From stealing Taylor Swift’s microphone during her VMA acceptance speech to smashing a photographer’s camera on the ground, Kanye West has been known for angry outbursts. After his scuffle with the photographer, Kanye received anger management counseling for 12 one-hour sessions.
Anger is a normal emotion, but out of control anger can lead to problems that may require a therapist.
ACT Mental Health offers anger management classes. Led by therapist Sharon Kaplow, the class focuses on communication and frustration tolerance. The class is $20 and every Tuesday from 5:45 to 7 p.m. Initial assessment is $50. (more…)
Part-time work after retirement may help our physical and mental health, a new study says.
Dr. Mo Wang, an assistant professor of psychology at the University of Maryland, says you should begin to work part-time in your field instead of moving into retirement all at once. Wang did a study on 12,000 workers in the U.S. Participants who worked part-time before retirement had lower rates of high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis as opposed to those who went straight into retirement. (more…)
Recent studies show that our facial expressions reinforce our emotions.
In a study of botox recipients at the Technical University of Munich in Germany, scientists took fMRI scans of participants while asking them to make angry faces. Participants who could not move their faces because of botox injections had lower activity in the amygdala, hypothalamus and parts of the brain that involve emotional processing. (more…)
Got a headache? The National Headache Foundation provides a list of the most common foods that trigger headaches. Culprits include: aged cheeses, such as cheddar and brie; beans, such as lima and fava; sourdough bread; certain meats, such as sausage and bologna; nuts; chocolate and more.
Excessive amounts of tea, coffee or cola beverages can also cause headaches. The National Headache Foundation recommends limiting caffeinated drinks to two cups a day. For a complete list of foods to avoid visit,
http://www.headaches.org/education/Headache_Topic_Sheets/Diet_and_Headache_-_Foods.
When was the last time you took a walk in nature? You might need some ecotherapy. Ecotherapists believe that separation from nature could lead to stress, anxiety, and depression. Humans evolved with nature over millions of years ago and need to interact with nature—the ocean, trees, animals—on a daily basis.
In big cities and because of industrialization it has become normal to sit behind a desk all day. Craig Chalquist an instructor at JFK University in San Francisco says that we begin to feel like we are above in addition, separate from nature. (more…)
More students are seeking psychiatric help at college campuses, according to a survey of college counseling center directors. The survey was led by the University of Pittsburgh’s Robert Gallagher.
In 2007, 10 percent more students reported being diagnosed with depression at some point in their lives than students in 2000.
Researchers are unsure of the reason for the rise in mental health issues on college campuses. Daniel Eisenberg, who directs the Healthy Minds Study at the University of Michican, said that earlier diagnosis of mental illness in grade school could be the cause for the increase in college students seeking therapy.
Dr. Thomas Parham, the Assistant Vice Chancellor of the UC Irvine Counseling and Health Services, said the number one reason why students seek counseling (more…)
In the U.S., where sometimes every free moment is considered an opportunity, it’s easy to fill up your entire calendar without scheduling a break. But not taking a moment to pause every so often, could lead to stress-related mental illness.
Perhaps it’s best to look at other cultures for tips on how to take a break. In Tibet, Buddhist monks use meditation. In fact, some monks are so good at meditation that they can sit for hours in freezing cold temperatures without being affected.
Herbert Benson, who is an associate professor of medicine at the Harvard Medical School, studied monks living in the Himalayan Mountains. Through meditation these monks could raise the temperature of their bodies by 17 degrees to withstand the cold. (more…)
Do you need more clarity in your life? Sometimes the best way to find clarity is by writing in a journal.
Active journaling, where you write about your thoughts and feelings, is beneficial for your health in many ways. The writing process activates both sides of your brain to engage your intuitions and creativity as well as rational thinking.
Journaling can be used as a problem-solving tool to help you sort out what is good in your life and what is worth parting ways with. Consistent recording tracks how you’re improving. (more…)
The recent rise in unemployment has also led to a rise in mental health issues, according to a survey conducted by the National Alliance on Mental Illness.
Compared to the employed, the unemployed are “four times more likely to experience severe mental-health issues.”
In addition, people who are constantly worried or stressed about losing or finding a job reported having poor overall health.
(more…)
Not all tasty foods are unhealthy. A Mediterranean diet—rich in olive oil, legumes, vegetables and fruits—not only is nutritious, but it also could make you happier.
Dr. Almudena Sanchez-Villegas and researchers from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain, reported that people with a Mediterranean diet were less likely to develop depression. These findings were based on a study of 10,094 participants who were followed for 4 years.
The researchers reported that monounsaturated fatty acids found in olive oil improve the binding of serotonin to its receptors. Serotonin is important for regulating sleep, moods and inhibiting pain. (more…)