there is no longer room for self-doubt, such as “I will never be size zero.”

Help For Positive Change

One of many good ways to encourage self-esteem is to go through cognitive behavior therapy or mental health treatment. CBT is the treatment of choice for most mental health professionals. “Therapy is an empowering process in which a person takes responsibility for and control over his life.”  Brittany N. Murphy, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, BC-TMH said. It is a process of talking to a therapist about your challenges, wrong beliefs, anxiety, and depression. The therapist, through a psychodynamic approach, will help you process these beliefs and emotions and provide you with helpful tools to modify the thought patterns that have caused you to develop low self-esteem. Your negative feelings will diminish or disappear in time and you will learn skills in improving self-esteem and how to cope with any challenging situation in your life.

therapy for self-esteem can help any individual who is struggling
Source: cbtassociates.com

Therapy Guide For Uplifting Self Esteem

If you are hesitant about getting in touch with a self-esteem therapist, make sure to read this article to find out that your fear, automatic thoughts, and negative thoughts on recognizing self-esteem therapy situations are baseless. Here, you will better understand therapy for self-confidence. Parents will learn so much from reading this article.

Benefits of hiring a self-esteem therapist to improve self-esteem:

  • It gives you the opportunity to talk about experiences and stories without the fear of lowering your self-esteem. This helps alleviate your negative self-image, and your view on your mistakes and failure.
  • An expert will simply listen to all you have to say, without judging. You are free to give a few examples of your negative belief and the causes of your anxiety, self-criticism, and other feelings that make you treat and feel bad about yourself and about life in general.
  • It can be relaxing and good for your mental health to find a therapist, someone who will be there for you and allows you to talk about your low self-esteem and negative predictions that you may have.
  • The therapist evaluates your personality and behavior through a meta-analysis or a systematic review and creates treatment strategies that will learn to regain that self-esteem, self-care, and self-compassion. If you feel that your low self-esteem has not yet been alleviated, you can seek help from other professionals to help you get a sense of what you really need. You may have other mental health conditions, such as severe anxiety or cognitive distortion that would require medical treatment.

Perhaps not everyone believes in seeking the help of a therapist but it is indeed highly important, especially for a person with an accompanying mental illness. An example would be someone with an eating disorder. He or she would greatly benefit from CBT.

Therapy For High Self-Esteem

Therapy for fostering positive relationships and eliminating negative thinking

Take note that no matter how skilled your therapist is, he still could not help with your self-confidence if you will not cooperate during counseling sessions. The success rate will still depend on you. Hence, it is therapeutic for you to do some personality changes to ensure that you will be successful in gaining healthy self-esteem and a great perspective on life. Here are some of the things to do to boost it:

    • Accept the fact that you have strengths and weaknesses. Things won’t always be positive for you but do not allow people to use your low self-esteem against you. Find ways to boost your self-esteem. For example, enroll in courses that will instill feelings of fulfillment and happiness. Academic achievement is a great way to feel successful in life and can help you with your future job. Or simply having enough and sufficient sleep can also help.
    • Be proud of who you are as a person. Think positive. A mental health professional once reminded me that you need not change your behavior or anything about yourself just to get the approval of another person. This will cause you to develop low self-esteem or result in depression. Parents, for example, do not have to let their children conform to the trend of society. This does not promote healthy self-esteem at all.

Raising Self-Awareness Is Beneficial In Life

Raising your self-esteem is a satisfying thing to do as long as you put your heart into it. Always remember that as a person, you deserve to experience genuine happiness in your life. Because according to Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., “The best progress happens when you apply what you’ve learned outside that setting, in your real life.” You can also check BetterHelp today to learn more about the treatment. If you are hesitant to seek individual therapy, try doing group therapy first to get a sense of how therapy for low self-esteem goes. If you are a teenager, you can ask your parents to tag along initially. Group therapy is a fun way to help you develop self-esteem. Or you may also check New Harbinger Publications’ page for audiobooks or international journals that can help you. Harbinger Publications is dedicated to preventing good mental health through their works.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What Form Of Group Therapy Assists In Improving Self-Confidence And Eliminating Negative Beliefs?

  2. What Is The Most Effective Solution For Low Self-Confidence?

  3. How Does One Increase His Or Her Self-Confidence?

  4. When Does A Person Tend To Have Low Self-Esteem?

  5. What Are Some Social Factors That Affect A Person’s Self-Confidence?

  6. What Are The Primary Foundations Of Self-Confidence?

  7. Is Low Self-Esteem A Mental Illness?

  8. How Do Psychologists Build Self-Esteem?

  9. What Are 5 Ways To Improve Confidence?

  10. Can Therapy Improve Self-Esteem?

  11. What Are The 7 Steps To Improve Your Confidence?

  12. What Is Self-Esteem CBT?

  13. How Can I Cure My Low Confidence?

  14. What Are Some Self-Confidence Exercises?

  15. What Are The 10 Ways To Build Self-Confidence?

Talk Therapy For Those Who Want To Move On And Forget

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Our life is a cycle, and the experiences we have are somewhat all the same. However, not all of us have the same tolerance when it comes to emotional pain. Some are tough and would deal with difficulties as if nothing happened, and there are those who need a tremendous amount of support from the people around them to cope up. “Your environment, both your social and natural surroundings, can greatly impact how you feel.” Marjie L. Roddick, MA, NCC, LMHC said. Unfortunately, not all people are lucky enough to have a solid group of people who would provide moral support in times of challenges such as a breakup.

We often see struggles of people experiencing a breakup in movies. They are usually crying, confused, and unfocused. They tend to lose the will to move forward and the inspiration to do the things they used to love. These people turn to their friends who are usually the first people we all seek whenever we deal with a breakup. However, there are some aspects of a breakup that make us hold on. These things are often overlooked whenever we do not make the necessary steps in dealing with the pain.

Seeking talk therapy to move on and forget is a wise decision. There are many advantages we can gain from it, and the healing process is faster compared to just talking to friends and getting used to the pain, hoping it would just pass. “Why talk about your problems including mental health challenges? Just talking about your situation to someone can reduce your stress and help you feel better.” Dr. Aaron Kaplan, PsyD, Clinical Psychologist elaborates.

Benefits Of Talk Therapy In Moving On And Forgetting:

Source: pxhere.com
  1. Talk therapy is specifically designed to treat emotional struggles. It aids in managing the pain caused by a breakup, and it is more than just a “go-to” to pour out emotions. It is a tool to deal with the pain and learn ways to divert it and eventually forget it.

 

 

  1. Talk therapy bravely tackles issues that may have contributed to a breakup. Dealing with it is the first step, and forgetting it is understandable. However, people should learn from a failed relationship. Somehow, it is a way for us to recognize our mistakes so that we would not do the same in our next relationship.

 

  1. Talk therapy gives us an opportunity to know ourselves better. Being young and in love often blinds us to the essential things in life such as self-love and self-awareness. We should always remember that self-love is one crucial thing that we all should learn before we can be good at loving others.

 

  1. Talk therapy is a solid support to people who are struggling to move on and forget. Unlike talking to friends or our “run-to” people whom we need to demand time from, therapists are available when we need them. They have studied their craft to spend their time to help people in need of their services.

 

  1. Talk therapy is a tool for us to pour out all the emotions we are keeping inside. Sometimes, we tend to repress our feelings because we think it will aggravate the pain, but talk therapy teaches us that talking is the best way for us to manage all our negative thoughts as we can identify the issues we have to focus on.

“Our society tells us that if you talk about your issues, express your feelings, or even verbalize you have a mental health disorder, you must be “weak.”,” –Ryan Parks, M.Ed, LPCC

Source: 445aw.afrc.af.mil

Talking is beneficial to us. It makes us discard all the negative feelings we have inside. Sometimes, moving on starts with talking and cleaning the slate, breaking free from the negativity of the past. And since talk therapy also tackles our mistakes, it teaches us to be better and prepares us for our next relationship. Sometimes, forgetting should come from dealing and eventually healing.

 

Do I Need Therapy Now – Questions To Ask

Do I need therapy?” This is a common question that many people ask themselves. A reminder from Deborah Khoshaba Psy.D. states that “You’ll love yourself more when you set limits or say no to work, love, or activities that deplete or harm you physically, emotionally and spiritually, or express poorly who you are.” “Is this necessary for my mental health?” It’s essential to be aware of our mental health conditions and concerns that can help us achieve our ultimate selves. You may not believe in yourself, but perhaps seeking mental health help can be beneficial with these life challenges. You may be suffering from chronic illness, eating disorders, emotional distress, relationship issues, panic attacks, sleep issues, or maybe feeling suicidal. And you will later realize when you have gone through therapy that yes, with the guidance of a licensed therapist specifically trained to manage your mental illness, it can help achieve optimal mental health.

Do You Need Therapy For Your Mental Health?

Instead Of asking “Will I really have to see a therapist for my mental health concerns,” you can ask yourself, “Do I have to help myself and reach out to a mental health provider?” You must be sure if you believe that seeking therapy can help – whether it be family, talk, self-awareness, cognitive processing, or any type of therapy. Mental health treatment is a process that can’t be done overnight. If you want to learn more, read this whole article.

paper pen
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These two are both equally important to our mental health and well-being:

Physical Wellness And Mental Health Help

Physical wellness ascertains our everyday functions such as walking, driving, reading, eating, and more. For instance, if we have an abnormal gait accompanied by abnormal physical symptoms, then our daily life tasks could be affected as it could make us slower and our movements uncomfortable. As Amanda Zayde, PsyD suggests, “Exercise is key to physical health; See a therapist to know what kind of physical activity will benefit you.” Regular physical activity has been shown to help reduce mental health challenges, including anxiety disorders, emotional distress, social anxiety, trauma, grief, insufficient sleep, unhealthy habits, low self-esteem, and emotional difficulties, among others.

Mental Wellness For Intrusive Thoughts

Mental wellness, likewise, is vital as it controls our ability to comprehend what is happening around us, especially in social settings. We need it in our jobs because it is what’s responsible for thinking and dealing with things and people in our everyday lives. Problem-solving and communication skills are part of even the simplest moments. For instance, you feel overwhelmed because your boss had an emergency and left you in charge saying, “You know what needs to be done.” Your body would not move automatically to complete the tasks. Your mind has to think and plan first and command your body to do what’s required. If you feel stuck and have poor mental well-being, you wouldn’t be able to plan, organize, and comprehend well. You’ll feel hopeless. Here, you can ask yourself if “Do I need professional help? Should I seek mental health help and talk to a licensed mental health professional?”

Yes, our mental health capacity is extraordinary. It could withstand many difficulties and life changes. However, taking precautions like going to talk or online therapy, or mental health therapy to manage situations that we think are too much for us to handle is a way for us to take care of our overall health. Perhaps it can help. You should try to see a therapist for therapy services such as talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy.

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It could be when our favorite team lost a game or our much-awaited TV show just ended. However, when we feel as though there is nothing that could make us happy, not even with activities that we usually enjoy, then it is a sign that we need immediate help for our specific mental health issues.

According to Agnes M. Boksa, PsyD, LP,  “Emotional and mental health plays a critical role in our overall health and life experiences.” It is not something to be ashamed of talking about, especially when your well-being is at stake. If you don’t want any additional stress and anxiety, just true happiness, then you have to take that extra step and get therapy. Do you need it? Most therapists would suggest that reaching out to mental health professionals or trying online mental health help does achieve optimal results – you just have to find the right therapist.

You Are Not In Control

Our choices often have a significant impact on many variables as we are naturally social. We ask for the opinions of friends and family members and preferences before making a decision or seeking support for our mental health conditions. It is either to please others or to avoid offending them. These are simple choices we make every day. With the right mindset, we can also choose our emotions without losing interest in doing so. We can condition our minds on how we are going to feel and react in a particular situation or when we face challenges. However, a mental health condition or mental illness can cause you to be incapable of controlling and understanding your negative thoughts and feelings. You might develop emotional instability. You are trapped in your own mind and feel overwhelmed, and you may need to find a therapist or mental health professional to help you break free.

Mental Health Help For Pain That Cannot Be Explained

You have constant stomach aches or headaches that are not related to any medical health issue. You have seen your doctor and underwent a series of tests, and the diagnosis turned out to be normal. This scenario is quite typical among mental health patients. They think they have to obtain physical aid, but in fact, they need therapy or mental health services.

Sometimes, when things are too much to handle, our usual coping strategies don’t work and we tend to divert our focus to other things so we can better manage symptoms of anxiety or severe distress. Smoking and drinking have a relaxing sensation that is favorable for a person experiencing stress. Gambling, likewise, provides temporary happiness which can be addictive. People who are prone to be addicted to these habits are more likely to be suffering from mental health issues.

Help For Extreme Mood Swings And Difficult Feelings

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Are you easily agitated by simple things? Do you tend to overreact to small issues and end up making a big deal out of them? Maybe it’s time to ask yourself if you have to go to therapy. Extreme mood swings and intrusive thoughts are experienced by people who don’t have a healthy outlet for their overwhelming emotions. That’s why they may explode with just a simple mistake of others. People sometimes are not aware that their extreme reaction is due to the accumulated anxiety and anger inside them. Often, people who experience this just go into social withdrawal and even affect relationships with family members.

Final Thoughts On Therapy For Mental Health Issues

Self-confidence is good, especially for mental health, but there is a thin line between it and carelessness. We should know when we should feel proud and when we need help in finding the right therapist. Many online websites offering effective therapy and mental health professional therapy, websites such as Better Help. They provide therapy services conducted by knowledgeable and licensed therapists. Through this form of therapy, which offers convenience, there is no excuse for us to ignore our symptoms and refuse help. Cognitive behavioral therapy, for one, is very helpful. But there are also other types of therapy that can help with your unique situation.

Therapy Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if therapy is for me?
Do I really need therapy if I’m happy?
Is it okay to seek a therapist?
How do I say I need a therapist?
Should I go to therapy even if I don’t have to?
Can I go to a therapist just to talk?
Why do I feel like I won’t benefit from therapy?
Should I be my own therapist? When should I stop therapy?
Can you benefit from therapy for anxiety?
Why therapy is important?
Should I go to therapy if I have no friends?
What can I do instead of therapy?
Will a therapist tell you your diagnosis?
Is a therapist better than a friend?

Therapy Guidelines On Healing Through Balance

 

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Feeling of wholeness and healing only happen when the body, spirit, and mind are in equilibrium. Balancing these three is essential for a rewarding and happy life. And in times of crisis – particularly in times of crisis – you need to be attentive in safeguarding that equilibrium.

All these three components are intimately link – the body, the spirit, and the mind. An imbalance and weakness in one of these can negatively impact other people. For instance, the major emotional stress of the mind may lead to increased blood pressure and other diseases in a rather healthy body. Likewise, physical disease or injury may lead to depression in a typically healthy mind. If one has mental health issues, this may lead them to ask, “Do I need therapy?” It is worth noting that when mental health concerns can affect your daily life, know that there is help.

Healing intention is a person’s conscious mental choice to enhance his health or the health of a loved one. It involves the expectation of enhanced well-being and the optimism that the desired health objective can be attained. It also comprises the comprehension of personal significance in one’s personal and professional life, even if these two aspects might appear vague, especially during a crisis.

Eventually, healing intention involves the assumption that well-being and healing will happen. If you do not really believe that you will be healed, or if a part of you is pulling in the condition or the ailment, you might restrict or disrupt your intrinsic ability to heal from a subconscious level. Do not belittle yourself. By learning healing intention, you will set the stage for recovery to happen.

Developing A Healing Intention

Awareness. Being aware tackles the way you feel. It helps you determine what your body wants to tell you and how to connect yourself with your thoughts. Through awareness, you become sensitive to your body’s indirect signals like alterations in mood and energy level. Attempt to navigate these emotions and thoughts into your conscious mind. This enables you to alter behaviors that do not make you happy and healthy. You may also develop new abilities to modify your automatic reactions. Physical indications are signals from your body informing you of its state and what it actually needs.

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Some individuals engage in physical activities like yoga, running, or self-talk, which involves repeating one or more words that help them feel ‘centered.’ Others join religious services or come to spiritual prayer. Still, the rest who do not practice these meditate or spend a few quiet moments by themselves.

Purpose

When you have learned to recognize your feelings, it is vital now to identify your wants. If a situation such as a health crisis transforms your life, this can be daunting. However, it is equally crucial to formulate new objectives and plans. Though these may differ, they could also be rewarding and meaningful.

Spiritually, when you are intimately connected to your internal self, you can focus on carrying this sense of calm and recovery to yourself or others in your life.

Reflection

The narrative that you tell yourself concerning your life is influential. It helps you comprehend the fundamental matters of your lie and find purpose in them. If your purpose in life has changed, it may result in devastating feelings. Regaining that purpose is vital for getting back to optimal physical and mental health.

Meaning and intention help you manage your emotions like optimism and hopelessness, happiness and misery, and grief and guilt. They enable you and your significant others to embrace what is there and find an acceptance and possibility of efficiently managing your views on life.

Writing poetry, journaling, talking to a religious leader, engaging in art therapy, or working with a person who has gone through the same thing as you might help you answer questions about yourself.

Below are some questions that you can try to answer:

  • Who am I really?
  • What are my thoughts and beliefs spiritually?
  • What are my intentions?
  • What can I do to be fitting to my family, society, and my life?

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Imagine and write about what the pain or disease means in your life if you are suffering from a disease or are in pain. Contemplation may enable you to understand some of the fundamental matters and find purpose in them.

Personal Wholeness

Personal wholeness is the sense of well-being when the mind, spirit, and body are balanced and equally healthy. You can learn mind-body techniques that support wellness and healing from disease. In fact, there are practices that you can develop known as mind-body practices. When you study and learn them, you can perform them anywhere – the safest would be at your own home, especially at this time. These practices urge you to tap into your physical responses and your thoughts healthily. Studies have proven that these mind-body techniques are effective in decreasing the detrimental effects of stress. These include relaxation, breathwork, tai chi, yoga, art, stress relief, meditation, journaling, and meditation.

By learning and embracing one or more of these practices for healing, you are already a step closer to acquiring balance and genuine healing purpose. This is a deliberate choice, so you must remain well-organized but by merely understanding the function that personal wholeness and healing intention can play in your life at the moment. You can start to feel the effects as you continue to manage your life through these stressful and challenging times.

 

 

Mind-Body Therapy Techniques For Mental Health Improvement

 

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If you have been googling “Do I need therapy?” you must have come across mind-body therapy techniques. These are techniques formulated to improve one’s mental health, particularly the body and mind connection. These somatic psychology techniques include social, spiritual, psychological, behavioral, and psychological approaches. Awareness of this significant connection is most certainly not new. However, it would seem unfamiliar to a few people from the West, where the body and mind have been conventionally seen as unique entities for centuries. But this view is quickly transforming as experts scientifically prove the various connections between the body and mind.

In this article, we will be focusing our attention on the three most common forms of mind-body therapies – meditation, prayer, and yoga.

Meditation

In mindfulness meditation, one learns to pay attention to his breath as he inhales and exhales and observes when the mind loses track of the task. This strategy of returning to one’s breath strengthens the muscles of mindfulness and attention.

When we focus on how we breathe, we learn how to go back to and remain within the moment to attach ourselves to the present purposely without any criticism or judgment. Meditation does not cure everything, but it can definitely offer some badly needed space and relaxation in our lives. Occasionally, that is what we require to make better decisions for our families and ourselves.

The most vital tools you can carry with you throughout your practice are kindness, patience, and a cozy space to sit. Some of the many reasons to meditate include:

  • Reduce your stress
  • Recognize and know your pain
  • Lessen brain chatter
  • Make better connections
  • Improve concentration

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Prayer

Prayer has quite a profound definition emerging from a person’s spiritual practice or religious background. For others, prayer means a group of sacred phrases, and for some, it might be more of an informal conversation or simply listening to a higher power or God.

“Prayer” originated from precarious, a Latin word that means “attained by begging.” Prayer is grounded on the belief that a power greater than ourselves exists and can tremendously impact our lives. Prayer is the act of raising our minds and hearts to the Almighty.

Prayer is equally crucial from a healthcare point of view merely because it is utilized so broadly. Surveys show that almost 90% of patients with severe diseases will turn to prayer to relieve their disease and anguish. Among the types of complementary medicine, prayer is the most commonly used healing modality. Studies done by researchers from the George Washington Institute for Spirituality and Health claim that prayer is the second most popularly used modality for pain management and the most widely used non-drug tool for pain management.

Below are some explanations provided regarding how prayer improves mental health:

  • Placebo Reaction. Prayer can improve an individual’s opportunities and expectations, leading to a positive effect on mental health.
  • Relaxation Reaction. Prayer produces a relaxation reaction, which decreases blood pressure and other elements involved in increasing stress.
  • Healing Presence. Many people agree that prayer brings a sense of healing or spiritual presence and connection with the Almighty.
  • Mind-Spirit-Body Connection. As prayer pacifies or inspires, it blocks the surge of cortisol, thus decreasing the negative effects of stress on the body’s different systems, including the brain.

Yoga

Recovery and healing starts when we begin fixating our thoughts towards the goal and as our behaviors reflect those thoughts. The body-mind complex is truly authentic. Yoga is an ageless Indian practice that has existed for thousands of years already. It has been utilized to aid people in finding relaxation, peace, good health, and healing in their lives.

The specific postures that yoga integrates usually reflect the messages and emotions that we wish to express, whether it’s audacity, openness, love, or something else. Popular articles have published that yoga is grounded on personification, defined as “the fundamental hypothesis that the brain is not the only source that we have to solve our problems.”

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Yoga entails a body-mind dualism, with the idea that the body’s processes ultimately influence the mind. Yoga positions transform our perceptions and senses, as well as how we see others and ourselves. We get a more holistic outlook of the reason for our existence when we attempt to connect with our bodies through the poses that we do. In fact, some yoga poses have been proven to either promote more contemplative well-being or activate the mind, which opens an opportunity to have a mind-body experience, particularly for those who regularly practice.

The spirit, body, and mind are all geared towards holistic practice, as these three are what build each individual’s general health and happiness. By strengthening the body-mind connection, the spirit, too, can be made more whole with the individual’s wants, needs, wishes, and life objectives. Establishing these may need time, but, indeed, yoga is a great way to start.

 

 

Facts Why Pandemic Patients Need Counseling

The mental health help that you need is out there. And this mental health help was available and offered in the midst of the pandemic.

a person in isolation needs therapy help from a mental health professoinal.
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Let me tell you a story about the pandemic – the public health crisis that shook everyone, from the World Health Organization to doctors, and normal people. It was the biggest cause of my stress, anxiety, grief, and feelings of hopelessness. Do you want to know more? Continue reading below. We might have had similar experiences and mental health challenges during the global covid 19 pandemic.

Overcoming The Mental Health Challenges During The Pandemic

I am a licensed mental health counselor, and when the covid 19 pandemic happened, I naturally had to stop offering advice. A few nurses and other mental health professionals at the university hospital that I grew close to told me that some of my regular patients were sad because I wasn’t able to go to the office. I kept on thinking about how I could provide counseling and treatment during the pandemic without going to the office, putting my health at risk, and contracting the virus myself. I knew that my clients were under a lot of stress, fear, concern, depression, and anxiety, and the challenges that the global pandemic brought about were inevitable. They had no access to in-person office sessions in therapy services and most of them had difficulty coping with the emotional and mental health challenges that they faced.

Then, one day, I thought of strategies. I realized I could utilize an online therapy platform or virtual help for patients who required treatment and counseling during the covid 19 pandemic. This was so that one way or another they could maintain the services that they had before the pandemic. It was like my own private practice, in a way, but I didn’t have to be in the office. Its success could play a crucial role in helping them maintain strong client/counselor relationships as well as the individual’s social interactions as well. They can get the care they need without us having to go to the office.

Counseling Services For Mental And Emotional Wellness In The Midst Of Covid

Since I had contact persons at the office (the hospital), I asked them to talk to some of the patients and family members and ask them if they wanted to join group sessions for counseling during covid, the global pandemic. This virtual platform was one way to support them in these trying times. They could still avail themselves of professional counseling services following resources and continue treatment if necessary. Or they might just want to learn more about strategies to avoid the virus, how to maintain emotional and mental wellness, or simply wish someone to assist them in improving their coping skill progress.

The sessions were done during their stay or after getting discharged. Many clients answered positively – be it students or parents – so I began allocating two hours of my day to talk to these clients via Skype. The topics were never set in stone, considering my clients had different worries every day. Sometimes, we would chat about how the pandemic altered their lives and how it affected their physical health; other times, I would help them realize that there’s a way out of their own vulnerabilities – their stress, anxiety, and other negative personal feelings. I would also provide them with strategies and helpful information following resources about the warning signs and symptoms involved with the disease, how you develop it, how to monitor it in the future, how to manage stress and do appropriate self-care, and most importantly how to maintain optimal mental health wellness. Following resources and with my counselor education, we focused on strategies, cultivating a safe space, and other things, without having to be in the office.

Getting Help Through Counseling – Plays A Crucial Role In Mental Health

The thing that bothered me the most was the reaction of my friends who were not in the mental health help practice – it added to my stress! While my licensed professional counselor colleagues, clinicians, and the medical staff at the hospital were commending me for my helpful contribution to the community, my friends were calling me the modern martyr. “Why are you even risking your personal life and your own health over something that you cannot make money from? Does counseling them satisfy you? Perhaps you’d like to do other activities that are more worthwhile. This is the pandemic! You are just wasting your time and your precious health. Leave this private practice of yours,” they often said.

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Benefits Of Online Counseling Support Amidst A Public Health Crisis

I could sense that the reason behind it was that I always declined to meet my friends since I always had online group sessions from the employee assistance program to focus on after my actual working hours. I had no in-person office sessions but I still had responsibilities toward my clients in helping them lessen their stress, anxiety, and other concerns. However, even without that private practice, I would still say no. Gathering at such events at a crucial time seemed to defeat the purpose of social distancing and lockdowns, after all. Following resources and strategies for staying safe was essential.

In case you are also wondering why patients need counseling, allow me to spell it out for you.

Providing Assistance To My Clients

Clients experience emotional challenges due to discrimination from other community members during this public health crisis. I have already given my friends’ reactions as an example of that above. And if I were one of the teachers in college and they were my students, I would willingly sanction them with disciplinary actions and even undergo school mental health help services with school counselors. On other occasions, some of my clients have been called names or blamed for contracting covid 19. I know I play a crucial role in alleviating their feelings of insecurity and loneliness. I assist them the best way I can by providing them with the following resources and strategies for their health and wellness. I guide them toward emotional healing.

I know the importance of this professional counseling practice to their emotional and mental health. Sometimes, they can also call state lines for mental care or try following resources from the American Counseling Association.

Instead of making the patients feel better despite the pandemic, though, such harsh words and language only feed their anxiety, and eventually, more stress may develop. This results in a longer recovery time for them, given that they need to nurse their health and wellness and their broken heart. Indeed, online help sessions are needed during these troubled times. Treatment, particularly counseling and health-related interventions, may become essential for individuals and families dealing with extreme anxiety and stress, especially during a pandemic. Experienced counselors can provide valuable support during these challenging times.

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Recovering From The Pandemic

People are quick to assume that they are okay as soon as they test negative for COVID. However, the reality is that they may still feel weak after weeks of being ill. The stress and anxiety are most probably still present, and the recovered person may still be coping with the residual symptoms of the disease. And the truth is that professional advice on coming to terms with their feelings through counseling sessions is tremendously helpful for them.

The key idea here is that you should never jump to a conclusion regarding a COVID-19 client. A person may seem fine on the outside, but he may still be reeling from everything that has happened to him. And more often than not, that’s when he will need your support the most.

Having COVID-19 And Going Through Mental Health Challenges Can Be Traumatizing

Dealing With The Situation Is A Must To Manage Stress

Yes, testing positive for COVID-19 can be traumatizing for many reasons. For one, the swab test is quite painful. Then, you need to stay in an isolated room for weeks, not just days with no access to or contact with other people.

During a crisis, individuals experiencing severe symptoms of anxiety and depression may feel closer to despair than ever. It’s important to recognize the reality of this situation and seek support through mental health services, including school counseling, private practice therapy, and organizations like the American Counseling Association and counseling associations. Additionally, managing exposure to distressing content on social media can contribute to overall well-being during such challenging times. The crisis IS real.

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Even when the pandemic ordeal is over, you may develop stress, anxiety, and paranoia afterward, considering you may keep on worrying about catching the virus again. For parents, this is devastating for their students as well. Hence, when you need a licensed mental health counselor to assist you during anxiety or panic attacks, it’s time to start learning some techniques and coping mechanisms through counseling.

Final Thoughts And Takeaway

Life will undoubtedly get better when you get mental health help for COVID. Still, it will not hurt to get in touch with a COVID counselor as you try to process everything and return to society and practice counseling.

FAQs

  1. How Do You Take Care Of Your Physical And Mental Health While In The Coronavirus Pandemic?

  2. What Can I Do To Cope With The Effects Of Quarantine?

  3. Why Is Therapy Important Nowadays?

  4. What Are Some Ways To Cope With Coronavirus?

  5. What Is The Impact Of Therapy In The Midst Of The Pandemic?

  6. What Is Coronavirus Doing To People’s Mental Health?

  7. Why Is Talking To A Therapist Important In Improving The Quality Of Life?

  8. What is most important in mental health help like therapy, etc?
  9. How can counseling improve mental health?
  10. What is the importance of community counseling?
  11. What is counseling and what is its importance?
  12. What is its importance in the lives of the youth today?
  13. What is community guidance and counseling?
  14. How to cope with stress during this pandemic essay?
  15. How has COVID affected mental health in students?

What Is A Counseling Psychologist?

If you are interested in helping people with their mental health disorders (and yours), then this article is for you. See how this can help you in many ways, and if you are truly passionate about making it a career.

Do you want to be a psychological counselor? It was my dream to refer clients and families with emotional and mental health needs to psychotherapy and become a counseling psychologist to improve lives.

psychological disorders need counseling experts/counselors, especially children, to improve their lives and futures.
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Because of that, my initial goal was to be able to diagnose and treat people with mental illness by becoming a professional counseling psychologist, or a psychologist specialized in counseling. But I never believed it to be that easy. So here’s how I became one.

Here’s more about my lifelong wish to be a counseling psychologist. And if you are a fan of the topic of counseling psychology, psychiatry, or psychological testing, you must continue reading to learn more about jobs around this field. For me, anything in psychiatry, counseling psychology, or how they work is quite interesting!

However, when I was only nine years old, I got diagnosed with Lyme disease, which I most likely got from ticks as I always played outdoors back then. It was just part of my developmental routine growing up. You should know that having Lyme disease meant that I would be immunocompromised for the rest of my life. The condition had a developmental effect as it made me susceptible to any bacterial or viral infection and needed psychological counseling. Even without my parents or my doctors telling me about it, though, I could tell my dream of becoming one of the best pretty much ended when the Lyme diagnosis arrived.

counselor, welfare, strengths, counseling psychologists work. Learn more about the career.
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The Counseling Psychologist – Counseling Through A Psychologist For Depression

Counting out my psychology dreams made me sad, but hey, “I could have many years to dream another dream. I could give up my love for counseling then.”

In high school, I saw a surge of depressive disorders among my schoolmates. However, others could use psychological depression as an excuse to get away from certain activities or go with the trend. Many do this to avoid developmental activities or educational duties. A clinical psychologist and mental health counselor family friend (who has a state license) told me this once.

boy wants to be a psychologist - psychology
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If a student could say that she was feeling lonely or hopeless or sad, this counseling psychology expert could not take the shortcut and diagnose the student on the spot. After all, a shortcut is not the right way to treat psychological disorders. Counseling psychology requires giving particular attention to the kid and sometimes even visiting students or patients at their houses to see if they were genuinely depressed or acting up. This is an important task in counseling psychology, and this professional also knows it.

A man who needs Counseling
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When Do You Need A Counseling Psychologist? Can Counseling Really Help?

Do I need therapy? -Yes, I needed counseling psychology myself and wanted to talk to one.

My parents said that during the pandemic, many people needed the help of this specific health professional to help them care for their psychological well-being. They turn to a clinical psychologist as well, as they mostly help with these things. The educational and practical background of both clinical and counseling psychologists help them help people address problems effectively.

I was alright during the first few months, but mental health finally caught up with me when the sixth month came.

counselor, wellness coach, man - anyone can benefit from therapy.
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Counseling From A Psychologist – Physical Effects Of Counseling

I told the counseling psychologists that I felt physical effects, as I was lethargic and too lazy to get up every day; some days, I would not even leave my bed unless I badly needed to use the bathroom. There were two full weeks when I did not cook and survived by eating chips and ice cream. Just imagine the toll of these things on my physical health too. I really had specific issues with my personal and interpersonal functioning and ability. I felt that counseling would really be of help at that time. Group counseling was another solution that I can think of to alleviate distress and learn stress management.

Psych counsel/Counseling
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My mental health — psychological depression — could have gone on up to this day. If anything, I could have become a patient. However, my mother asked one of my colleagues – a counseling psychologist who’s an expert on mental disorders – if they could check on me because they could not get ahold of me. As soon as my friend saw me, she said, “What happened to the clinical psychologists/career counseling consulting services fan I knew?”

“Gone with the wind, I guess,” I answered her dryly, as I had no physical ability left to say more.

My friend, who has been through graduate school (think doctoral programs and a master’s degree), pushed me to take a shower as she cleaned my living room. The cold water hitting my physical body already gave me a sense of clarity, education, knowledge, and understanding of my complete emotional distress. Once I was in fresh clothes, my clinical psychologist’s friend offered me group counseling, which I could accept. True enough, both counseling and her help were heaven-sent.

Psychologist In Counseling Career/Counseling Services

Even if you are a counseling or psychology professional for large American psychological association  or American psychological corporations and professional organizations that require a career, conduct and work with independent study or research, and vocational developmental progress, you are not immune to depression or any psychological disorder. That is especially true in troubled times like now when you can’t resolve crises without a psychologist’s counseling services. Do not hesitate to pursue psychology counseling services, whether in public or private practice psychology, if you need counseling advice or services.

If you want to share your knowledge, understanding, and techniques about psychology counseling, or psychiatric counseling for that matter, do comment below this article!

Psychologist In Counseling: FAQs

  1. What Are The Stages In Counseling?

  2. What Is The Function Of A Counseling Psychologist?

  3. What Makes A Good Psychology Expert?

  4. How Does It Work On Depression, Anxiety, And Other Disorders?

  5. Is It Effective For Everyone?

  6. How Can This Promote Optimal Mental Health?

  7. How Do You Distinguish It From Psychotherapy?

  8. How long does counseling last?
  9. What skills are required to be a psychologist?
  10. What does a counseling psychologist do on a daily basis?
  11. What is the difference between a psychologist and a counseling psychologist?
  12. What are the 3 types of counseling?
  13. What do counseling psychologists do?
  14. Is a counseling psychologist a doctor?
  15. How do I become a counseling psychologist?

Frequently Asked Questions About Magnesium Supplements

Getting diagnosed with mental health issues is the worst thing that can ever happen to me. It changes everything in my life. It made me believe that the negative and uncontrollable things around me are something I deserve. Because I do not often find time to take care of my overall health, I should experience something like this. But should I be okay with that? Should I instantly accept that my mental health is now damaged because I did not pay attention to it?

I realized that if I wanted to become mentally stable again, I needed to find the best solution for my condition. With that, I managed to have the courage to seek professional help. As I went on with a series of therapeutic sessions, my therapist advised me to take medication. He insisted that I should take antidepressants to avoid the intensifying signs and symptoms of depression. However, despite the consistency of taking the drugs, I somehow felt like I still need more. Not in the sense that I got to be addicted to my depression disorders antidepressant pills or anything. But what I mean by “I need more” is that I have to incorporate something into my lifestyle. And that took me to the idea of taking magnesium supplements.

After researching online, I learned that magnesium is an essential mineral that is involved in a wide range of bodily processes, including muscle and nerve function, blood sugar regulation, and bone health. Some studies have suggested that the amounts of magnesium usually plays a role in the related treatment of depression.

One theory is that magnesium helps to regulate the body’s stress response system, which can become dysregulated in people with mental condition such as moderate depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety, PTSD, etc. Additionally, it has been found to have a calming content effect of magnesium supplementation on the nervous system, which may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.

However, it is important to note that while some studies have suggested a potential benefit of magnesium for depression, the evidence is still limited and inconsistent. More research is needed to fully understand the role of magnesium in treatment.

If you are experiencing symptoms of depression disorder, it is important to seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider who can look at your case and develop the most appropriate treatment plan for your individual needs. This may include medications, therapy, or other interventions.

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At first, I was hesitant about the thing because I do not entirely know how supplements can help with mental illness. I do understand that it provides additional vitamins and minerals, though. But I am not convinced of supplements keep someone mentally okay. However, when I asked my doctor about it, he happily told me that it could be a good choice. I gave him a few frequently asked questions, and now I am using some of them as wellness guidelines. Below is the list of queries I also asked.

Which type of magnesium is best for depression?

Studies show that supplemental magnesium is useful in stabilizing mood. Magnesium citrate is 16% bioavailable and gets highly absorbed by the body, making it most helpful for individuals enduring constipation. However, the glycinate form is more beneficial for reducing the symptoms people experience when they have mild-to-moderate conditions and anxiety or other health issues like chronic stress, insomnia, and inflammatory conditions.

How much magnesium should I take for depression?

Over-the-counter magnesium supplements significantly improve depression in a span of two weeks. That is why medical experts suggest a 200–400 mg dose of it, especially at bedtime. That is due to magnesium’s effects in promptly inducing sleep vital to recovery from the mental disorder. But you should always consider that it is best to take forms of magnesium that dissolve well in liquid because these are more completely absorbed in the gut than other soluble forms.

Is magnesium an antidepressant?

Magnesium is highly absorbable and bioavailable. In a randomized clinical trial with depressed older individuals, a daily 450 mg of magnesium supplement helps improve mood as effectively as an antidepressant drug. But note. Though magnesium glycinate is often used for its calming effects, scientific evidence on these uses to treat depression, anxiety, and insomnia is limited.

Does magnesium improve mood?

Magnesium plays a significant function in mood and brain function as it helps develop serotonin, which is a major contributor to happiness. Magnesium can help individuals regulate emotions and balance moods. A study found that those individuals who consider taking Magnesium supplements reported an improvement in symptoms. That is regardless or on top of their existing treatment.

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 Is It Okay To Take Magnesium Every Day?

For some people, doses less than 350 mg a day are proven safe for most people. However, there are instances that magnesium can cause nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, stomach upset, and other side effects, especially when taken in very large amounts, such as a dosage greater than 350 mg daily. In conclusion, more than enough of the required dosage is always unsafe and can cause overall health damage.

What’s the best time to take magnesium?

There is no specific time to take magnesium supplements, as they can be taken at any time of the day. For as long as the person is consistent in taking it, there is not much to worry about. As a matter of fact, some individuals like taking the supplements first thing in the morning because that is the easiest and most convenient time of the day. But of course, others like to take the supplement at dinner or just before bedtime.

What are the symptoms of low magnesium in the body?

The symptoms of low magnesium in the body include fatigue, convulsions, muscle spasms or cramps, numbness, muscle weakness, and abnormal eye movements or also known as nystagmus.

There is High Blood Pressure, Asthma, Irregular Heartbeat, and Osteoporosis as well. Low magnesium in the body can lead to low levels of other vital minerals such as potassium and calcium. Also, psychological disorders are another potential consequence of magnesium deficiency.

Does magnesium make you gain weight?

Magnesium is an important nutrient in the body regulating blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and muscle and nerve function. It also helps sustain healthy bone and DNA and consuming more than enough shows no effectiveness regarding weight loss. But the reduced magnesium in the body is a different story as it is linked to insulin resistance that can potentially lead to weight gain.

What’s the role of magnesium in our body?

Magnesium plays an important role in mental health, and magnesium deficiency has been associated with major depression. Magnesium supplementation can help increase magnesium levels in the body and may contribute to a rapid recovery for those struggling with severe condiition. There are a variety of magnesium supplements available, such as magnesium oxide, magnesium citrate, and magnesium malate. While magnesium can be an effective treatment, however when you are in a magnesium oxide treatment,  it’s important to be cautious with the intake because of the effect of magnesium as it can have chemical reactions when taken with other medications. It’s always recommended to consult with a doctor before taking it. Furthermore, before starting the treatment,  make sure that the cause of the magnesium deficiency in your body is depression.

How long before bed should you take magnesium?

Taking magnesium supplements as a sleep aid is one of the ways medical experts recommend it. Taking the supplement 1-2 hours before going to bed is advisable as it also helps with sleep issues like insomnia.

What’s the natural way to consume magnesium in daily intake?

Keeping a healthy diet that involves foods that are rich in magnesium may play an essential role in the treatment, as low magnesium levels have been found to be connected to a higher risk. Magnesium helps regulate blood pressure and stress hormones, which are some of the factors that can contribute to depression. However,  the reliance of humanity on food processing and the constant reduction of nutrients from soil may result in low magnesium intake. For that reason, it’s important to ensure that we are getting enough magnesium through our diet or supplementation.

Awareness is crucial to avoid adverse effects which can result from taking more magnesium than intended. According to the 2018 study published in the Med Hypotheses journal, low magnesium levels may contribute to postpartum depression, making magnesium intake even more significant, particularly to pregnant women and to those who have given birth recently.

What Medications Should You Not Take With The Chemical Element?

You should not take medications along with magnesium as it may increase the risk of low blood pressure. Some of the medications you need to avoid include DynaCirc, IsoptinVerelan, Cardizem, Plendil, Norvasc, Adalat, Calan, Procardia, and others.

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Benefits of Taking The Supplements

Magnesium is an essential mineral that is involved in many bodily processes and has numerous potential health benefits. Here are some of the benefits of taking magnesium:

  1. Supports bone health: Magnesium is a key nutrient for bone health, as it helps to regulate calcium levels in the body and is necessary for the formation and maintenance of healthy bones.
  2. Improves heart health: Magnesium has been found to help regulate heart rhythm, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall heart health.
  3. Reduces inflammation: Magnesium has anti-inflammatory properties, which can help to reduce inflammation in the body and potentially reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.
  4. Relieves muscle cramps: Magnesium is important for muscle function and can help to prevent and relieve muscle cramps.
  5. Reduces anxiety and stress: Magnesium has a calming effect on the nervous system, which may help to reduce symptoms of anxiety and stress.
  6. Helps regulate blood sugar: Magnesium is involved in insulin production and can help to regulate blood sugar levels in the body.
  7. Improves sleep: Magnesium may help to improve the quality of sleep by promoting relaxation and reducing symptoms of insomnia.

Overall, magnesium is an important nutrient that plays a vital role in many bodily processes and has numerous potential health benefits. However, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning a magnesium supplement regimen, as it can interact with certain medications and can be harmful in people with certain health conditions.

Final Thoughts And Takeaway

I am not saying that you should always process your health through magnesium supplements when you feel emotionally and mentally unstable. Yes, magnesium is important as it helps in the development of the mind and body. But you should not rely on it as a medication for a mental illness. Always ask your doctors about any pills you might want to take so they can give you a piece of proper advice on what or what you should not do.

People with depression may consider taking magnesium supplements because some studies have suggested that it may have a positive effect on mood and symptoms of depression.

Research has shown that individuals with depression may have lower levels of magnesium in their blood compared to individuals without depression. Additionally, some studies have found that magnesium supplementation may be helpful in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, particularly in individuals who have a magnesium deficiency.

While more research is needed to fully understand the role of magnesium in depression treatment, it is generally safe for most people to take magnesium supplements in moderation. However, it is important to note that supplements can have a specific reaction when taken with certain medications and can be harmful in people with certain health conditions, such as kidney disease. Therefore, it is important to speak with a healthcare provider before beginning a supplement regimen.