Category: Self Help

Self Care

Saturday, 28 April 2012 21:47 Written by Lasandra 0 Comments

Finding the time and energy to take care of yourself can be challenging in today’s busy world. Sometimes juggling work, family, and other commitments leaves very little room for you to do something just for yourself. However, it’s very important that you do. Self-care reduces stress which in turn helps you to cope with day to day responsibilities. Proper self-care goes beyond an occasional indulgent trip to the spa. It’s about creating a lifestyle with healthy habits. This includes exercise, getting enough sleep, healthy eating, proper hygiene, practicing relaxation techniques, etc. It’s about being healthy – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Perhaps by now you’re thinking, “Sounds nice, but I don’t have the time or money.” The good news is there are plenty of ways to practice self-care without spending a dime. For example, exercise doesn’t require a gym membership. Simply taking a walk or riding a bike through the neighborhood or a local park can help reduce stress. Maybe there’s a book you’ve been wanting to read for quite some time. Make a trip to the library and commit a few minutes each night to reading it. Journaling, listening to music, or soaking in a hot bath can also be effective self-care techniques. Maintaining social support and taking up hobbies can also help. Finding the time may be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort.

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Overcoming Stigma and Accepting Help

Friday, 06 April 2012 20:19 Written by Lasandra 0 Comments

Suffering from a mental health condition is hard. Unfortunately, the stigma that is often associated with it can make it even harder. Individuals with mental illnesses are often portrayed in movies and television as extremely dangerous, violent, or unstable which can result in misinformation to those around us. Words like “crazy” and “psycho” are painful and perpetuate the unnecessary stigma. Far too often this type of stigma serves as a barrier to reaching out for necessary support.

First, recognize that seeking help is not a sign of personal weakness. Professional counseling provides support so that you don’t have to do it all alone. Second, try to release the fear of being “labeled.” Sometimes people are afraid to acknowledge having a condition that needs treatment. However, identifying what’s wrong can provide relief and result in a specific treatment plan to reduce troubling symptoms. If it’s determined that you are suffering from a mental health condition you may be hesitant to share this information with others. Remember, judgment from others may be based on misinformation. Sharing your diagnosis with those you trust may help educate those around you and help to reduce the overall stigma.

Some recent studies suggest the stigma associated with mental illness may be decreasing as evidenced by an increase in the public acceptance of antidepressants. However, it’s important to remember that study after study shows that drug treatment is most effective when combined with talk therapy. Medication can be helpful in treating the chemicals in our brains, but humans are made up of more than just chemicals. We are emotional beings and often times our feelings and emotions demand our attention.

Overcoming stigma and accepting professional help can be challenging, but it may be just the thing to empower you to take back control of your life.

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Learning to Let Go of the Past

Tuesday, 03 April 2012 13:50 Written by Lasandra 0 Comments

“Don’t let yesterday take up too much of today.” – Will Rogers

We all experience pain in life. Suffering may come through losing a loved one, going through a divorce, losing a job, or enduring physical, mental, or emotional abuse. We’ve all been hurt before one way or another. Letting go of that pain can be incredibly difficult, but is key to ensuring it doesn’t continue to rob you of the joy you could be experiencing today.

Allowing the pain of the past to continue residing within only leads to destruction. It can ruin relationships and cause physical ailments. Living with significant anger can even result in self-destructive behaviors like addiction, eating disorders, and self mutilation. Holding on to the past distracts from the current moment and the opportunity for present and future happiness. Moving forward begins with letting go of the past and forgiving. You can’t change the past or forget it, but you can choose to let go of the pain and anger and move forward. Forgiveness puts you back in control.

This kind of forgiveness probably won’t happen overnight. It will take effort. As negative thoughts of the past bubble up you will have to consciously redirect your thoughts to the present. Remind yourself of who you are today. Recognize how far you’ve come. Know that you are the only person with the power to take control of your life. Be empowered – let go of your past and look ahead to the future. You are now in charge!

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Developing A Mentality For Motivation

Thursday, 01 March 2012 07:04 Written by Lasandra 0 Comments

Staying motivated through the completion of a task can be incredibly challenging. That’s true whether you’re trying to lose ten pounds, complete a project at work, finish your spring cleaning at home, or are trying to increase your overall positivity. Fortunately, there are steps you can take towards creating a mindset that will help you maintain your motivation.

First, it’s important to remember why you’re doing whatever you’re doing. What’s the reward? Perhaps it’s an external motivator such as a paycheck. Or, maybe it’s the internal reward that comes with a sense of accomplishment. Your confidence and self-esteem can receive a boost when you learn a new skill or complete a task. Knowing that you are one step closer to your big picture goal can be a motivator in itself. Whatever the reward is – try to keep it in mind (especially in those moments when your motivation seems to dwindle).

Once you have a clear picture of your overall goal and the motivating factors, you can begin to break the goal down into smaller goals with specific objectives. One of the easiest traps for losing motivation is setting goals that are too lofty. If you continually fail to complete your goals it’s probably a good time to look at them again and make some adjustments. Create realistic goals that will set you up for success. Again, the sense of accomplishment that comes with achieving even a small goal can help boost your confidence and motivation.

Also, try to keep things interesting or fun as much as you can. If you are able to find some enjoyment, even if small, it will help you to maintain your motivation. Think about ways you can make the task enjoyable. If things are becoming dull and mundane try to switch them up. Recruit others if you need to.

Finally, remember to take a step back every once in a while to see how far you’ve come. Recognizing your progress is critical to staying motivated. It diminishes the often daunting mountains we envision ahead of us making them manageable hills. Remind yourself you’ve made significant strides and can be successful!

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Life After Divorce

Friday, 27 January 2012 19:51 Written by Lasandra 0 Comments

Going through a divorce can be incredibly painful. It may be the toughest storm you’ve ever had to weather. The financial and emotional stress can be hard to bear and the transition from “we” to “me” may feel like going through an identity crisis. If you’re accustomed to thinking of yourself as one half of a larger whole this is the time to remind yourself that you are a unique and complete individual all of your own. It’s a major life alteration and, although it may not feel like it at the moment, there can indeed be a truly full and happy life after divorce. While on the road of transition here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Give yourself the freedom to mourn. Going through a divorce may feel like you’ve experienced a death. That’s because, in a sense, you have. Divorce is the death of a marriage and perhaps the lifestyle you envisioned. The feelings you experience may be similar to those in the stages of grief and loss. Recognize that this is normal and may take some time.

2. Lean heavily into your support system. That means allowing friends and family to be there for you when you’re ready. Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to take advantage of their offers. Spending time with others during this painful time can help decrease feelings of loneliness. Also, many people find divorce support groups to be helpful. Seek one out in your local community if you feel it would be beneficial to spend time with others who have experienced similar pain.

3. Monitor your thoughts. Though you are experiencing pain, it’s important to take note of the messages you are sending yourself. Positivity is a powerful tool. Recognize that thoughts like “my life is over” aren’t factually true – your life is not over. Acknowledge that it may feel that way and then try to reframe it in a positive way such as “this is an opportunity for a new beginning for me.” Perhaps take some time to reflect on goals you had before you were married or personal passions that have been left behind. Then, take advantage of the opportunity to put them back into practice.

4. Know when to seek professional help. If you feel like you are unable to move beyond your grief it may be time to reach out. If you or loved ones begin to notice symptoms of depression in you or your children or if you simply feel it would be beneficial to talk to an objective third party to help guide you on your new path in life don’t hesitate.

There is life after divorce. How will you choose to spend it?

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