mental health

The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Having a Dog?

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It is a known fact that dogs are indeed man’s best friend. They have all the qualities that describe a good companion: loyal, playful, curious, fearless, sociable, protective and bold. Not to mention their amazing hearts! No wonder humans have chosen dogs as their lifelong companions. Their impact in our lives is huge, and if you have a dog yourself, you would agree. There are many reasons as to why dogs are the best pets one can have. Not only do they have all the qualities of a great companion, they also make you feel less alone. They give the best cuddles- making you feel warm and cozy at night, and they will always make you feel missed and important, greeting you when you come home from a long day of work. Dogs are like stuffed animals that are truly there for you day and night. If you are looking for someone to cheer you up, a dog will give you joy! Many dog owners find so much happiness from caring for a dog. The longer you give them your love and attention, the more they give it back to you. If you are hesitant to get a dog, this article is for you. Vitalpetlife.com is here to give you all the reasons you should get a dog. Read more if you are interested.

The biggest pro of owning a pet dog is the physical and mental health benefits. Yes, caring for a dog may be hard and training them can take lots of your time and patience, but in the long run, the love of a furry friend will be all worth it. While training and caring for your dog can be time consuming, it can also benefit you in more ways than one. Here is a list of the many benefits of caring for a pet dog:

  • Consistency
Source:k9ofmine.com

Feeding a dog, potty training, and allotting play time consistently will help you in two aspects of your life: time management and sleep routine. Feeding and potty training go hand in hand. When you are training a puppy, you are most likely being woken up early in the morning. Sometimes, before your typical waking hours. This not only trains your dog to potty and eat at a specific time, but it also trains you, the owner, to sleep earlier, so that you can cater to your dog at an earlier time. Many dog owners become morning persons, which means you have so much more time to do more things. Not only do you try to manage your time wisely, but you also try to sleep at an earlier time to get more sleep during the night.

  • Physical Activities

As a dog owner, physical activities are important during the day. One thing to remember is that a lazy owner = a lazy dog. Luckily, dogs are physically active, so if you aren’t into physical activities or exercise, then a dog will definitely turn you into a more physically healthy lifestyle. More often than not, dog owners become physically active and allot time to do cardio with their dog. Cardio helps burn unwanted calories, speeds your metabolism, improves your body mass, and improves your heart. Owning a dog can kickstart your physical health journey for a stronger heart and lungs. How else are we supposed to care for our dogs.

  • Friendship
Source:ovrs.com

Taking your dogs out for a walk where there are a lot of people can help you gain friends. Dogs are people magnets, so it’s a great way to start a conversation with someone when they approach you. If you are struggling with making friends, or have social anxiety, your dog can be a way to calm you down, or to help you make life long friends.

  • Special Needs

Many dogs are owned by those who suffer from mental health illnesses. These dogs are called therapy dogs. People who have ADHD for example, benefit from having dogs because it helps with routine building. Caring for a dog means having a daily routine, and it is a great way to exercise your time management if you suffer from hyperactive ADHD. Another example are people with autism. Dogs can practice social skills and confidence because dogs, although cannot understand us, need a sense of communication.

  • Loneliness

Feeling lonely doesn’t feel right sometimes, when you have a dog, you will never feel alone. They are always by your side and will continue to give you the companionship that you need 24/7. If you are someone who is grieving the loss of somebody, the presence of a dog might be helpful for you.

  • Physical Touch

If your love language is physical touch, and you are lacking in that department, a dog might just be the answer to your prayers. Dogs need love, attention, and most importantly- cuddles! They are the best cuddlers and provide so much warmth. You can get hugs all day whenever you want!

  • Less Anxiety
Source:medicaldaily.com

Dogs can feel a human’s emotions. They can easily sense when you are feeling anxious or sad. They have a way of empathizing with their owner and find ways to comfort them. Dogs live in the moment, which means it is less likely that they think about the past. Their mindfulness can help you appreciate the little things in life that you tend to lose touch of when you are feeling anxious.

  • Staying Connected

When you’re an adult, it is so easy to socially climb your way to happiness. In most cases, people who suffer from this tend to lose touch of reality. Having a pet dog can take you away from that because they help you live in the moment.

There are more mental and physical health benefits when caring for a dog. We may not realize it, but dogs have more positive benefits than negative. Sure, it can take time and a little bit of patience to train them, but once you connect with your furry friend, there will be endless joy and laughter. Not only that, but it can also get you to kickstart anything that you’ve put off all these years such as exercise. It is true that a dog is a man’s best friend. Having a best friend means doing anything and everything together. A dog will really put you out of your comfort zone and will challenge you to do things you never have thought of doing. So what are you waiting for?

When Should I Seek Help for My Mental Health?

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Unfortunately, many people in the United States think they’ll be judged if they seek out services to support them and their mental health.

Because of this, many people put off seeing a therapist or going to a mental health treatment center. Instead, they try to work through their issues on their own at home, or may ask a family member or friend to provide support.

This is less than ideal for several reasons. Firstly, when you stay at home and bottle up your issues, you’re likely isolating yourself even more from your loved ones. This isolation leads to you having even more time alone with your thoughts, anxiety, depression, or other mental illness. This can exacerbate your negative thoughts and create even more shame and self-hate.

Source:uspm.com

On the other hand, if you recruit a friend or significant other to be your pseudo-therapist, you’re now putting a lot of pressure on them. They aren’t trained therapists, and they don’t know how to properly help you process your mental health issues. Since this is the case, you are also not getting the proper therapeutic help you need. All of this could lead to more arguments, feelings of resentment, and frustration for your relationship.

Instead of trying to solve your issues on your own or with an untrained loved one, seek out mental health professionals who can help you work through your issues once and for all. Read on to learn how to look for the signs you need to pursue support, and how to go about it.

Reach out when you first notice symptoms

How many of us ignore health issues because we don’t want to go to the doctor? Sure, my ear may hurt, but it’ll probably go away on its own. Yeah, my heart skips a beat every so often – that’s just how I’m built.

We ignore these symptoms for a few reasons. We may not want to pay for the medical bill that accompanies a trip to the doctor. Or we may be worried that this is a sign of something deeper – and we don’t want to know about anything that’s wrong with us.

But let’s look at this from an objective perspective: if I told you that someone was experiencing extreme chest pain, blurred vision, and a tingling left arm – but they refused to go to a doctor, what would you say? That they’re being ridiculous?

This is often the case for people who are experiencing mental health problems. They see the symptoms – maybe they are experiencing shallow breath, sweating, rapid heartbeat, repetitive, negative thoughts, inability to focus – but they ignore them. Because no one wants to have a mental health disorder. Unfortunately, by not seeking help, they’re putting themselves in danger of developing more dangerous behavior, like self-harm or substance abuse.

This is why it’s so important to seek out help as soon as you notice that a symptom is becoming quite regular and alarming. A mental health professional can help you begin to heal so you don’t get to the point of developing these toxic habits.

You may have to wait for treatment

Source:localcommunityhealth.com

After an extremely difficult year, many people’s mental health has taken a nosedive, and more and more people are seeking out help for the anxiety, grief, and depression they’re experiencing.

However, this influx is starting to overwhelm the available resources. Some therapists are listing 4-6 weeks as the wait time to see new patients. Other professionals aren’t seeing new patients at all, already at their max client load.

While it’s great to see that people are seeking out help for their mental health, the demand is now outpacing the supply, meaning there often aren’t enough therapists to see all the people wanting help.

These are hurdles you’ll have to face before even taking into consideration the insurance you have and the available funds you have to pay for a therapist.

If you have HMO (or in-network) insurance, for example, you may only be able to go to designated therapists who are in your network. You may be even more restricted if you need to see a therapist who can offer a sliding scale payment structure (meaning they offer different prices based on your income level).

For these reasons, you should reach out and book an initial consultation as soon as you believe you may need to see a therapist. You don’t want to wait until you’re at a critical point, and then have to wait a month to receive help.

What treatment should I seek out?

Source:achancetochange.org

All therapy is not the same. Therapists can have specialities to help people struggling with certain conditions. For example, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy can be very effective for people struggling with trauma or PTSD.

The specialist you seek out depends on what you’re struggling with. Do you find yourself worrying excessively? Look into therapists that specialize in anxiety disorders.

Do you find yourself obsessing over certain things? Maybe you inadvertently count things or look for patterns. Research counselors who treat OCD or other compulsive disorders.

Maybe you’re looking for a therapist who you can relate to and feel comfortable discussing your own experiences of trauma or mental health issues. Think about if you’d feel more comfortable going to a female therapist, or a Black therapist. These people may have shared life experiences of their own that may help you feel safer in opening up to them.

Maybe your mental health has led you to partake in dangerous activities, like substance abuse. In this case, you may want to look into more intensive treatment options, like a holistic treatment center. An example of this is The Exclusive Hawaii, where you can explore the deeper issues that are driving your addictive behavior, and learn practical tools to change your behavior.

Make the call

Regardless of what treatment option you choose, the most important step is making that initial call. Set up an appointment. See how you feel about the therapist. If you don’t think it’s the best fit, don’t write off therapy all together. Like anything in life, sometimes it takes time to find the right person for you.

Rest assured that the right therapist for you is out there – it’s just a matter of finding them.

A Small Town Boy’s Story Teaches Us That Mental Health Is A Global Problem

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Scared and alone, Ed JC Smith decided at 14 that he would end his life. Walking out of his house one night, he headed to the nearest train station and stood on the edge waiting for a train to pass by. With just moments to spare, a hand reached out and dragged him back from the edge.

Kicking and screaming, the stranger wrestled him to the ground until finally, he calmed the shaking boy. Walking him home, the rough-sleeping homeless man made him repeat over and over, “never give up, never give up.”

Today, in his early 40’s Ed JC Smith says it was the best advice he’s ever had, and the phrase has become his mantra. A lesson he shares worldwide with this coaching community.

He is considered one of the world’s most respected coaches. Ed credits his failure at school, his terrible relationship with his father, his youth plagued with acne and curvature of the spine, as a source of motivation, rather than despair.

Global Perspective Is Key

“So much in life is a matter of perspective. We all make choices and I have found that helping others resulted in me finding success in my own life,” says the softly spoken Englishman.

He may have failed at school but Ed JC Smith has spent his adult life making up for the lost time. Founder of The Champion Academy, he helps coaches reach more people, get more clients and make more impact..

The tools of his trade are many and varied, as are his interests. As he started to build his own coaching business, working firstly with women who had weight issues as an extension of his job at the gym, and then with corporate groups looking to increase their wealth and find financial freedom, he then branched out into the venture capital business.

And then, he lost it all. Bad advice, the wrong business partners, and suddenly all he had worked for was gone. He was 27. Yet, as many successful people will tell you, failure is a valuable lesson and Ed learned a lot from the experience.

Gloried Cleaner Makes Good

Ed JC Smith found his way back from despair when he got a job in a gym as a ‘glorified cleaner’ as a skinny teenager, long before fitness trainers existed. As he built himself up, he began to train others in the gym. His confidence grew and he found he enjoyed the experience.

As a failure in school he set out to study healing modalities, from taking psychology courses, studying NLP, and emotional clearance techniques, he started to invest in himself with courses and mentoring programs. He built his own business before helping others to build theirs.

“It’s hard to help others with transformation unless you’ve experienced it yourself,” he says. For Ed that meant creating a mindset that enabled him to see himself as a successful person before he made the leap to helping others find their success.

His courses include modules on finding clients online, starting a business with no money, identifying your ideal clients, and equips coaches with all the tools they need to grow their businesses. He urges his members to imagine themselves as successful coaches. He urges his members and future coaches to imagine themselves being there before they actually are. “Cultivate the mindset needed to achieve success is key,” Ed says.

While there are many coaches who are passionate about what they do and have achieved great success with their clients, learning to scale it up by using the online tools that have worked for Ed in his career is key to reaching out to many more clients than a one-on-one practitioner can ever do. Ed stands out among the online coaches for his formula for attracting clients and creating online courses that have a worldwide reach.

“I use YouTube effectively to provide value for my followers. There are a host of free tutorials that introduce coaches to the possibilities you have when you can reach a larger audience. You help more people and you also create financial freedom,” says Ed.

He speaks from experience and the feedback from those who have completed his courses is glowing. He speaks a language that everyone can understand and so many have put these practices to work in their own businesses, he is now in demand all over the world as a public speaker.

Learning to use the internet to scale up his own business has given Ed another type of freedom; time to enjoy his life.

Source: thriveglobal.com

“I’ve done the time, the slog, I worked hard to get where I am and then I developed a formula that works and allows each of the coaches who follow my program to create online courses that potentially reach millions without having to work at it every minute of the day. Freedom has different meanings for all of us but having time to enjoy your success is vital to a healthy mindset. You don’t need to work that hard once you have mastered the skills needed to grow your business, you can begin to enjoy the success you’ve built,” he explains.

Coaches serve the community across a wide range of issues. “I have a coach who helps women achieve orgasm, an issue she suffered herself. I have another who helps people deal with death, after losing a number of family members herself. The role of coach covers a whole range of interests and problem areas that people in the community suffer and being able to support and help people to get to a better place and make peace with their lives is incredibly fulfilling,” says Ed.

Bridging the gap between coaching and business has brought Ed the success and confidence he lacked as a kid. In his early 40’s, Ed is settled, he’s relaxed, he’s happy. His parents now live with him, suffering from old age, his father pops in during the interview and calls him a loser. Ed laughs it off now, knowing that while he may never be a success in his father’s eyes, to the world, he is one of the leaders in his field, and his compassion, integrity, and his support have affected thousands who have found their own way into the light.

Passive Income Ideas for College Students – 2021 Guide

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We all know how stressful college life is. You have to focus on your studies and you still want to have a good social life. During that period, you always need some extra money, but not everyone has time to find a part-time job. One can hardly spare a while to read EssayWritingService before ordering an assignment, leave alone having a job. Passive income is a great way to get some cash, however, many people think that is not possible.

Every person wants to have a bigger income and we try to make that happen by getting a second job or working on freelance projects. Those things sometimes take too much time, and when you are balancing between studies, taking care of your apartment and trying to have a healthy social life, that can seem like a bit of a stretch. Studies suggest that college students are prone to mental health issues because of all the stress they have when it comes to studies and trying to make ends meet.

Here we are going to give you some tips on how to get some passive income. Follow this guide when you feel like you don’t have enough money and try to incorporate them into your everyday life. Even though you can start using these things when you are in college, it does not mean that you have to give them all up once you finish your education and start working.

Rent out your car

Source: blog.mixauto.com.br

If you own a car, you know how often you use it and how much you need it. So, an easy way to get some extra income is to rent it out. However, you will need to check your country’s laws and see if you need any permits for it.

You will also need to get special insurance in case anything happens to it. Rent it only to trusted people and make sure you have a GPS device installed so you can track it at all times.

Create an app

Source: blog.designcrowd.com

Nowadays the demand for new applications that can support both iOS and Android is getting higher by the minute. It is said that there are more Android developers than iOS ones and that people who can develop for both platforms are really rare to find.

So, if you are a programmer and if you have some free time, then you can develop an app. You can contact companies to hire you, or you can just create the app and later on, sell it. Do some research on what the market needs right now and start spending your free time doing something that will bring you some extra cash.

Create a course

Source: proschoolonline.com

Is there something you are really good at? Maybe that is social media marketing, blogging or just tutoring. The easiest way to turn your knowledge into money is to create a course and sell it on a website like Udemy. Socialyy.com suggests that these courses are in demand nowadays and that things you know can give you passive income.

Storage rental

Source: everythingrentalcenter.com

If you have a free storage unit, then you are on the right path! Many people need extra space, so storages are a great way to keep and protect the things you don’t always need or use.

It is a great way to get some passive income and you don’t have to worry about too many things. You will get your extra money at the end of the month, and you can even invest in more units to get even more cash.

Vending machines

Source: engoo.com

This is a partial passive income because you will still have to get up and replenish the machines. However, you won’t need to do too many things and you will be getting extra money all the time.

You can invest in a few vending machines and put them in several places. Make sure you choose safe neighborhoods so you don’t risk the machine being broken into. Buy things in bulk so you can earn more money when people rebuy them.

List your place

Source: bridgebnb.com

If you have an extra room where you could accommodate people, you can list it on a website like Airbnb. This is an amazing way to get some extra money and to make new friends. If you leave your apartment for summer or winter break, that’s even better.

You can choose when you want to list it and when to accept guests. You can always check the people who want to rent your place, so you can be sure they are trustworthy. It is an amazing business idea where you only need to possibly invest in a new bed and to keep the place clean.

Other ideas

Source: howtostartablog.com

Other ways you can get some extra cash without doing anything include:

  • Sell digital files on Etsy
  • Design shirts or hoodies
  • Affiliate marketing
  • Sell stock photos
  • Sell eBooks
  • Start a blog
  • Sell study materials and notebooks
  • Invest in Stocks

Have you ever tried any of these things? What is your best tip for college students and getting some extra cash? Saving money may seem hard, but if you are smart about your funds, you will realize that you won’t have to struggle for cash every month.

Try to cut expenses on things you don’t need and try to follow your budget. There are a lot of different apps that can help you track the money you are making and the ones you are spending. When you first use the apps, you will feel like it is too much trouble to add all the things you spend money on, but in a short period, you will realize that the process helps your life. That way you will realize where your money is going and what you can do to spend less.

Experts recommend changing your TV or internet plan, so you cut some expenses on that. For example, if you mostly use your phone to go online, then you don’t need to have that many text messages or free minutes included. Go to your provider and ask them to give you a different plan that will still benefit you, but it will be at a smaller cost. Do the same with your TV plan and try not to use all the streaming services. In just a few months you will realize how much money you are able to save from all that.

9 Surprising Benefits of Doing Jigsaw Puzzles

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Jigsaw puzzles are a good way to enhance the brainpower of a child. The use of mathematical puzzles is quite efficient in building a child’s interest in this challenging subject. Students have shown great improvement in their math results by doing jigsaw puzzles. It has proven to improve cognition and visual-spatial reasoning. The exercise of putting the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle together requires concentration that improves the short-term memory and problem-solving skills of kids. Here are five surprising benefits of doing Jigsaw Puzzles:

1. Improves Memory:

Source:premiumjoy.com

Playing jigsaw puzzles is an especially effective way of improving short-term memory. It can improve short-term memory and increase a child’s performance in studies. Doing a jigsaw puzzle reinforces connections between brain cells, improves mental speed, and elevates memory power. When a child picks up a piece of puzzles to join, they have to search among the other pieces for color or shape. For that, they need to visualize the whole image, which they saw when pieces were together. This exercises the part of their brain in charge of storing this information to help maintain and improve short-term memory.

2. Increases IQ:

Doing a logical jigsaw puzzle has the potential of increasing your IQ. As most of the logical puzzles are derived from the field of mathematics, and math is a subject that improves the capability to think critically and solve problems. These logical puzzles are surely an effective activity that can improve kids’ intelligence quotient (IQ).

3. Collaboration and Team-work:

Doing a jigsaw puzzle in a group or as a collaborative activity with other kids promotes team spirit and collaboration in kids. It enables kids to attain a sense of teamwork to contribute to a team’s success positively. Encouraging such skills in kids can benefit them in the long run. These qualities are beneficial for kids in their careers as teamwork and collaboration are essential and valued organizational skills.

4. Mental Exercise:

Source:rd.com

Doing jigsaw puzzle exercises the whole brain. When a child solves a puzzle, both of their left and right brains collectively work together, increasing cognitive abilities. The two hemispheres of the brain control different functions. The right brain is in charge of creativity and emotions; whereas the left brain deals with logical and methodical things. By engaging your child with puzzles, you can develop both sides of their brain, giving a real mental workout. Exercising the mind also helps prevent cognitive decline.

5. Increases Productivity:

When a child learns math through puzzles and games, they feel happier and less stressed. Playing with puzzles makes it easier for them to focus; with this improved concentration, their productivity skyrockets. These puzzles also promote long term engagement, implying increased productivity and consistency.

Using a jigsaw puzzle gives an exercise to a child’s mind that can help spark imagination and creativity in them. It is useful in increasing both creativity and productivity in children. By encouraging children to do mathematical puzzles, you can deliver complex concepts and fundamental knowledge easily. To find some more interesting activities for your child to learn math, visit www.cuemath.com.

6. People can pay attention to details:

At the time of solving the puzzles, it is very much important for the people to pay proper attention to the details especially in case the pieces are very similar. Hence, this way the people will be able to train their eyes very easily and ensure that they will be able to find out differences between shapes and colours that will allow them to complete the image very easily. Hence, this is considered to be the best possible way of developing different kinds of skills which are very much helpful in every aspect of life, especially at work. Hence, in this way, people will become very detailed, precise because the quality of the work will very easily improve.

7. Improves the problem-solving abilities of the people:

Another very important benefit provided by solving jigsaw puzzles is that people will be having different kinds of abilities to improve their problem-solving skills. People will learn the value of formulating different kinds of theories, testing the hypothesis and changing the perspectives whenever things do not move as per the plan. Hence, these kinds of skills can be easily transferred to work which can make the people highly innovative because they will be based upon critical thinking, better adaptive skills and several other kinds of associated things.

8. People will always have a good mood:

Solving puzzles is considered to be a great way of ensuring that people will be able to have a good mood because it is directly linked with increasing dopamine production. This particular hormone is very much responsible for regulating the mood and optimism among people and it will also affect the learning and memory of the people. This particular hormone will be released whenever people will solve a puzzle which will further make sure that it will encourage people to deal with challenges in life very well and ensure that they are always successful.

9. It will help in decreasing the stress levels:

Source:greensboro.com

Another very important point associated with the solving of puzzles is that people will be having a lot of relaxation and in this way, they will be reducing their stress levels because this is directly linked with increasing self-confidence, relieving the stress, lowering down the BP and they will also have the best possible ability to make deeper connections with themselves. The whole process of solving the puzzles comes with different kinds of cognitive and physical benefits for the children.

Conclusion:

If you’re finding it challenging to keep your child focused in his studies, then jigsaw is a sure-shot way to keep them meaningfully engaged and focused. Doing jigsaw puzzles help to keep kids away from screens and to stay focused on their studies. Giving short breaks for doing a puzzle can reset their brain to perform better in studies. Many online math classes use puzzles and similar games in their curriculum to develop kids’ math skills. It is also a great way to make studies enjoyable. By playing with puzzles, kids feel refreshed to start with studies.

The Mental Health Implications of COVID-19

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The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to enormous repercussions for people around the world. This Excel spreadsheet from Simple Sheets will help you see the impact by country.

There are so many worries and fears that people have. There are health concerns, and then there are the financial consequences that have come with economic shutdowns.

There are also the people on the front lines of the pandemic, including first responders and medical professionals who are grappling with an unknown virus.

According to Darras Law, while we are learning more about coronavirus and the treatments seem to be getting better, and deaths appear to be declining, the mental health effects might last far beyond 2020 for many people.

From job loss to isolation, it’s important to be aware of your own mental health and to check in with the people you love.

Everyone Reacts to Stress Differently

Source:bangkokhospital.com

You may feel like you’re much more stressed than others around you about coronavirus or its effects. That’s normal, and people react to stress differently.

People also have different levels of fear in different situations. What may seem incredibly overwhelming for one person may not be as anxiety-producing for someone else.

Some of the people who may have the strongest reactions to the stress of COVID-19 include:

  • People who are considered high-risk to develop severe illness if they contract COVID-19, such as older people or people with certain underlying health conditions.
  • Children and teens.
  • Health care providers and other frontline workers.
  • Essential workers.
  • People with existing mental health concerns.
  • Individuals with a substance use disorder.
  • Someone who’s lost their job or experienced major employment changes.
  • People who live alone and are socially isolated.

If you have a pre-existing mental health condition or a substance use disorder, you may be especially vulnerable to the effects of stress such as what’s stemming from the crisis situation created by coronavirus. It’s important that you’re aware of your risk factors so you can take steps to care for yourself.

What’s Normal and What’s Not?

Again, stress is a normal reaction to certain things in life, and of course, a pandemic would qualify as a stressful situation. It’s imperative that you do give yourself some understanding if you’re experiencing stress but you also have to be able to recognize when things you’re experiencing or feeling might go beyond what’s considered “normal.”

If you have ongoing feelings of sadness or helplessness that aren’t situational and don’t go away, it could be a red flag. If you’re experiencing symptoms like problems concentrating, body aches, or changes in appetite, and these symptoms last for several days in a row, it may go beyond stress. Also if your symptoms are causing problems in your functionality in your daily life, it may not be considered just normal stress.

Managing Your Mental Health During COVID-19

Source:healthblog.uofmhealth.org

If you’re struggling during COVID-19, there are things you can do to take care of yourself and perhaps help your mental health.

Self-care is important for everyone right now.

Make sure that you have a good sleep routine and schedule and that you get plenty of sleep each night.

Regularly exercise because movement can help boost your mood and reduce anxiety. If you can find an activity you can safely and comfortably do outside, even better. Getting sunlight is good for your mental health and it’s also an important part of your physical health because it provides vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to worse COVID outcomes.

Don’t give into the temptation to cope with stress by eating unhealthy foods, such as refined sugar and packaged items.

Be careful about your consumption of alcohol because it can make mental health symptoms worse.

Also, aim to limit your screen time. Whether it’s a TV, your phone, or a computer, too much time in front of a screen is going to breed more anxiety and also keep you from engaging in more healthy activities.

If you can turn off the news, you’re likely going to see some big improvements in your mental health just from taking that one step. Constant news about COVID-19 and other things going on in the world right now is incredibly stressful. Social media can expose you to conflict and false information as well.

Know what your triggers are and actively work to avoid them.

For example, if you’re constantly refreshing the COVID death counter on your computer, then you’re triggering yourself over and over again.

Keep a journal for a week where you write down the situations that make you feel most anxious or depressed. After that week is up, look over them and start to identify those patterns that could be your triggers.

Work on training your brain to avoid them and break the loop.

We don’t even realize that sometimes we become addicted to bad news or things that trigger us.

We then put ourselves into a negative emotional spiral. If you can be more mindful and create a replacement for yourself when you find that you want to engage in these triggering behaviors, it can help your mental health.

Source:mymcmedia.org

Get Help If You Need It

By recognizing red flags and warning signs, you may be positioned to get help for yourself if you need it. It’s important to be proactive about seeking help when it comes to your mental health because otherwise the condition can worsen.

There are many options available to you.

One option is to seek support from the people in your life.

You might also reach out to someone who’s part of your faith community.

If your employer has an assistance program, they can provide you with a referral to a mental health profession.

There are organizations like the National Alliance on Mental Health and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration that can put you in contact with service providers and programs.

You can also talk to your primary care doctor and talk about what your options could be.

What’s most important through all of this is that you realize you aren’t alone. Be compassionate with yourself, and do what you need to do to stay mentally healthy.

What you Should do During the Social Distancing Time

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Social distancing is one of the most important precautions to avoid the spread of COVID-19. At this point of time, gatherings and going outside for leisure purposes are prohibited in almost all parts of the world. We didn’t expect that the time will come when we’re not allowed to meet our friends, conduct parties and events, or simply eat outside with our loved ones.

Source:oecdonthelevel.com

Adjusting to the “new normal”

For most countries around the globe, COVID-19 infection rates are becoming rampant. Although scientists are rushing to develop vaccines and medications, there’s no guarantee that we can finally go back to our normal lives in the coming months. One thing for sure is we must learn how to live safely by adopting new measures.

Here are 10 things you can do to reduce stress during this time

Indeed, it seems like the world has stopped with all the things happening around us. However, we must always think on the positive side and look for ways on how to be more productive while we’re in this situation.

Can’t think of anything? Here are some safe and fresh ideas you can try:

1. Create a new routine that works best for you

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COVID-19 pandemic has completely changed our daily lives. There’s nothing we can do about it but to adapt to this unfortunate situation while ensuring our safety. This big shift in our daily routine can make us feel uneasy for sure. That’s why you should develop a new routine that will help you cope with these drastic changes.

2. Keep your mental health in check

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Now that everyone’s stuck at home, this sudden shift can be depressing and stressful for most of us, especially for those who are always outside due to work or leisure activities with friends. Not to mention that many people have lost their jobs and are now struggling to search for a new source of income. This adds to our fear and anxiety as we face a future that is full of uncertainties.

If your mental health is unstable or you feel hopeless, don’t hesitate to seek professional help. There are also free online seminars conducted by licensed psychologists. These initiatives can help you focus on how you can properly take care of your mental health.

3. Reach out to your loved ones regularly

There’s nothing more comforting than being together with our loved ones. Due to our limited movement, meeting with our friends and relatives might not be possible right now. Instead, we can take advantage of video calls, chats, and social media platforms to make us feel as if we’re beside them. Just a simple “Hi” or “How are you?” can uplift one’s mood and make a person happy.

4. Pick up an old or new hobby

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Is there a hobby that you’ve always wanted to try but doesn’t have the chance to do so? Now is the perfect time to start it! We can see a lot of people on social media trying out something new to overcome boredom. Some of them are also even going back to their old hobbies. Try to redeem your passion for reading books, playing board games, learning a new music instrument, or other activities you once loved.

5. Get started with online dating

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With people stuck at their homes, does it mean we’re not also allowed to find new love or meet potential partners? Definitely no! Thanks to communications technology, we can now reach out to other people no matter how far they are. Many love seekers are now using dating apps with hopes of finding a partner amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. Use the dating platform that is perfect for your needs

Most individuals thought that installing and using multiple dating platforms will make their love search easier and faster. The truth is you simply need to have 1 or 2 apps containing all the features that suit your preferences.

If you’re new to online dating or you don’t want to go through these platforms one by one, Click Cupid provides you with highly detailed and honest reviews about various dating apps.

7. Learn new skills

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We can acquire new skills even if we’re just at home. In fact, we have more time now to explore training opportunities. There are various ways to improve our current skill set and make ourselves more knowledgeable.

Almost everyone is working from home, so no one is stuck in traffic or spending extra hours in the office. We can take advantage of this situation for our own benefit by allocating more time to our personal development and career advancement.

8. Enroll in an online course

Source:lovecourse.info

There are many online courses available from trusted institutions and professionals. Some are free or require payment for you to get a certificate of completion. Do you want to learn more about personal finances, graphic designing, writing, and many more? Consider what fields or areas you are interested in and start browsing the long list of learning opportunities that await you!

9. Reflect on your inner self and develop new goals

Despite all the restrictions imposed upon us, we can turn this moment into an opportunity to get to know ourselves better and empower ourselves to reach new heights. Probably, you can invest your time in reading books about self-esteem and personal development then apply all the things you learned from these resources.

10. Keep your body healthy

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This seems a no-brainer answer, but keeping our body in shape is the most important thing we should do right now. Gyms are closed and going outside is limited. However, these things shouldn’t stop us from getting the exercise we need. You can do a lot of basic activities inside your home with your families, such as lifting weights and sit-ups. If possible, you can also get equipment like a stationary bike that will make your exercise sessions more fun.

Let’s make this social distancing time worthwhile

We don’t know when we can go back to our normal lives and have the freedom once again to do all the things we want outside of our home. Nevertheless, what we can do at this time is to turn this situation into our advantage and enjoy the most out of it while we ensure our safety.

Benefits and Side Effects of Probiotics and Nutritional Supplements: Alternative Approach to Treat Autism Spectrum 

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When kids with autism have behavioral problems, lack of concentration, anxiety, or sleep issues, many medical and educational professionals recommend medication and supplements. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or autism spectrum condition (ASC) is a range of neurodevelopmental disorders that involves hindrance in the development of many basic skills and functions, including social and communication abilities.

Research suggests that genes along with influences from the environment might act together to affect a child’s development in a way that brings about autism spectrum disorder. Starting from infancy, this condition can last lifelong.

Alternative Treatment for ASD

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It is a challenge to treat autism as there is no permanent cure for this disorder. But intensive treatments at the early stage can make a big difference. The treatment aims at addressing the core disabilities of the child and helps improve those conditions. Thus assists the child to function better by reducing symptoms and supporting developmental learning.

Many autism researchers believe that brain function and guts have an interrelated link. Studies show that what happens in the gut microbiome may affect brain function too. Intake of probiotics for autism has proven beneficial in many such cases. According to autismparentingmagazine, they are referred to as the “Gut-Brain Axis”  determining how your brain will function based on how your gut is functioning.

Dietary supplements like Multivitamins, Magnesium, Zinc also have a promising effect on autism. Experts claim that there are several foods that can effectively help in treating autistic children, as well as adults. Here are some scientifically proven beneficial approaches to autism.

Benefits of Probiotics and Gut Health

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Probiotics are live bacteria living on and inside our body and are termed as the “Forgotten Organ”. They have been at the cutting edge of research for guts as well as the health of the whole body. Probiotics are involved in a number of areas of our well-being including brain health and balancing hormones. They help in breaking down different fatty acids, lower cholesterol, solve digestive disorders, improve intestinal health, help in mental conditions, enhance immunity, and regulate hormones.

Extensive studies provided researchers with proofs that link autism with gastrointestinal (GI) distress, changes in brain function, immune dysfunction, inattentiveness, and some serious repetitive behaviors. Supplements are important especially for children as their diets can be quite limited. Prescription probiotics affect autistic behavior in teens as well. In addition to the probiotic, a healthier lifestyle and daily light exercises play a major role in this.

Kids who have autism lack particular probiotics in their system. Studies have proved the impact of probiotics in many mental health disorders like anxiety, psychiatric disorder, autism, bipolar disorder, and depression. A good healthy gut makes sure of good probiotics in the system. This gut-brain axis is a measure of brain health based on gut health.

Are There Any Severe Side Effects of Probiotic Intake?

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Studies show that the role of probiotics in maintaining a healthy microbiome in the system is vital and has more benefits than side effects. Antibiotics are sometimes prescribed to treat particular diseases with meds. They either slow down the growth of bacteria or destroy them by messing up with the immune system.

Overprescription of antibiotics might eradicate the whole microbiome from the system resulting in poor health. Whereas, probiotics assist in restoring the microbiome and maintain healthy bacteria in the system.

Treating autism with probiotics have shown improved results over the past years of research. Probiotics help to treat autoimmune conditions and depressed immune systems. These conditions occur when the body becomes prone to viral attack of the flu and loses the power to fight the diseases. Probiotics help to boost the immune system and maintain a healthy balance.

Probiotics also help in treating skin disorders. People with acne problems are often prescribed with antibiotics. They improve the digestive system which in turn assist in improving skin conditions. Thus the overall body health is maintained.

Mental Health and Dietary Supplements

Nutritional supplements like Multivitamins, Zinc, Magnesium, and in some cases Omega-3 fish oils are commonly given to children with autism. Vitamin C or Ascorbic Acids have been used as supplementary therapy also that has shown some benefits but not as much as Vitamin D.

1. Vitamin D

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Children with autism are proven to have lower levels of Vitamin D in their blood compared to other kids. With a low Vitamin D level in the system, the intensity of autism increases. There have been promising cases that signify the positive improvement of autism in children with the intake of Vitamin D3 supplements.

Vitamin D has significant impacts on the improvement of behavior and attention. Studies show that depending on weights, daily intake of a safe amount of IU of Vitamin D has beneficial effects in children with autism, especially in anti-inflammatory measures, speech and DNS repair. To conclude, Vitamin D3 is safe and easily available. It has been proven to be beneficial in treating children with ASD by improving overall health.

2. Magnesium and Zinc

Source: parenting.firstcry.com

Deficiency of Magnetism and Zinc are linked to ASD. Supplementation of Magnesium can be used as a cofactor in the treatment of autism. It is a mineral that effectively produces energy and maintains nerve functions. It also helps in the contraction of muscles and maintaining bone health. Conditions like anxiety, seizures, sleep issues, inflammation, muscle numbness, and constipation can be treated with the prescribed dosage of magnesium.

Magnesium is very important for the healthy function of the body and is usually obtained from food intake. In the case of people with autism, the gut does not function properly. Thus digestion hampers and magnesium deficit occurs. The effects of magnesium are not that much adverse as in other cases, it might cause bowel upset and can be overcome by maintaining the dosage.

To sum up, the impact of the “Gut-Brain Axis” or “Forgotten Organ” in treating autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cannot be overlooked. Probiotics play an essential role in improving brain health and maintaining a balanced immune system. A healthy gut provides healthy digestion and in turn, helps to sustain mental equilibrium.

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