Anxiety is felt by everyone once in their lifetime. However, teenagers and adolescents coping with generalized anxiety disorder result in depression, substance abuse, alcohol addiction, and emotional and social functioning difficulties. “Anxiety is a reaction to a situation we perceive as stressful or dangerous,”Monique Reynolds, Ph.D., licensed clinical psychologist.
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Where Does It Come From?
Anxiety does not occur instantly. It is usually a combination of different happenings in an individual’s life. Here are some examples where it starts:
Transitioning from a student as a working adult
Illness of a person close to him
Fear of separation from a partner, friend, or family
Problems in school
Being bullied
When people experience these kinds of problems, it usually results in anxiety. Some symptoms of a generalizedanxiety disorder include panic attacks, stomachaches and headaches, being uncomfortable in social situations, and experiencing unwanted thoughts and sensations. “You feel very much the way you do when in a dangerous situation…[but] there’s no real danger there,” clinical psychologist Robert Duff, Ph.D. says. If this happens, your general anxiety disorder is not healthy for you.
What Is Emotion-Focused Therapy And How Can It Address Generalized Anxiety?
Emotion-focused therapy, also called focusing-oriented psychotherapy, is a therapy that deals with clearing emotional blockage through focusing. Focus therapy is an awareness practice that allows an individual to perceive the bodily sensations of his emotion. This way, mental health professionals can address the issues.
In the case of generalized anxiety disorder, here are ways therapy can help solve it:
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First, the emotion-focused therapist asks the client to notice which parts of her body are affected once generalizedanxiety disorder is experienced. They may perceive it in their stomachs (whenever they feel that there are butterflies inside), arms and legs (whenever there’s numbness), chest (whenever their heart constricts). In some cases, they may feel it all over their body. This kind of embodied understanding is called “felt senses.”
The client is then asked to process the physical sensation bit by bit. They may describe it in detail, attach an image to portray it, or find the right names for appropriate definitions.
Once processed, they are then assisted in making deep contact with the feeling ofanxiety. Deep contact refers to acknowledging the sources of the generalized anxiety disorder, feeling the pain of these sensations, and identifying the factors that can ease it. This slow journey allows the bodily sensations to naturally shift into a deep inner resolution.
How Is Emotion-Focused Therapy Different From Other Kinds Of Therapies?
Emotion-focused therapy treats a patient as the center. Emotionally focused therapists are available to guide all clients in processing their inner emotions. Such professionals do not come up with interpretations of patients’ feelings or offer advice on how to overcome their anxiety disorder.
Also, emotion-focused therapy does not also adopt practices of other classic mindfulness approaches. Emotion-focused therapy allows all clients to experience any pain in their bodies to resolve it, as compared to acknowledging it and letting it go afterward, which is what the traditional mindfulness practice does.
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This kind of approach caters to individuals experiencing darkness in their lives. Their therapists will not be the ones who will direct them to the light. Rather, their respective emotionally focusedtherapists will be the ones who will hold the lanterns that can serve as their guide into finding their paths to deep inner resolution.
Wanna Try Emotion-Focused Therapy?
You can also do this at home, as a self-help coping mechanism, before going to therapy. “The other most effective things we can do when we need to calm the nervous systems and our physiological threat response is to calm the breath. Controlled breathing has been shown to activate the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system which can help turn off the threat response,“ according to Alicia H. Clark, PsyD.
Things That Improve Mental Wellbeing – Mental Wellness Counseling Tips
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Perhaps you sometimes know what makes other people happy. Most of them want a stable life, complete family, lots of friends, successful business, great career, stable financial status, etc. These are only a few that you can name as the most common things that bring people so much joy and fulfillment. But when you think about it, though these simple things can be attainable, some are having a hard time getting it while others can take it in a swift. That is because people cultivated some habits that greatly impact the positive outcome of these desires for happiness. And below are our mental wellness counseling tips.
Some Mental Counseling Tips To Be Well
Stick With People You Genuinely Love
One way to ensure your happiness is by surrounding yourself with people you love and care about. There is no greater happiness than can match being surrounded by loving friends and family. Not only can they make you feel better, but they can also remind you of what’s worth living for. Surrounding yourself with positively influenced individuals will also pull the necessary energy that can help you to become mentally and emotionally stable. So call them if you can, ask them to hang out with you, invite them over to your place, and spend time with them.
Value And Appreciate A Meaningful Conversation With Everyone You Love
It is not always that you get to have a meaningful conversation with people dear to you. So when you get a chance, grab the opportunity and be real. Express your thoughts and feelings, and do not hold back. Allow yourself to feel more comfortable talking about things that scare and worry you. Have the courage to say what’s on your mind and let all the weighing emotions out. You must take a moment and appreciate your mental and emotional struggle, as well as the persons in front of you that are willing to listen.
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Avoid Faking Your Smile
Often, you find yourself worried, sad, and agitated at most times. That is because of the uncertainties you are dealing with every day. At the time, you have to put up a fake smile to convince yourself to get moving. But a forced smile can be toxic in some instances as it influences an emotional drain. Instead of making you feel better, it most likely can worsen your mood. Thus, it would be nice to let your emotions out and cry all you want. Yes, you might need to act in a certain way when the situation requires you to show a happy face. But you need to realize that it would be a genuine feeling to only smile when you feel happy.
Look Through The Positivity In Life
You know that having a positive attitude despite negative situations is difficult. It is easier said than done. However, when you manage to focus on the good things around you instead of constantly complaining about the negative ones, you will see a big difference in your approach. You will become more appreciative of the small things that you often do not notice around you. You will become more grateful for what you currently have. And despite not being able to live a perfect life, your positivity will bring you the type of happiness that can last a lifetime.
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Enjoy The Simplicity Of Things Around You
The greatest amount of happiness comes from the simplest moments and experiences in your life. Usually, you don’t realize it, but you know it makes you complete. That is because your focus stays where they are, and you naturally avoid overreacting to some of the things you can’t control. It can support better problem-solving skills and better decision-making ability. Enjoying life offers allows you to stay away from the mental and emotional clutter and gives you the freedom to learn and love yourself even more.
Hold On To Your Passion, It’s Always Worth It
The thing that can make you genuinely happy is doing things you are passionate about. That is because your happiness supports your overall function as you appreciate yourself, including your flaws and inabilities. Even if you feel physically tired and mentally exhausted, you will still appreciate your effort to try and give your best. Aside from that, when you focus on working on things that bring you so much joy, you wouldn’t feel pressured. With that, the tendency to improve your talents and skills will move forward to growth and better lasting mental and emotional results.
Learn To Give Back To Others
Help People Become Well
You might not know it but giving back is one way to improve your mental, emotional and physical health. That is because it supports overall happiness that not only you can benefit from, but others could gain as well. Giving back to people will give you a euphoric state that promotes a rewarding impact on your brain. That feeling can promise a lasting effect that supports the reduction of stress, anxiety, and depression. Giving back can bring you complete inner joy as it fosters social connection while improving your mental wellness.
Every individual’s emotions are complex. Each emotional health requires constant progress in which should provide individuals the ability to cope with stressors and life events that often influence negative emotions. Emotional health reflects on positivity. However, it does not mean that people are always happy all the time. Put it in a way that people are curious about their thoughts and feelings, as they actively engage with their habits and lifestyles. But how can you know if you are emotionally healthy? How can you identify whether you are fairly stable or not?
Few Signs That You Are Emotionally Healthy
You Keep In Touch With Emotions
There’s nothing wrong with keeping in touch with your emotions. It can be one of the best things you can do to acknowledge the behaviors accompanying the negative feelings. However, clinging too much to that negativity can confuse you, making you unable to identify and manage them. And as things become too overwhelming, you eventually get drawn to get upset with almost everything. Thus, you would know that you are emotionally healthy when you:
Don’t make a big deal out of everything
Do not overthink the situation
Try to be reasonable as possible
Relax and be mindful of the situation
Avoid negative self-talk
Emotionally Healthy People Bounce Back From Failure
There’s no certainty in life. And as much as you want to avoid it, you will experience failure like the rest of the people in the world. Failure can discourage you as it makes your goals seem out of reach. Failure can drive you to an emotional imbalance as the things around it works hand in hand with pressure, stress, expectations, and disappointments. It can make you believe that you can’t do it. But when you are emotionally healthy, you deal with failure differently as you:
Focus on the things you can control
Reevaluate the situation before acting upon it
Put in more effort and not sour grape about the situation
Plan and Try different approaches
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Emotionally Healthy People Adapt To Situations
Believing that everything genuinely happens for a reason is not a bad thing. In fact, when you hold onto that idea, it can make you feel less guilty about your decisions in life. However, you shouldn’t use it as an excuse and convince yourself that it is okay to cling to negative emotions. Instead, use your emotional strength to allow you to maintain a positive preview of the things around you. It would be emotionally healthy to believe in it because that belief can help you:
Get through and adapt to situations
Appreciate what you gain than what you lost
Allow you to recognize your emotional weaknesses
Determine the cause of your stressed, anxious, and depressed behaviors
You Like Yourself For Who You Are
When you are emotionally healthy, you appreciate yourself more, even in the worst moments. That is also a good sign of mental stability. But note that liking yourself does not mean you do not acknowledge the bad things about you, but it simply implies you are putting more effort into accepting your flaws rather than overthinking about them. Liking yourself means you aim for growth and development and not just stick around with positive compliments. Thus, you can say that you are emotionally healthy when you:
Avoid negative thoughts
Don’t self-criticize
Exercise self-compassion
Don’t self-sabotage
Emotionally Healthy People Look At The Bigger Picture
Your every decision can cause either positive or negative reactions or consequences. With that, you understand that the only way you can get through the struggles in life is to look at things differently. Though sometimes, it can be difficult. But it would be best if you get your facts about a situation. Understand the possible effects of your emotions on other things, not to end up just thinking and not doing anything. You will soon realize that you are emotionally healthy because:
You can navigate through the difficulty of the problem
You can see a different viewpoint of the entire situation
You get an immediate grasp of what you can and can’t control
You realize the importance of taking action one at a time
You solve problems based on mental and emotional intelligence
You stay with a positive attitude no matter what
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Takeaway on Becoming Emotionally Healthy
You must practice self-reflection to incite struggles and higher self-awareness of your mental and emotional health. Be critical and honest about how you feel. Consider pausing for a while and thinking through things to know how your actions and decisions will affect your present and future. Be resilient and develop a realistic plan that can carry you through tough times. Because in some unfortunate instances, you won’t be able to handle your emotional strength, especially when life brings you too much pain. Remember to trust yourself and the process of becoming emotionally healthy because you deserve better.
There is nothing wrong with stress, as I may point it out. Stress is a good thing because it keeps you pumping. It allows you to get things done, help with your mental alertness, and even make you understand your best life decisions. So why do most people see it differently than I do? Well, I learned things the hard way. Because as much I want to look at stress positively, there are still moments in my life that I hate everything about it.
Most times, I just need to calm down and relax for a little bit when I am stressed out. That is how I get rid of my unwanted anxiousness. I can say I am pretty much good at that coping strategy as it immediately helps me get back on my senses. However, I still feel emotionally and mentally exhausted when dealing with stress, especially when it is the holiday season. Yes, holidays make me feel like I am about to lose myself due to the many things I need to worry about.
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So you think that holidays are all about relaxation? Well, hell no! Holidays are about pressure, expectations, and unlimited errands. You might disagree with me on this, but I certainly know that at the back of your mind, you are also having second thoughts on how you realistically picture holiday seasons. To make things clear for you and save you from confusion, here are the frequently asked questions about holiday depression that might interest you to know.
What is the most depressing Holiday?
The most depressing Holiday is called Blue Monday. It is the name given to a day in January, typically the third Monday of the month. The concept of Blue Monday was first published in a 2005 press release from a certain company, which claimed to have premeditated the probability using a reliable “equation.”
How do holidays affect mental health?
Holidays are the most fun and exciting moment for most people. However, 24% of these individuals living with a mental illness insist that the holidays make their health symptoms a lot worse as specific things in the holidays add feelings of sadness and dissatisfaction. All the pressure of preparation, planning, financial state, and relationship issues makes it harder for individuals to stay well.
What causes holiday stress?
Holiday stress is very common to people, especially those exposed and fond of social gatherings and preparations. There is the constant requirement to attend every party, the pressure of always trying to please everyone, cramming of buying things at the last minute, the struggle in finding the right place to spend with, and a lot more. And when you add the travel, financial burden, and visiting family members, stress can start to pile up all of a sudden.
How do you beat the Christmas blues?
Holidays are not that exciting and fun. There are things involved in it that can cause too much stress and anxiety. To beat that pressure, you have to start with a concrete plan for your Holiday. Remember not to exert too much effort to avoid sudden disappointments. Be brave to handle all your fears and accept that things sometimes do not go on your way. Get active, watch what you eat, always stay positive, be self-less, and perk up your social life.
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How do I deal with holiday anxiety?
Coping with holiday stress can be a lot harder than you think. But do not worry. There are ways you can manage those unwanted holiday anxiety. Focus on your health first. Exercise and eat a well-balanced diet. Holiday preparations can be extremely toxic, so make sure you get enough rest from time to time. It would be the best opportunity to consider visiting some of your friends and relatives and spend time with them. Use the calendar to plan specific days for certain activities such as baking, cooking, shopping, and visiting friends. But of course, be realistic with your budget.
How do you survive the mental holidays?
To survive the Holiday with your mental health still intact, you need to consider certain things. First, acknowledge your feelings. If you are exhausted and tired, rest for a while. Do not put too much pressure on things that are not that important. Stick to a budget. Do not force yourself to buy things you don’t necessarily need for the holidays. Always learn to say no when it comes to damaging routines such as binge drinking or eating. Do not abandon your healthy habits for the sake of a one-time celebration. If things get out of control, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
What is Holiday blue?
Holiday Blue refers to the strong feelings of sadness and loneliness throughout the holiday season, typically during November and December. Mental health issues such as depression hit hard after a period of intense emotion and stress. Often, it gets misinterpreted as exhaustion. However, it manifests the same characteristic symptoms of an anxiety or mood disorder such as low-energy, insomnia, difficulty concentrating, irritability, and anxiousness.
Why is it essential to prioritize your mental health during the holidays?
You can do exciting things during the Holiday, and often it can make you feel out of control. So to balance things out, you need to prioritize your mental health to avoid further complications. It would be best to encourage overall health and wellness to maintain a work-life balance. Take advantage of your simple choices and always stick with what’s beneficial for your health.
How can I relax during the holidays?
Holidays can be very stressful and toxic. To relax during these days, start with solitude. You can breathe, reframe, and redirect your negative energy to the positive one. You can interact with your family and friends that you haven’t seen in a while and get in touch with them and listen to the changes in their lives. Make the holidays a time to strengthen relationships. Go outside, practice intentional gratitude, and reflect.
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Final Thoughts
Holidays are still great, do not get me wrong. I am not trying to ruin your outlook over one of the most enjoyable moments in your life. But let’s be honest here. For some people who have many things to do during the holiday season, stress is inevitable. And sometimes, due to certain expectations and failed attemptsto make things work, the whole enthusiasm can runoff. Therefore we can conclude that even the most loved holiday season is not exempted from a messy and stressful situation.
Some events in our lives like work stress, breakups, and deaths make us feel anxious and down. For some people, these emotions are temporary; they may bounce back days after the incident. However, some get stuck in the negative emotion and find it hard to move on. Over time they get consumed by these thoughts and beliefs until it takes over their lives and relationships with other people.
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Feeling an unexplained sadness that affects daily life can be a sign of anxiety and depression. These conditions may sound grim and hopeless, but several treatment methods can help ease such situations.
Medication can help improve mood, while therapy can help in understanding the condition. Therapists can also help develop healthy coping habits when triggers are present.
Anxiety and depression are not the only emotions that warrant a visit to a psychotherapist. Even irrational fear, or phobia, will benefit from therapy, especially if it affects your health and daily functions. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and exposure therapy are the main types of treatment that help people with this condition.
Therapy can also improve the outcomes of people with schizophrenia, personality disorders, and dissociative disorders. A psychologist can help deal with addiction, sleeping problems, and eating problems. They may also use other psychodynamic and humanistic therapy techniques to improve their thoughts and behavior better.
There are several types of therapy, but the main differences are focus, philosophy, and techniques. For example, psychodynamic therapy focuses on the unconscious and motivation. Meanwhile, humanistic therapy emphasizes developing the individual’s maximum potential.
Are you researching the different types of therapy? Listed here are frequently asked questions to help you become familiar with the different types of psychological treatment and how these can help you.
What are the 3 types of therapy?
The three types of therapy include psychodynamic, which focuses on an individual’s emotional and thinking capacities. Behavioral therapy is working more on the actions and behaviors affecting someone’s life. Humanistic therapy aims to understand how the environment surrounding the patient may affect the psychological well-being.
What does a psychological therapist do?
A psychological therapist, more often called a psychotherapist, is a licensed medical practitioner. They are certified and specialized in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating mental health problems, specifically therapy. They may recommend one or a combination of the many therapy types to address the patient’s condition.
What are the 4 types of talk therapy?
Talk therapy refers to a type of therapy where the patient sits comfortably and shares a mental health professional conversation. The four most common types of talk therapy are cognitive-behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, counseling, and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy.
What is the most effective psychological therapy?
When it comes to the most effective psychological therapy, there is not a single type that physicians, researchers, and other medical professionals would recommend. The effectiveness of therapy varies for every individual. However, numerous studies have shown that among the most common therapy types, cognitive-behavioral therapy, or CBT, has the most efficacy in treating mental illnesses over the years.
What is the most common therapy?
Among the three types of therapy, there is a close match between psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral therapy being the most commonly used treatment option. Psychodynamic therapy allows the therapy sessions to be person-centered, focusing on exploring someone’s thoughts and feelings. On the other hand, cognitive-behavior therapy shifts the focus on the individual’s actions affected by disturbing thoughts.
What is the difference between therapy and counseling?
While therapy and counseling share a common goal to treat a person’s problem, specifically a psychological one, these two have some differences. Therapy is usually a long-term treatment option, while counseling only lasts several weeks to a few months.
Counselling also often only targets one specific problem at a time, for example, alcohol abuse. Meanwhile, therapy is much more flexible and digs more in-depth to know more about the patient’s condition.
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Do therapists diagnose?
As long as the therapists are licensed and certified, they can make a diagnosis and an assessment. However, they cannot prescribe any medications unless they have taken additional years of specialized training or education.
What can I expect from therapy for anxiety?
People who are thinking of undergoing therapy for anxiety expect that your therapist may also ask you to see a psychiatrist for medications. The goal of anxiety therapies is to help the patient understand the triggers of worries and what to do when that happens. So you can also expect that some of these therapies may expose you to anxiety-inducing situations and other activities.
What happens in a psychology session?
Psychology sessions may seem challenging, especially for first-timers. These sessions usually last an hour maximum but can be shorter or longer, depending on the patient’s need. Generally, your psychologist or therapist will ask you questions, some of which may feel like probing into your personal life but are essential.
How effective is psychological therapy?
The effectiveness of psychological therapy differs in each patient. However, research has found that psychological therapy as a treatment option immensely helps treat many mental disorders such as depression, anxiety, and other mood problems. Psychotherapy is recommended as it has fewer side effects and is more cost-effective in the long run compared to medication management.
What type of therapy is best for trauma?
For trauma-related psychological problems, the combination of pharmacotherapy or medication management and behavior therapy is found to work well for the condition. These two types of therapy are usually used for conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.
What type of psychotherapy is best for anxiety?
Anxiety disorders are one of the most common psychological conditions many people suffer from today. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT is the most common form of psychotherapy used to treat the disorder. Research suggests that it is also the best form because it also treats panic, fear, and worries.
How do I choose a good therapist?
Choosing a good therapist is a crucial part of therapy. You may start by going to a family doctor and asking for recommendations. You may also do some research online. You have to make sure that your therapist is licensed and certified. It will also be great to find someone who is specialized or an expert in your area of the problem.
What is an example of psychotherapy?
Psychotherapy is an umbrella term for all therapy types that discuss your mental problems with psychologists, psychiatrists, therapists, or other mental health practitioners. An example of psychotherapy is cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT.
What type of therapy is best for dissociative identity disorder?
Like mentioned before, there is no single best therapy type, generally speaking. The type of therapy, especially for dissociative identity disorder, will depend on the condition’s progression. The treatment approach can range from psychodynamics, cognitive-behavioral therapy, family therapy, and creative therapy, including art or music therapy and even pharmacotherapy.
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Emotional and mental health disorders severely impact the quality of your life. It takes away the joy from things you love, and it affects your relationship with other people. So if you notice the symptoms of these debilitating conditions, don’t lose hope because there are treatments available.
Therapy significantly improves thoughts and behaviors. In particular, the therapist can help identify where those triggering emotions come from. Sometimes, knowing its root cause can help you control your situation and how you react to them.
Moreover, the therapist can teach safe coping mechanisms to better deal with the situation. They can also help you identify your behavior patterns and make you more aware of how you interact with others.
Getting help also minimizes the risk for life-threatening complications that arise from your negative emotions. For example, fear of food or addiction impacts your physical health.
Meanwhile, bad thoughts may push you to try to hurt yourself. Once you begin to notice these unusual symptoms arise, it is best to look for a therapist that can help you. If you are scared to go on your own, ask someone, you trust to go with you on your first visit.
While therapy is often associated with mental health problems, it can also help with stress and emotional management. Additionally, seeking professional help may also strengthen your relationship with other people.
Lastly, always remember that help is available when you need it. Do not lose hope. You can and will get better, and a therapist can help you get there.
I was planning my annual Spring party when my best friend called and told me that the local government prohibited mass gatherings. When I asked why, she said, “The coronavirus has been spreading rapidly. There are already 200 confirmed cases in this city, and the number is still rising.”
I did not have time to process the situation because we had to go under full lockdown at once. I thought it would end after 30 days, but boy, I was wrong. Hence, here’s how the COVID-19 outbreak affected my mental health.
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I Became Paranoid
Before the pandemic, my friends used to say that I could win Ms. Congeniality easily. That’s because I always greeted everyone I met and even treated strangers as if we had known each other for years. As my parents taught me, I had to be gracious to others to receive graciousness as well.
However, paranoia reigned over me from the moment that I learned about the incurable coronavirus. For instance, I tried going to the supermarket while wearing a PPE, but I could not push myself to step on the ground when I saw five other customers in the store. I was lucky that local stores offered home delivery, but I might have starved a couple of times because I was scared of picking up the groceries outside my door until I was sure that 24 hours already passed.
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I Wanted To Stay Isolated Forever
It only took two full months before the city government announced that we could mingle with people again, as long as we were wearing a mask and practicing social distancing. I got calls from my parents and friends soon after, asking when I would host a party. They had always known that I loved organizing social gatherings, so they thought I would jump at this opportunity to do that.
But that’s where my loved ones were wrong. I honestly told them that I did not feel safe to let anyone in my house while the coronavirus was still lurking. After all, I had no way of knowing who they came across before reaching my place or where they had been in the last 14 days.
This news shocked everyone, especially Mom and Dad. They said they missed me badly, and the feeling was mutual, but I was genuinely ready to stay alone forever, considering it meant that I would not catch the virus.
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I Felt Depressed
Of course, depression began to seep in my veins soon enough. Even though I had a firm resolve to avoid my loved ones for a while, I was unhappy about it. I was the most productive while working with the people I cared about; not being around them for God only knew how long it was draining my life force.
Some days, all I wanted to do was sleep. Other days, I could not even close my eyes. I also lost some weight because I felt too tired to prepare my meals three times a day. There was a time when I started wondering, “What’s the point of trying to live when you see nothing but the four walls of the house every day?”
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I Began To Wonder If This Was The End
My outlook did not improve when I heard that parks, malls, and other public places already reopened. In truth, I felt more scared than ever as I imagined how fast virus transmission could happen there. While the people kept a distance from each other, there were still elevator buttons to push, escalator or stair handles to hold on to, and chairs and tables to get your hands on. If an asymptomatic individual touched any of them, it would undoubtedly not take long before other people ended up testing positive for the coronavirus.
As I was thinking of that, I wondered if this was what the Doomsday would look like. I used to laugh at conspiracy theories like that in the past, but what if the theorists had valid reasons to believe it could happen? The thought kept swirling in my head, making me feel crazier than ever.
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What To Do
Hope came back to me when I found out that some vaccines would soon be distributed worldwide. If people got vaccinated, they could not possibly contract the coronavirus and transmit it to others. Then, I would not need to worry about having COVID-19 and being unable to beat it.
While waiting for the vaccine, I decided to look after my mental health. I contacted a licensed therapist and asked if he could squeeze me in his schedule. The therapy session took place online, of course, so I did not have to meet him in person.
I had been told that experiencing depression and paranoia, among other things, was understandable while facing a global health crisis. Still, the therapist said that I made the right call when I asked for mental help because the conditions might have aggravated. Otherwise, I might not be around to get that vaccine anymore.
Family wellness is a condition of positive communication with all members of the family for them to be happy and achieve social, physical, and mental well-being. However, each family is different in relation to the level of their well-being. Some families are highly effective in some aspects and might feel more challenged in other aspects.
Below are several strategies that you can follow to achieve optimal wellness in your family.
Set aside time for your family.
Prioritize family by spending quality time with them and giving each of them a chance to be heard in terms of decision making or agreeing with an activity. This will keep all family members involved and maintain the closeness. You can also cook together and designate a chore that they can do in the kitchen, like who prepares the meals or who cooks the food. In the evenings, you can practice a habit of gathering in the living and playing cards or watching a family movie. Whatever it is, make it fun and meaningful.
In school, participate in parent-teacher conferences or volunteer to help in school activities. This will certainly strengthen your connection with your family, enhance your wellness, and foster close ties with your community.
House chores, on the other hand, are a great way of improving your relationship with each member of your family. You can do the dishwashing together with your daughter, and your son can help arrange and clean the kitchen and living room. Teach them the value of sharing responsibilities and helping each other to attain your goals faster. If you have a few minutes to spare, always cuddle with your kids before they go to bed. Read them a story or lie beside them so that they can feel your love and affection before they close their eyes.
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Learn efficient communication skills.
Instill in your family the value of respect for each other. Once a member states an opinion, please do not ignore it. Rather, listen to it and weigh the matter first before deciding to agree or refute. Encourage everyone to speak for themselves and do not interrupt them when they are talking. Maintaining a respectful and open communication with your family helps create trust and strengthens your bonds with each other.
As for the children, they, too, have a voice that needs to be heard, so do not make fun of them when they try to express how they feel. Instead, listen to them. It may just be because of a petty fight with their sibling or outrage of frustration because they do not understand their lesson. Be their source of comfort. Tell them softly not to fight with each other and remind them of your rules in the house. Encourage them to ask for help and support and be there when they need it.
Prioritize your family’s health.
Making sure that your family is healthy should be one of your top-most priorities—schedule annual checkups for you and your spouse, and your kids’ visits to their pediatricians. Dental checkups are also important. When these appointments are made regularly, your doctor will be able to care for your family efficiently and appropriately. Your family’s health and safety are key to their wellness as well. When everyone is healthy, everyone is happy.
Dealing With Conflicts As Parents
To maintain family wellness, try to be as consistent as you can in your role as parents. This means that when you have misunderstandings or disagreements, you always think of protecting your children. Discuss your issues in closed doors and, as much as possible, talk gently with each other. If any of your children break your house rules, on the other hand, explain to them why there is a consequence so they can understand and learn from their mistakes. Consequences are essential to keep the discipline in the home. Ultimately, this is a way of letting them know that despite the connections and the freedom of expression, as parents, you are figures of authority that keep the peace and harmony in the family. They may not be able to understand this completely, but eventually, they will thank you for strengthening them and helping them practice the values of patience, commitment, and discipline.
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Dealing With Conflicts As Children
Honor your parents’ need to keep you safe and secure. That is their responsibility. Also, through these safeguards, you will learn the necessary tools and strategies that you will need when you go into your adulthood. If you have a quarrel with your brother or sister, look for ways to be friends again. Remember that in the long run, you are siblings and will always be family. You should stand by each other and protect one another, rather than be against each other.
Conclusion
Keeping or enhancing family wellness will empower your family and keep the love and connection strong, resilient, and long-lasting.
We can’t help but care too much about stuff going on lately, especially during this pandemic. That explains why we often experience stress and anxiety. We overthink the things we can’t control because we are afraid of the uncertainties of the future. Sometimes, we feel that we are continually drowning with all the struggles we are facing, such as family, health and safety issues, financial matters, as well as our emotional and mental health. So to keep ourselves stable, here are some of the ways we can detoxify our emotional well-being.
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The Benefits Of A Home Makeover
We understand that familiarity is something that gives us comfort. That is why we tend to stick to the things around us often because we feel safe and contented. But sometimes, when we are too familiar with something, we get stagnant. We experience an emotional burden that prevents us from feeling excited, motivated, and happy. So to ease that emotional struggle, a home makeover can be a great option. Since we are at home quarantine, it will give us this feeling of changing our comfort zone’s vibe. We’ll be surprised how changing the wall paint, decorating, and arranging stuff, and planting can brighten our mood. Besides, our home should be a safe space that helps us unwind. Thus, we need to get creative with remodeling it.
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Appreciate The Little Things Around Us
Who says emotional detoxification should be expensive? Inevitably, we often ignore a lot of beautiful things in life due to our endless worry and concern about infectious disease. Perhaps we feel that things are not the same anymore. But that shouldn’t have to be a problem. There are a lot of beautiful things around us that we have to be thankful for. And just by being with the presence of something beautiful can make us feel entirely connected to our emotions. We can enjoy watching the stars at night, listening to the birds’ sound, feeling the breeze of the air, and so on. We can even thank those who are with us in time of this pandemic, especially when we find ourselves battling with stress. Remember, there is no such thing as a boring life.
Source: pexels.com
Change In Perspective Through Journaling
When our lives feel a little bit messy because of the adjustments we can’t seem to manage, we can always find time to reflect on it. The best way we can hang on with those unwanted emotions is by writing it in a notebook. It might seem to sound a cliché, but it entirely helps a lot in bringing those resolutions altogether. Journaling promotes mental and emotional balance by allowing us to become aware of the feelings we experience at a particular moment. And once we get in touch with that emotional struggle, our notes can tell us that we can do something to change it. Journaling allows us to look forward to a better future. It reminds us never to forget that even after bad times, tomorrow is always another day.
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Talk To People
Understandably, we have to follow social distancing. Thus, we are not allowed to get up close to other people and some friends. But that does not mean we can’t socialize with them at all. We can make use of technology to get in touch and talk to them from time to time. There are chat, text, video, and phone calls to choose from. We have to secure our emotional health by letting the ones we care about how we feel during this time. Yes, they may not be able to help us personally, but they can always guarantee us emotional safety.
There were several points discussed at the 2019 Rural Health Conference. Managing rural healthcare facilities was one of the important topics, and the speaker talked about healthcare regulations and how to protect these facilities from water and pathogen infection. There were various presentations, poster sessions, and workshops from rural health professionals and their teams. Exhibitors also graced the event with their innovative products, services, and resources. The addition of more rural health clinics was also an important topic discussed.
What are rural health clinics?
These are clinics built to increase the availability of healthcare services in rural communities. A rural health clinic can profit, non-profit, or public. The clinic requires that a team approach must be utilized, meaning that there should be an attending physician, nurse practitioners, qualified midwives, and physician assistants – and they must be 50% staffed all the time. The RHC is also required to provide basic lab services and outpatient medical care services.
What are some things to consider prior to becoming an RHC?
It might be helpful to complete a financial assessment to see if becoming a legit RHC is a possible option. this will depend on the various services and payers provided. Sometimes, Medicaid provider options are better in RHCs. When assessing for financial feasibility, look at the bigger financial picture instead of the individual patient visits.
Source: africom.mil
What is the difference between an independent RHC and a provider-based RHC?
An independent RHC is owned by a private entity and is a free-standing facility. It can be operated by a bigger healthcare system but has not qualified or have not applied for provider-based status. Over 50% of independent RHCs are owned and operated by clinicians.
A provider-based RHC, on the other hand, is connected to or part of a nursing home, home health agency, or a hospital that currently participates in the Medicare program. This type of facility operates under the professional supervision of that particular organization. Most provider-based RHCs are owned by hospitals.
The spread of the Coronavirus is rampant in every country’s communities. The disease spread mainly from one person to another through respiratory droplets where the virus gets produced from a person’s cough and sneeze. The droplets can spread through the nose, mouth, or hand of people who are nearby the carrier. It can be inhaled directly into the lungs due to its remaining particles in the air near the infected individual. Since there is no cure for the disease yet, it is essential to take steps in lowering the risk of the Coronavirus infection.
Here Are Some Things You Should Do
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Wash Your Hands Often – Washing your hands is always one of the best ways to lower down the risk of getting any kind of disease. For the Coronavirus, it is a preventive measure that not only ensures clean hands but also keeps the most active part of the body safe from germs. But note, you should rub your hands together for at least 20 seconds. You must use soap to remove the stuck up particles in your hands, then rinse it with water thoroughly. You can also use hand sanitizers in case there is no soap and water available. But be sure that the sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol in it.
Source: pxfuel.com
Cover Your Mouth – Be mindful to cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough and sneezes. If you don’t have one with you, use the inside of your elbow if you can manage to. For the face mask, only wear it if you are sick and around other people, especially the elderly. But you can also cover your mouth with a mask if you need to help and take care of someone who is sick. Also, try to learn the proper wearing of the surgical mask as it is essential to understand its function in reducing the risk of the disease.
Source: pxfuel.com
Clean And Disinfect – Always prioritize cleaning and disinfecting all the surfaces that get touched frequently. Use a disinfectant that kills germs, even the smallest ones. If cleaning and disinfecting take up a lot of your time, you can also consider limiting your access to a particular spot or item. This way, you can only focus on cleaning the important locations and things in the house. But remember, be sure to clean and disinfect the ones you are not going to use before you keep it away. It best to be safe than sorry.
Practice Physical Distancing – It might be too difficult to distance yourself from another person, but taking extra time to put effort into avoiding physical contact can go a long way. You should avoid close contact with individuals who are experiencing symptoms of the disease. When you get exposed to a carrier, immediately quarantine and observe yourself for possible signs of infection. If you think you have the disease, if possible, schedule a test in the nearest hospital.
Source: peakpx.com
Follow Home Quarantine Protocols – It is significant to understand the value of home quarantine in a pandemic situation like this. That is if you are sick and not sure if you are a Coronavirus carrier. Do not roam around the streets or get close to the people in your house since the possibility of you infecting others is alarming. Only allow yourself to go outside with the exemption of seeking immediate medical care. Be responsible and discipline yourself to follow safety measures.
If you experience any signs and symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, immediately consult a health care provider. That way, you can get additional steps to protect yourself from getting worse, and your loved ones from getting infected.
