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Posts published in “Mental Health”

Why & How You Should Pay More Attention to Your Social Lifehappiness in community

Why & How You Should Pay More Attention to Your Social Life

By Marco Ibarra on 12/16/2019

With all the social media platforms we have, we should have made a lot of friends and felt more fulfilled than the older generation, shouldn’t we? Well, the fact is quite the opposite. YouGov even stated that millennials are the loneliest generation, compared to Gen X and Baby Boomers. Even worse, another survey by the same organization pointed out that 25% of millennials do not have a single friend! But why should you be concerned with this?

Having Friends Contribute Positively to Your Health

different moodsFrom simple companionship at the bar to a more intimate experience like receiving friendship bracelets, having your life surrounded with people who care for you can improve your health. In 2010, having good social ties can increase your life expectancy by up to 20%. It is twice as effective as exercising and is the same as quitting smoking. 

However, you should be careful with who your friends are because bad behaviors are indeed contagious. A study in the New England Journal of Medicine found out that only by being around an obese friend, your chance to develop the same condition can rise until 57%. 

Another benefit of having friends is that it can keep your mind healthy, especially after you reach old age. A study in 2012 linked dementia with loneliness. Those who live in isolation are more likely to suffer from dementia. Therefore, you should start thinking about going out to make friends, especially if you have not seen anyone for the past several months. Don’t take this lightly!

Healthy Activities to Do with Friends

laughing with friendsAs pointed above, your friends can help you to either improve or worsen your health. Therefore, don’t just make some friends. But you should also make sure your time spent with them is for healthy activities. 

First, you can try to ask them for routine strolls in the city parks. Imagine walking outdoor surrounded by green plants under the blue sky with some friends. Not only will it boost your mood, but it can also improve your cardiovascular health. 

Second, try to mingle with friends who have sports as their hobby. For instance, kayaking, dirt biking, and cave exploration can give you not only physical challenges but also a rewarding experience. 

Closure

Maintaining a healthy social life turns out to be beneficial to both your physical and mental health. Therefore, you’d better pay more attention to your friends and the amount of time you spend with them. Even though we live in the digital era, where everything can seemingly be digitalized, going out with friends the old way is irreplaceable. 

The Role Played by Mental Health Counselorscounselor

The Role Played by Mental Health Counselors

By Shad Roselli on 12/22/2018

There are growing concerns about mental health. Life throws many things at us, which are often quite difficult to comprehend. You never know what the future, and there are moments when these moments will turn your life upside down. While it easy to rise above some physical challenges, you need to make serious efforts to overcome emotional and mental illnesses. This article looks at the approaches followed by mental health practitioners to help their patients.

Takes Tome to Understand the Patient

counseling session

Mental health counselors deal with different characteristics. This implies that there is nothing like a one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to counseling. As such, they take time to understand the culture and background of the patient and examine the patient’s perspective. An open mind is needed to helping the patient. Instead of trying to make the patient alter their opinions, their primary objective should be to understand them first and make them cooperative based on the patient’s attributes.

Follows Holistic Approach

After the counselor learns everything about their patient, they appreciate the fact that therapy sessions are not just about talking and listening. As such, these professionals use a holist approach based on the signs and symptoms shown by the patient. Whether the patient is going through a divorce, domestic violence, drug abuse, career stresses, or self-esteem issues, the counselor should in a position to understand everything about them and offer a wellness model about them.

Flexibility in Assessment

The idea of seeking guidance and counseling from counselors can be contentious. Thus, this has always made people shy away from seeking counseling services. For instance, a counselor might be required to help a kid with mental issues, only to have them refuse to talk. As such, a good counselor should have a never-say-die attitude, and be motivated to try again with an open mind during the next session.

They Use Different Assessment Tools

mental health tilesWhenever an individual has a mental health issue, the only way the counselor can help them is by understanding their condition. A good counselor should be in a position to use different assessment tools as a way of understanding the plight of their patients. The only way you can be sure of getting a proper diagnosis is by working with a counselor that can understand your mental condition using the right assessment tools.

Seeking counseling services goes a long way in improving the quality of our lives. This move can also be lifesaving in most cases. Thus, instead of neglecting mental health, always make an effort of investing in your health.