Page 5«..4567..1020..»

Archive for the ‘Self-Help’ Category

Cocke and Fink: Community organizations work best – Roanoke Times

Posted: January 3, 2021 at 12:53 pm


without comments

Bill Meade performing in the he March 2020 performance of Roadside Theaters play The Future of Letcher County at the Arch Social Club in Baltimore.

Dudley Cocke and Ben Fink

In a Kentucky coalfield county that twice gave Trump 79% of its vote, volunteer fire chief Bill Meade is known as a particularly outspoken Trump supporter. When we invited him to meet with grassroots leaders at the oldest African American social organization in Baltimore, some people got nervous. But when Bill walked in the front door and saw the Narcan the same medicine he and his fellow firefighters use to treat opioid overdoses back home he knew he was on friendly ground. His hosts seemed to feel the same: after watching him perform in an original play about his neighbors struggle to survive the collapse of the coal industry, one of them commented: We didnt know white people had those problems, too.

As we enter a dangerous moment in our national life, where a new president will try to bring us back together even as many of our communities are falling apart, these are the kind of connections we need. Weve been part of making them happen on a small scale in communities across the country. With the right investment, they could be happening everywhere.

The key to our approach is recognizing that every community has its own centers of power, like Bills volunteer firehouse in East Kentucky and the Arch Social Club in West Baltimore. These are organizations of, by, and for their communities: the local businesses, cultural centers, churches, and other spots where neighbors gather to support the place they live and the people they love. We partner with these organizations and their grassroots leaders to create opportunities for their community to celebrate its inherent spiritual, intellectual, and emotional genius.

See the article here:
Cocke and Fink: Community organizations work best - Roanoke Times

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

10 Books To Help You Reach Your Potential In The New Year – Patch.com

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

Once the confetti has been thrown and "Auld Lang Syne" has been belted out a few times, the new year serves as a great time to refresh your goals or create a whole new set of them. But if you're in need of a little extra motivation as you work on your new you for the new year, not to worry: We've rounded up some of the best self-help and motivational books so you can power through 2021.

Whether you're trying to shed a few pounds or land the job of your dreams, you're sure to find a welcome dose of motivation in the books ahead.

This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, Patch may earn a small commission.

In her New York Times bestselling book, Glennon Doyle urges readers to trust their inner voice and leave others' expectations at the door. In addition to accolades from the New York Times, "Untamed" has also received rave reviews from The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan and O: The Oprah Magazine.

Buy It Here

"The Self-Care Prescription" encourages readers to rid themselves of unwanted anxiety, stress and other negative thoughts by finding balance and purpose in relationships, work and life. Flipping through the pages of this self-help book will leave readers equipped with self-care 101, a full-spectrum plan and the best life strategies.

Buy It Here

With training as a Navy SEAL, Army Ranger and Air Force Tactical Air Controller, David Goggins is well-versed in self-discipline. And in "Can't Hurt Me," the endurance athlete-turned-author doles out stories on self-discipline, mental toughness and hard work.

Buy It Here

An Instagram guru with well over half a million followers, Vex King brings nothing but positive vibes to "Good Vibes, Good Life." In his 300-page work, King stresses the importance of changing the way you think, feel, speak and act in order to change the world.

Buy It Here

Another New York Times bestseller, "Get Out of Your Head" challenges readers to quite literally get out of their heads to break away from the destructive thoughts that sometimes live there. In her book, Jennie Allen details the ways in which she fought her way through toxic thinking.

Buy It Here

"Atomic Habits" is one motivational read that benefits from the expertise of James Clear, an actual expert on habit formation. Clear uses his know-how to teach readers ways to overcome lack of motivation, make time for new habits and more.

Buy It Here

"The Four Agreements" uniquely calls upon ancient Toltec wisdom to help readers attain enlightenment and freedom. A staple in the self-help realm, Don Miguel Ruiz's work has received praise from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and Deepak Chopra.

Buy It Here

Related Links:

All prices and savings listed in this post are as of publication and could change. Patch may earn a commission on some purchased items.

Replies have been disabled on this article.

The rest is here:
10 Books To Help You Reach Your Potential In The New Year - Patch.com

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Hoarding workshop – there is HELP available | Missoula, MT – Patch.com

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

This post was contributed by a community member.

BURIED IN TREASURES WORKSHOP - A Group to Address Hoarding Behavior

The Buried in Treasures Workshop is about more than clutter...

Overcoming challenges Increasing motivation Reducing acquiring Prioritizing and celebrating choices

Self-Help & Empowerment For Finders and Keepers

Is clutter getting in the way of how you want to live your life?Are you feeling overwhelmed with too many possessions?Are you embarrassed to have people over?

This program offers a 16-week course that is based on the book Buried In Treasures. Join us for this group created by and for people who are ready to live a less - cluttered life!

The Buried in Treasures group is for people who would like to learn tips on how to de-clutter and stop over-acquiring with people who know what its like. Each week we will have a discussion around a specific skill, followed by the completion of challenging and rewarding exercises. Individual progress, challenges, successes, and goals are also monitored throughout the sixteen weeks.

Participants are expected to commit to attending all the sessions as well as to participate actively.

A Buried in Treasures Group is forming at:

**** a VIRTUAL CLASS is forming....

>>> next class starts mid-February 2021 - EARLY REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED

**** Registration is required (must be enrolled by 2/3/21)

Please email for more information. There is a fee for the class.

Sessions start: ASK FOR NEXT CLASS STARTING DATE/TIME >>> a WAITING LIST has been started - Register Today !

This group offers a judgment-free environment for people ready to make a change in their life.

Registration required. Call or email for more information.

(440) 666 9326 or

**** Virtual Class available Conference Style by phone and/or computer - call /email for Starting Date / Time

*** ANYONE - ANYWHERE can join the Virtual Class

Originally posted here:
Hoarding workshop - there is HELP available | Missoula, MT - Patch.com

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Names and faces – Arkansas Online

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

Pope Francis ushered in the New Year on Friday with a traditional Angelus blessing from the papal library, pushing through nerve pain that forced him to skip New Year's ceremonies in St. Peter's Basilica. The pope appeared relaxed as he stood at a lectern in the Apostolic Palace wishing the faithful watching via video "a year of peace, a year of hope." He smiled into the camera as he repeated his customary sign-off, "don't forget to pray for me," and wishing everyone "a good lunch." The papal blessing was moved inside from the usual perch at a window overlooking St. Peter's Square to discourage crowds as Italy is living under tighter covid-19 restrictions this year. The Vatican on Friday announced that the pope would not preside over a New Year's Eve prayer service nor the New Year's Day Mass in St. Peter's Basilica because of "painful sciatica." In his Angelus blessing, the pope said "the pandemic taught us how much it is necessary to take interest in others' problems and to share their concerns." In a similar vein, in a homily prepared for delivery by the pope but instead read by his secretary of state earlier Saturday, Francis wrote that there is need of a "vaccine for the heart. This vaccine is the cure. It will be a good year if we take care of others." At the conclusion of the Angelus, the pope called for peace in Yemen, where children are living "without education, without medicine, hungry," and for the release of the Rev. Moses Chikwe, a Nigerian bishop who was kidnapped Sunday by gunmen.

Chrissy Teigen, who has recently been vocal about her sobriety, has taken to social media to explain her decision to quit drinking. In an Instagram post, the model and cookbook author recommended Holly Whitaker's self-help book, "Quit Like a Woman: The Radical Choice to Not Drink in a Culture Obsessed With Alcohol," and opened up about her past drinking habits. In December, in a video showing off some sparkly makeup accessories and matching Christmas-light headbands with her and John Legend's daughter, Luna, Teigen briefly mentioned that she had stopped drinking. "I was done with making an a * * of myself in front of people (I'm still embarrassed), tired of day drinking and feeling like s * * * by 6, not being able to sleep. I have been sober ever since and even if you can't see yourself doing it or just plain don't want to, it is still an incredible read." The "Cravings" author, who is known for documenting online much of her life, has been especially open this year about her struggles. In September, Teigen, 35, revealed she had endured a pregnancy loss in a heartbreaking post that captured the attention and admiration of many, who applauded her for confronting the stigma surrounding pregnancy complications.

Chrissy Teigen arrives at the Oscars on Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. (Photo by Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP)

Here is the original post:
Names and faces - Arkansas Online

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

The Boston Heralds Top 20 stories of 2020 – Boston Herald

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

The unread story is worthless until the reader gives it life, to paraphrase science fiction writer Ursula K. Le Guin.

The author of the Left Hand of Darkness and so many more is right. Herald readers give us life. You push us to dig deeper and tell it like it is. As one of our old billboards once read, If you want it sugar coated, buy a donut.

Heres what you read the most in 2020, based on page views. Its an inexact metric, but I think youll see a trend: your favorites arent glazed, frosted or sprinkled with jimmies:

1.) Tom Brady-Bill Belichick phone call didnt go well: The coach and the QB have finally spoken, Herald NFL columnist Karen Guregian reported in early March. Their conversation about Bradys pending free agency didnt go well, per a source. Id say.

2.) Vitamin D can help reduce coronavirus risk by 54%: BU doctor says: This one is still soaring. Our health reporter Alexi Cohan dug up this medical self-help bulletin. We all want to avoid COVID-19 like the plague, isnt that the truth. This doc swears by vitamin D.

3.) Coronavirus masks: Whats the difference between N95 and KN95?: Another example of the Herald digging for answers when you need them fast. Multimedia reporter Meghan Ottolini has the answer. (Hint: N95s are better, but Id take either one.)

4.) Patriots trade Rob Gronkowski to Buccaneers for 4th-round pick: Lets be honest Brady and Gronk is synonymous with John and Yoko, Meghan and Harry, Beyonce and Jay Z. The Bucs made the playoffs, the Patriots didnt. Here Karen Guregian had the scoop, again.

5.) Herald editorials hit a nerve: Disinformation from Adam Schiff and the media damaged America (Russian collusion) and Herald endorses President Trump both filled up our inbox.

6.) Noreaster could slam Massachusetts, dumping more than a foot: Nothing like a December blizzard during a pandemic to get some attention. Reporter Rick Sobey warned an unseasonably balmy weekend would soon be flipped.

7.) When will we find out the presidential election results?: Election Day turned into Election Week then Election Month and reporters Lisa Kashinsky and Sean Philip Cotter had it covered. Its not official until this Wednesday, Jan. 6.

8.) UMass Boston student first confirmed case of coronavirus in Massachusetts: I wish I never had to co-write this one. But a student back from Wuhan, China, came down with coronavirus. That was Feb. 1. You know the rest.

9.) Columnist Howie Carrs one-two punch: Howie hit on two viral columns on how Joe Biden continues to lose his notes and mind, and Charlie Baker cant admit he blew it over deaths at nursing homes.

10). NASA: Massive asteroid close call due Saturday, but wont be hitting Earth: If it was going to happen, this would have been the year. Reporter Sean Philip Cotter got our attention with this one.

11.) Trust the man, Joe Biden is going to beat Joe Biden: Howie Carr strikes again with these: Live, from the basement, its Joe Biden and Its a crime you havent heard about Hunter Biden.

12.) Charlie Baker issues Massachusetts stay-at-home advisory, business curfews, mask mandate: Our new normal and reporter Erin Tiernan had it covered.

13.) Sick passenger taken off Beijing-Boston flight at Logan Airport, refuses transport: I co-authored this Jan. 29. If only we could go back in time.

14.) 14 states side with New Hampshire in tax suit against Massachusetts: Wait until taxes are due. Reporter Sean Philip Cotter has the early warning.

15.) Could Tom Brady and Jimmy Garoppolo trade places? Dont discount the 49ers buzz: It fizzled, but Karen Guregian had fun with this anyway.

16.) President Trump ordered the strike, and came down to dinner cool, collected: Scenes from Mar-a-Lago by Howie Carr.

17.) Trump signs coronavirus relief bill, still pushes for $2,000 stimulus checks: Reporter Rick Sobey had all the details others were slow to report.

18.) Fear and loathing in the Biden Crime Family: Count on Howie Carr to keep an eye on Biden and Co.

19.) Poll: Who do you think won the first 2020 presidential debate?: This took off like a rocket. Guess who you voted for?

20.) Americans would get two checks under proposed coronavirus stimulus package: Reporter Rick Sobey has been glued to the stimulus story. Well keep it up in 2021. Its what readers demand.

Editors Choice: The Feb. 26-27 Biogen managers conference in Boston, a superspreader event said to be the source of 300,000 COVID-19 infections, remains a major story.

Joe Dwinell is the Heralds senior editor.

See the rest here:
The Boston Heralds Top 20 stories of 2020 - Boston Herald

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Opinion: There’s power in the spoken word, even if no one else hears – BethesdaMagazine.com

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

We all talk out loud to ourselves at some time or another.

Where did I put my key?

Or, to our dog: Good boy. Or in our car: That driver is crazy!

Or in the shower, singing a tune.

As a therapist sitting at my computer doing Zoom calls with clients, I began to think about how self talk out loud could keep us company, motivate us, coach us, help us focus better, maintain our memory and lessen our anxiety.

Heres how:

Keep us company: If we have a life partner, he or she is a witness to our life. Its nice when we can share our hurt or joy with that person. Sunsets are brighter and grief seems more real when we are holding hands with our partner.

However, if we live alone, we are the only witnesses to our lives. And that can get lonely, particularly during this awful pandemic when we are not being hugged or touched. It seems to me that the next best thing is to talk out loud at times in a kind and compassionate way.

For example, Sally lives in D.C. in an apartment and is usually upbeat and friendly. But lately with the surge, she screams inside for real companionship not on Zoom or phone.

So, she tried talking out loud, saying things like, Now, Im going to get back to my book, find that wonderful afghan and pour myself some tea.

Motivate us: Lea doesnt feel like getting up in the morning. Before the pandemic, she popped out of bed and drove to exercise class. Now, she does not want to exercise on Zoom; its just not the same.

So, she began to talk out loud every morning and say, After my shower, Im going to have a light breakfast, put on my mask and heavy coat, and walk a mile at 10:00. Then Im going to go to my white board and write down what I want to do the rest of the day.

This helps because she has made an out-loud commitment to herself.

Coach us: Ruth doesnt look forward to biking, particularly uphill. So, on the bike, she says out loud, Come on, Ruth. You only have two more hills and then you have a cup of cocoa waiting for you at home with a small piece of breakfast cake. You can do it.

Help us focus better: Many of our clients get distracted at times and might end the day with a feeling of not having accomplished much.

If you are talking out loud, then you are shutting out the noise of your internal distracting thoughts. Clients report that this is a very useful tool.

Steve wants to work on his bills for two hours, but never seems to get there, distracted by many less important tasks.

But when he says out loud, Im going right to my home office, pour myself some coffee, and work from 9 to 11 on my bills; nothing will get in my way, he commits to his plan out loud. When he feels hes getting distracted, he just talks out loud again.

Maintain our memory: Probably all of us have forgotten words, names of acquaintances, what we were looking for, or even the three upcoming segments on 60 Minutes.

Out loud, you can say, I am going downstairs to get that screwdriver or I am going to the fridge to look for that horseradish.

Again, it is hard to distract yourself with other thoughts if you are listening to your directive out loud. Some of us just remember better when we hear whats on our minds than when we just silently think about it.

Lessen our anxiety: Many of us have experienced heightened anxiety during the pandemic and perhaps chronic lower-level anxiety the rest of the time. If we talk to ourselves like a good mother or father or other nurturing person, we can be soothed.

For instance, you have been on hold for 45 minutes trying to dispute a credit card charge. You are irritated and angry.

So that your mood doesnt stay with you all day, you might try saying out loud, That was a terrible waste of time. Now, I am going to do my treadmill and watch The Crown on TV. Then, Im going to prepare a nice dinner for myself.

Now, some of you might say: Great, but only crazy people talk to themselves.

The truth is, we all talk to ourselves. Doing so out loud is a big step in self care.

Barbara Kane is the founder and owner of Aging Network Services LLC in Bethesda and a practicing psychotherapist.

***

Editors note: Bethesda Beat encourages readers to send us their thoughts about local topics we have covered for consideration as a letter to the editor or op-ed piece in our Saturday newsletter. Email them to editorial@bethesdamagazine.com. Here are our guidelines. We require a name and hometown for publication. We also require a phone number (not for publication) for us to verify who wrote the letter. Please provide a source for any facts in your letter that were not part of our coverage; if they cant be verified, they likely will be omitted.

See the original post:
Opinion: There's power in the spoken word, even if no one else hears - BethesdaMagazine.com

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Remdesivir and baricitinib shortened recovery time from COVID-19 – Medical News Today

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

Written by Jocelyn Solis-Moreira on January 2, 2021 Fact checked by Mary Cooke, Ph.D.

Results from the ACTT-2 trial reveal that baricitinib combined with remdesivir reduced the recovery time of hospitalized COVID-19 patients from 8 to 7 days. The reduced recovery time was even more significant in patients requiring oxygen or ventilation.

As the world rejoiced over the promising results from several COVID-19 vaccine candidates, the United States set a new record of 300,000 coronavirus deaths. This was a stark reminder that some people cannot wait for a vaccine next spring.

The ACTT-2 clinical trial recently investigated the use of both remdesivir and baricitinib, which may help with the recovery of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The findings now appear in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Stay informed with live updates on the current COVID-19 outbreak and visit our coronavirus hub for more advice on prevention and treatment.

One reason that COVID-19 is so hard to treat is that it has numerous effects on the body. These range from lung infections to neurological problems.

Drug repurposing allows for already approved drugs to expedite drug development.

Baricitinib has approval to treat rheumatoid arthritis. However, a June study in the journal EMBO Molecular Medicine showed evidence to suggest that baricitinibs antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties helped reduce the viral load, decrease inflammation, and improve symptoms of COVID-19 in hospitalized patients.

Remdesivir, an antiviral agent that scientists initially designed to treat Ebola, is beneficial as a COVID-19 treatment. A November clinical trial in The New England Journal of Medicine revealed that people who took remdesivir had a reduced recovery time of 10 days (versus 15 days in people who took a placebo).

Currently, remdesivir is Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for COVID-19 patients requiring hospitalization. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) have cautioned against using remdesivir, citing a lack of survival data to support its use for this purpose.

Therefore, researchers for the ACTT-2 trial hypothesized that combining baricitinib and remdesivir would be more effective than using either drug alone.

From May 8, 2020, to July 1, 2020, the clinical trial enrolled 1,033 people worldwide. Although 48% of the participants were white, 51.4% were Hispanic or Latino, 15% were Black, 9.8% were Asian, and 1% were American Indian or Alaska Native.

The diversity in trial recruitment will make the results more applicable for marginalized populations, who have a disproportionally higher risk of COVID-19 development and death.

The researchers randomly assigned a total of 515 patients to the remdesivir and baricitinib group, while 518 patients took remdesivir and a placebo.

They each received remdesivir through an intravenous line, with a 200-milligram (mg) loading dose on day 1 and a 100-mg maintenance dose for days 2 through 10.

Daily, they received 4 mg of baricitinib for 14 days or until they left the hospital. They received the anti-inflammatory drug via two oral tablets or through a nasogastric tube.

Regardless of the group the patients were in, healthcare professionals monitored them all and provided supportive care from day 1 of treatment through day 29.

Baricitinib plus remdesivir was superior to remdesivir alone in reducing recovery time and accelerating improvement in clinical status, notably among patients receiving high-flow oxygen or noninvasive mechanical ventilation, write the study authors.

Those who received remdesivir and baricitinib shortened their recovery time by a median of 1 day, compared with those who took remdesivir and a placebo.

Among those who needed high-flow oxygen or noninvasive ventilation, there was a marked difference in recovery times compared with those in the control group. By day 15, the health conditions of the patients who took remdesivir and baricitinib appeared to be improving.

People in the combination treatment group recovered by the 10th day, compared with the 18 days of recovery the scientists observed in the placebo group.

Although more participants would be necessary to measure a real difference in mortality rates, the combination treatment group appeared to have a lower mortality rate than the placebo group. However, more research is needed to confirm this.

The placebo group reported 28 grade 3 or 4 adverse effects, which the investigators confirmed were associated with the treatment, while the combination group reported 25 adverse effects.

Around 5% of all the participants in the trial experienced hyperglycemia, anemia, decreased lymphocyte counts, and acute kidney injury.

Due to the differences in trial design and drug biology, the researchers could not compare their findings to those of the clinical trial that evaluated the corticosteroid dexamethasone.

Dexamethasone has emerged as a leading treatment for severe COVID-19. The New England Journal of Medicine published preliminary results of the RECOVERY clinical trial, which found that dexamethasone reduced the risk of death in severe COVID-19 cases that required treatment with oxygen.

As the authors write:

Only a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, head-to-head comparison of baricitinib plus remdesivir with dexamethasone plus remdesivir will allow the efficacy and safety differences between these two approaches to be fully understood.

Currently, remdesivir and baricitinib hold emergency use authorization from the FDA to treat diagnosed or suspected COVID-19 in hospitalized patients requiring supplemental oxygen, ventilation, or cardiac or respiratory life support.

The researchers say that another clinical trial for baricitinib is underway and may hold more insight into its efficacy when hospitalized patients with COVID-19 take it.

Overall, the drug combination holds promise in treating severe COVID-19. The researchers are also hopeful that this may help COVID-19 treatment become more accessible to the global community.

Our results and the characteristics of baricitinib, including the fact that it is an oral drug with few drug-drug interactions and a good safety profile, lend itself to use in low-to-middle income countries, they write.

For live updates on the latest developments regarding the novel coronavirus and COVID-19, click here.

View original post here:
Remdesivir and baricitinib shortened recovery time from COVID-19 - Medical News Today

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Finding time for creativity will give you respite from worries – The Guardian

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

When the first lockdown began in March, my son developed a persistent cough. I was anxious and when I couldnt sleep I would write. Inspired by the author Elizabeth Gilbert, whose soothing Instagram I would turn to in the ungodly hours, and reassured by her pragmatic take on creative endeavours, I poured my anxiety on to the page and lost myself in my story.

My sons cough wasnt Covid-19 as it turned out, but writing about it had helped me manage my fears around the pandemic and given me direction. Now its New Year, and lockdown, in some shape or another, is still a reality while most of us wait for the vaccine. There is light at the end of the tunnel, but until we get there, I have a strong feeling that making something might just help.

At the beginning of the pandemic we were hyped up; it was scary, but it was novel and many of us even enjoyed the slower pace of lockdown life wider traumas not withstanding and the chance to work from home. Now that its almost a year ago, were more likely to be fatigued and listless, wrestling with financial worries and whatever else may come our way.

In these circumstances, taking up a new creative pastime could bring the tangible sense of achievement we seek, injecting some much-needed novelty into what could otherwise be a bleak January.

Psychotherapist Josh Hogan began drawing landscapes in the first lockdown. It gives me a sense of peace and calm, he says. When Im focused on that one activity Im not worrying about things that might happen in the future; it brings me back into the present moment because I have to pay attention to what Im doing.

Theres a sense of accomplishment and I may feel like Ive really said something, he says. Ive used art and creativity all my life to express myself and make sense of the confusing vagaries of life. But it wasnt until I began my counselling training I realised that art could be used as a powerful therapeutic, tool. Expressing oneself and making sense of life are two important processes in therapy. When I began training I realised I had been doing a lot of therapeutic things without knowing it.

Hogan also recommends creative pursuits to clients who are overwhelmed with anxiety. Art is widely recognised as a helpful way to boost wellbeing in so many different was: to aid communication, to alleviate depression, to uncover hidden meanings and conflicts, but it doesnt have to be a big cathartic expression of inner turmoil to have healing benefits. Even a small amount of creativity is good for us.

As a study led by Dr Daisy Fancourt, UCL senior research fellow for BBC Arts found, getting to grips with something new and creative is good for our mental health regardless of skill level. The research, conducted between March and May 2018 among a sample of 47,924 respondents across the UK, found that doing something creative can help people see problems in a new light.

While activities such as creative writing can help you vent your emotions, other things like knitting or crafting can give us some space and a safe haven away from our stresses, which might provide a chance to think things through and find solutions, says Fancourt.

Making something new is also great for our confidence. People can be surprised by what they achieve and this can spill over into other aspects of their lives, says Fancourt. A great example is the Choir with No Name, which is a choir for people affected by homelessness: 70-80% of people who take part go on to volunteer or find housing and leave the streets. While real-life choirs might be out of bounds for the moment, that shouldnt stop us from flexing our vocal cords in one of the many online groups that have sprung in the pandemic.

Getting busy with your sketchpad or journal can protect us in all sorts of ways. According to one study examining the links between art and health, a cost-benefit analysis showed a 37% drop in GP consultation rates and a 27% reduction in hospital admissions when patients were involved in creative pursuits. Other studies have found similar results. For example, when people were asked to write about a trauma for 15 minutes a day, it resulted in fewer subsequent visits to the doctor, compared to a control group.

Why we see these responses isnt clear, though when were really into our creative flow many of us fall into a state similar to deep meditation. Hours flash by in minutes and for once were free of that nagging, critical inner voice. This flow state can even bring about changes in our body, as shown by a 2010 Swedish study on classical pianists, which found that heart rate slowed, breath deepened and, rather wonderfully, the smile muscles were activated when the musicians really got into their groove.

But what about sharing our creation with others? Can this make our creative endeavour more powerful?

When its shared, parts of us that were once invisible, hidden, obscured, become known, is how musician and writer Jeff Leisawitz, explains it, writing on his Tiny Buddha blog. There are seven billion people running around on this planet. Its easy to feel lost, invisible and inconsequential. Its a big world. So creativity helps us be seen. Perhaps youll get your 15 minutes and become popular with the masses. More likely, itll be with your extended gang or just a few close people. And sometimes your creation will only be for yourself. Even if no one else checks out your work, itll still help you see yourself. Become better known to yourself.

In lockdown, many of us wrote more than ever before, colouring-book sales skyrocketed and we saw a spate of online creative courses spring up as artists and other makers shared their skill-sets to help us stay sane. Isolation Art School, set up by Keith Tyson, who won the Turner Prize in 2002, offered free video tutorials, which you can still find on its Instagram page, with portrait painting demos from Jonathan Yeo, and Tim Noble showing you how to build your own shadow portrait out of rubbish and household items and much more.

But what if your rubbish shadow portrait is, well, rubbish? If we dont have an artistic bone in our body, can creativity still help our mental health?

Tysons own series of lessons, Painting for Absolute Beginners, challenges the idea that there are artistic people and non-artistic people. I think the most important things you can learn from this is that there are no wrong answers. Theres no way you can make a mistake, he says reassuringly.

Gilbert is similarly inclusive. Creative living doesnt mean you need to become a poet who lives on a mountain top in Greece, or that you must perform at Carnegie Hall or win a Palme dOr at the Cannes film festival, she says in Big Magic, her self-help book for creatives (although if thats your dream by all means go for it). Creativity is simply a way to live a bigger more fulfilled life.

Its akin to unearthing buried treasure, which each of us has deep within us; we just need the courage to look for it. And what better time than now?

1. You cant experience flow if youre constantly being interrupted, so switch off your phone and laptop.

2. Do something you enjoy. Whether youre drawing, writing or designing, youre likely to achieve higher flow if youre doing it for its own sake rather than for an extrinsic reward, like money or applause.

3. Dont wait for inspiration or a big epiphany. Set aside an hour a day for creativity and just show up for it.

4. Try following an online course, like the free classes on Isolation Art School or one of the online courses from Writers HQ, which promises to help you Stop f***ing about and start writing.

5. Suspend judgment. If you dont think your creation is good enough, give yourself a break and keep going. As Gilbert says, in her podcast for Big Magic: The only thing thats going to get you back to work on day two is if you forgive yourself for how bad your work was on day one.

Here is the original post:
Finding time for creativity will give you respite from worries - The Guardian

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

New Year 2021: The resolution we all need to make for mental health – The Indian Express

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

By Shumita Kakkar

The fast pace of our lives has been disrupted by the unprecedented pandemic that broke out early into the year. The heartening thing, however, has been the global cooperation and resilience that has helped in a good bit of recovery and a lot of progress on developing a vaccine for the pandemic. Having said that, it is undeniable that the chaotic scenarios, disruptions to lifestyle, personal and family health concerns, and the global economic downturn caused by it have been a severe mental health challenge for most people directly or indirectly. This is in a scenario where mental health issues are already a pressing concern in India.

So much so that there is little awareness and acknowledgement of the same. Similar to most physical ailments, mental health problems are also treatable, but it generally takes longer for a person to recover from them. This is more so in case the problem is not identified timely and the right steps are not taken to cure/prevent it. The key is to identify the core areas which can help in improving mental health and alertness. It is important to work on them in a sustainable manner by taking small and effective steps focusing on the following aspects.

Sleep quality

A predominantly digital lifestyle can also pose challenges to quality sleep. Then there is the modern phenomenon of 247 services which make people work in evening and night shifts as well. What must be understood here is that sleep is not an indulgence, but a process through which an individual regains alertness, physical and mental fitness, and a positive mood.

Hence, one should try to sleep for eight hours a day which is essential for good health. Further, usage of electronic devices and gadgets such as computers, mobile phones or tablets or even the habit of watching TV before going to sleep should be avoided. Similarly, consumption of caffeine or alcohol before sleeping also affects mental health adversely and should be avoided.

Social activities

In the wake of COVID-19, everyone is facing restrictions on movement, social interactions, etc. Even celebrating special occasions and festivals has become difficult in this period of social distancing. Thus, it is natural for people to feel mentally bogged down, depressed. However, this is where virtual interactions and social networking become important.

Even if you are working from home, make it a point to prepare for the day in the same way that you normally did. Maintain good personal hygiene, dressing style, and groom yourself as if you have to go out and meet people every day. Make video calls and join online groups on subjects that interest you such as creative writing, books, or travel.

Health and wellness

Generally physical and mental health are considered to be separate areas. However, when it comes to overall health then mental wellness becomes integral as well. Good physical health increases our efficiency, alertness, self-confidence and offers a lot of psychological benefits. This can be ensured by regular exercise and healthy eating habits. When we exercise, our brain receives a boost of the happy chemicals called endorphins which make us feel better and happier. Similarly, eating a healthy diet containing an ideal balance of vitamins and nutrients can keep our body fit, energetic and disease-free. Stress eating, indulging in overeating and regular consumption of junk food are some of the habits that should be avoided.

Self-care

Self-care is essential to improving mental health. People tend to overlook their mental health needs as they remain preoccupied with the wellness of their family members. However, just like we take care of our gadgets to get the best output from them, we also need to practise self-care to live a long, healthy and happy life. Spend some time on your own. Focus on things that make you relax such as taking a hot bath, reading books, writing, listening to or playing music.

The idea is to keep yourself in a cheerful mood and eliminate fatigue. Depending on your schedule and needs, you can create a daily, bi-weekly or weekly self-time window to unwind. Pursuing things that make you happy is also a very potent way of self-care. Some people like cooking, others love playing with children or pet and there are those who love to do gardening and travelling.

Whatever works for you, find it and follow it regularly.

It is true that we want to constantly improve and do better. But we must also acknowledge and appreciate our efforts and things we achieve on the way. Reward yourself and give a mental pat on the back for surviving and thriving in these tough times. Remember, nobody gets desired results always, and if sometimes you under-achieve or fail, it is perfectly okay.

In conclusion

Mental health challenges in this pandemic age are a reality and almost unavoidable. However, what we all need to focus upon is that these issues are curable with the right approach and professional support. By focusing on self-care, taking good care of our physical health, lifestyle habits such as sleep quality and duration, physical exercise, mental relaxation and rejuvenation activities, we can keep ourselves in a good mental shape.

Such good mental fitness is crucial for the societys and the individuals growth in the years to come, so lets just all make a New Years resolution to work towards keeping our mental health strong, and earn a pat on the back by keeping the resolution going throughout the year!

(The writer is the founder of United We Care)

For more lifestyle news, follow us: Twitter:lifestyle_ie|Facebook:IE Lifestyle| Instagram:ie_lifestyle

The rest is here:
New Year 2021: The resolution we all need to make for mental health - The Indian Express

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help

Life coach and movie mentor Dawud Gurevitch prescribes patients with films to boost their happiness – The Irish Sun

Posted: at 12:53 pm


without comments

A SELF help coach reckons watching movies may be the key to bettering ourselves this year.

While many people turn to books or online for improvement guidance, Dawud Gurevitch reckons that watching our favourite films can teach us important lessons.

3

3

3

Dawud - who is a self help coach, author and movie mentor- helps his clients by prescribing a night (or day) watching films.

He says that the key is watching the right movie in the right way so you can apply it to your own life.

Dawud has studied hundreds of movies and analysed the lessons they teach us. He expertly matches clients needs to films with relevant lessons that can help them and shows how they can apply these lessons to their own lives.

He says: Movies entertain us they make us laugh, cry and even inspire us to get up and go for a run, as I found out after watching Tron: Legacy, but did you know that they can also inspire you to change your life?

Read on as Dawud explains how watching the following films can make you stronger, braver, more grateful, more mindful and have more self-control.

Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru (2016) is a feel-good documentary about one of Tony Robbins yearly seminars called Date with Destiny.

If you havent heard of him before, Tony is one of the worlds top life and business coaches, and this film can inspire you to be stronger when you hear about some of the participants shocking stories and when you see how Tony helps them to heal and to move on with their lives.

Being strong now is more important than ever so that we can handle the pandemic fallout.

Close (2019) is a powerful and believable thriller inspired by true events in which Sam Carlson (Noomi Rapace), a counter-terrorism expert and bodyguard, fights tooth and nail to protect her spoiled client, Zoe Tanner (Sophie Nelisse), from some dangerous people out to steal her large inheritance.

Watching Sam risk life and limb as she willingly and repeatedly goes head- to-head with the bad guys intent on hurting and even killing her should inspire us to face our own struggles with more oomph.

The Bucket List (2007) is the story of two poorly men, Edward Cole (Jack Nicholson) and Carter Chambers (Morgan Freeman), and how they bring joy to one another towards the ends of their lives.

Seeing how these two men who go from being complete strangers to being best friends make the most of their time together, despite their poor physical health, should give us reason to be grateful for our own circumstances and enables us to see opportunities that we can create to live life to full.

Eat Pray Love (2010) is the true story of successful Writer Elizabeth Liz Gilbert, a woman unhappy with her husband, house and job, and how she travels to Italy, India and Bali in search of good food, spirituality and new love.

Making mindfulness a daily practice, as Liz does, can do wonders for calming your mind, relaxing your body and stilling your heart, especially during hard times.

Gravity (2013) is another film that can help us to feel stronger. This sci-fi thriller shows Sandra Bullock playing Dr Ryan Stone, an engineer who becomes stranded alone inside her damaged space shuttle and attempts to return to Earth alive.

The ability to be emotionally fit in difficult situations such as this pandemic, including lockdowns, isolation and loneliness, is important for our overall wellbeing.

Dr Stones self-control when distressed shows us how we can do the same. So, get on Netflix, grab your popcorn and get ready to be become the new and improved you!

Article by Dawud Gurevitch, life coach and author of May the Source Be with You: A Filmic Guide to Change Your Life , available on Amazon.

See the original post here:
Life coach and movie mentor Dawud Gurevitch prescribes patients with films to boost their happiness - The Irish Sun

Written by admin

January 3rd, 2021 at 12:53 pm

Posted in Self-Help


Page 5«..4567..1020..»



matomo tracker