On weekdays, Shashi Chandra, a technical architect at Campus Management Corp., leaves for work by 8:30am. On weekends, he leaves home two hours prior to reach his other workplace: a rented farm in the outskirts of Bengaluru.

For the past two years, Chandra, 38, has been growing vegetables in his 600 sq. ft plot, which is some 35km away from home. Since 2017, he has produced nearly 150kg of vegetables, including brinjal, carrot, cluster beans, beetroot and radish.

Like Chandra, Srinivasan Deenadayalan, 28, who works as network engineer in Chennais Reliance IT Park, has been a weekend farmer for the past two years. He tills a 3.5 acre plot, owned by an acquaintance outside Chennai, and grows native varieties of paddy.

Chandra and Deenadayalan, who had no prior farming experience, are part of a small group of organic urban farmers who juggle career and passion. Some own farms, some rent and some borrow from friends. Startups like Farmizen are also helping people rent and manage farms for them. Founder Shameek Chakravarty says there is a growing interest in farming, but adds that only 20% of his customers visit the farm regularly. The rest instruct through the app what they want to grow in the farm and collect the produce when its ready."

Getting food conscious

Bengalurus Walmart architect Santosh Basavaraju, 41, likes to spend free time at his farm, whenever possible. Curiosity over sterile seeds in a fruit led Basavaraju to take up farming about three years ago. In school, we had been taught that if you sow a seed, it will germinate and grow. So I was surprised that these seeds wouldnt germinate," he says. It was then he started researching on seed engineering, which led him to zero-budget natural farming and attending a five-day course on the subject.

As he couldnt find any land near Bengaluru in his budget to implement what he had learnt, he settled for his familys 10-acre farm in a village in Chamarajanagara district. He grows lentils, millets and sunflower. By adopting a multi-crop method, Basavaraju claims, he has been able to improve his lands groundwater level. He even purchased a cow so that hes not dependent on market manure. As for the harvest, he got nearly 45 quintals of toor dal (pigeon pea) from two acre last season.

While most of what these farmers grow is for personal consumption, some have graduated to commercially selling their produce. Chennais Parthasarathy V.M., 37, who has been farming for over a decade, sells his produce from a makeshift store in his house and at farmer markets. An associate general manager at IT services and consulting company, who recently put in his papers to focus on farming full time, took farming as a vocation due to concern over heavy pesticides used in vegetables. The frequent road trips within Tamil Nadu he and his wife, a former TCS employee, took where they sampled organic produce, cemented this intention. I had become a picky eater," recalls Parthasarathy. So, in 2008, he started experimenting with the three-acre family land in Pandeswaram village, 90 minutes away from Chennai. The first crop he grew was banana. He divided the land and grew five batches, each having 300 saplings. Three batches were exposed to fertilizers and pesticides, and two grown were organically. The organic batch hardly grew because the soil had leftover chemicals, and the few bananas we got tasted lovely. The batch that was given chemicals did excellently well, but we cut buried everything in a dry well because we knew how much pesticide we had sprayed on them," he says.

He gave up the land as half of it was unfit for further organic cultivation and took a half-acre patch again from his family farm land the next year to grow 20 varieties of organic leafy vegetables. With enough for personal consumption, Parthasarathy decided to sell the surplus stock at Chennais Marina beach. But he realized people werent willing to pay the higher mark-up cost he was charging even if the vegetables were organically grown.

So, he switched to native paddy by taking an additional two acres from his family in 2010. He now grows vegetables for personal use and over eight varieties of native rice since they are commercially viable" in 28 acres of family land; 70-odd acre in his village is used for organic farming.

Juggling work and farm

Parthasarathy and Deenadayalan chose native paddy as its a hardy crop and so, easy to manage while balancing farm and work lives. In paddy cultivation, most effort goes into sowing, transplanting and harvesting, after 150 days.

Vegetables are sensitive crop and need constant attention. During the first season, we planted seven varieties of country vegetables but didnt get as much yield as expected. Since I have a job, it was becoming tedious," says Deenadayalan, who has roped in a group of his friends to help at the farm. If he skips a weekend visit, one of the friends makes a trip.

I have a team of three, who help at the farm. This gave me a lot of space to focus on my work. I enjoy my corporate work. In case there is pending work to be finished on weekends, I go early morning to the farm," says Parthasarathy, who spends 15,000-20,000 per month on the farm.

Basavaraju, meanwhile, ensures he wraps up his work by Friday. If some last-minute work comes up, I carry my laptop to the farm. I have Wi-Fi connection there," says Basavaraju, who, on an average, spends 6,000 a month on the farm.

For Shashi Chandra, the weekend travel to farm is also no trouble. When you are passionate about something, you will make time. I arrange my work accordingly," says Chandra. He monthly shells out 3000, which includes the farm rent.

Farming has been transformative for Deenadayalan, who shells out 3,000 a month. Its all worth it because it gives me peace", he says.

Farmizens Chakravarty cautions that farming is not everyones cup of tea. Several people live in this fantasy that they will do part-time farming and make money. The fact is that most part-time farmers barely break even. I have seen people get into the mode of buying land, getting into farming. The first year is always tough. When they see that they have lost or are continuing to lose money, they give up," he says.

Chandra, too, faced his share of problems in the beginning, but he didnt give up. Experimenting with seeds and different methods, he didnt get any harvest for a few months. It taught me not to worry about failure; put your effort and dont worry about results. I also started valuing time."

To ensure things run on time, Basavaraju notes down his observations, like which saplings to plant and seasonal changes, on a digital diary app. Farming is all about data."

The biggest change farming has brought in Parthasarathys life is in his attitude towards consumption. Farming teaches you to be mindful about your consumption. For instance, we have gone many years without buying new clothes. The things we used to worry about has changed; life is much more simplified now."

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Meet the weekend organic farmers - Livemint

Winter can be a season of deep reverence and gratitude, and our community is fortunate to have the City of Olympias Parks, Arts and Recreation Departmentsclasses, camps and programs. These are blessings we can count twice. They make self-care affordable and attainable and provide us with experiences we will remember throughout the year.

Registration is open now for the new Winter/Spring 2020 offerings. The first page of the print brochure calls out Do Something for You.

All of these can be achieved and more and no matter what you resolve to do, the Parks, Arts and Recreation department can help.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow, said Audrey Hepburn. The promise of spring may be hiding in tightly-wound winter buds, but the gardener knows that winter is the season to begin making plans. There are plots available for those 16-years-old-and up at the citys two Community Gardens located at Sunrise and Yauger Parks. Applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis beginning in January. Dig in the dirt, grow nourishing foods, and connect with other gardeners, because, after all, as an anonymous, yet very wise person once said, Gardening is cheaper than therapy, and you get tomatoes.

Communing with nature can be a transformative and spiritual experience. Norman Maclean in his book, A River Runs Through It, says In our family, there was no clear line between religion and fly fishing. Avid fly fishers have known for ages that finding deep peace may be just up around the next river bend, and this exciting outdoor activity will lead you into some of the most peaceful settings. Learn the basics of the sport through Introduction to Fly Fishing, instructed by members of South Sound Fly Fishers, who have a combined 90 years of experience. By springs arrival youll be ready to head out to our many lakes and rivers to try out your technique.

Theres an adage that says the difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them. No matter which you choose, with Rock and Mineral Identification youll at least be able to identify them. In a four-hour course held over two, two-hour blocks, Instructor David Kaynor, member of the Geologic Society of America, will teach you how to identify most rocks in Washington.

We dont make mistakes, just happy little accidents, Bob Rosss voice soothes. Those who are willing to show their age will say they remember watching him masterfully scrape at his palette, folding colors into one another, transforming Prussian blue into a more light-hearted shade. Make some transformations of your own in Bob Ross Joy of Painting. Or try Palette Knife Painting with Acrylics, where color mixing and knife strokes on the palette are the focus, and contrasting and blending happen before the paint even hits the canvas.

By the time we realize we are ready to throw something, we are past the point of needing some self-care. In Beginning Wheel Throwing, you can throw things in a healthful way its clay on a potters wheel. In a class designed for absolute beginner students learn to center with confidence, and though the catalogue is referencing the clay on the wheel, theres more centering going on than what meets the eye.

Perhaps being in your kitchen is what fills up your cup literally. Participants ages 14 and up and can learn the timeless skill of making your own vegetable and fish stocks in the Soups and Stocks class and then how to use each to prepare hearty soups and more.

Or perhaps youd like your baking prowess to rise like the yeasts in some of your favorite breads, and that can be achieved too, with the help of Instructor, Barbara Johnson and her Baking with Yeast class. These nourishing cooking classes take place in January, the perfect month to cozy up in a warm kitchen. Whether you are honing your knife or a new skill, if cooking is your love language, there are seven unique classes to choose from.

That wise phrase can be words to live by, and is especially helpful in new situations. Perhaps you want to try Acting with Accents, learn to dance the Cha Cha and Salsa in Latin Love, or glide across the room in a Ballroom Waltz? Through music, voice, theater, and dancing, we can study our way toward the performers we wish to become, or just pretend we are someone else for a little while. Through an impressive 29 different class offerings, theres no dancing around the fact that there are some self-care gems here.

Thomas Jefferson once eloquently defined self-care: Exercise and application produce order in our affairs, health of body, cheerfulness of mind, and these make us precious to our friends. Not only to our friends, but also to ourselves, there are many ways to put a little sweat equity into our self-care investments and the City Of Olympias Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department offers a variety of ways to get bodies moving. Crucial in the winter months, these indoor classes are a bright spot in the darkest part of the year. Choose from yoga to Taekwondo, to Jazzercise, or all manner of organized sports, these activities can be an outlet to escape the stressors and the mundanity of our lives.

New year, new start. For many, the shift in the calendar year brings a shift in mindset. A shift in lifestyle, a shift in self-awareness. And whether we resolve to be better humans, take care of our bodies better, or take time to make time self-care is a lasting gift we should all give ourselves.

Self-care is giving the world the best of you, instead of whats left of you.- Katie Reed

Experience It! Olympia Parks, Arts, and Recreation Department

222 Columbia Street NW, Olympia Classes are held at the Olympia Center unless otherwise noted. 360-753-8380 Schedule your experience online here.

Sponsored

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Is Self-Care on Your Agenda for 2020? Check Out These Unique and Affordable Classes and Put Yourself at the Top of the List This Year - ThurstonTalk

Home Blog Compassion Fatigue: When Counselors and Other Helpers Dont Make Time for Self-Care Last updated: 15 Dec 2019

~ 3 min read

It has been called many things: compassion fatigue, empathy overload, secondary traumatic stress, and vicarious trauma. It is what some counselors, therapists, first responders, doctors, nurses and other professionals or volunteers experience when they open their hearts every day to absorb the trauma and pain of others, while trying to help guide them through to healing. To be a great support person it requires the ability to have empathy and with that comes the risk of experiencing physical, mental and spiritual exhaustion.

While compassion fatigue can happen when helpers are unable to replenish and restore emotionally and physically (Figley, 1982), vicarious trauma is the shift you experience mentally from compassion fatigue (Perlman and Saakvitne, 1995). This shift has been identified as the altering of your perceptions and feelings towards the world around you. An example of this is police officers who have a hard time seeing the good in the world after years of helping victims of crime. Or the crisis counselor whose faith in humanity begins to deteriorate after supporting people in crisis for many years. You could say that compassion fatigue is the precursor to vicarious trauma that has been going on for too long. Many people dont recognize the signs of compassion fatigue.

Signs of Compassion Fatigue can include:

Eleven years ago, I worked for an organization that experienced a traumatic event that affected our clients, staff, and community. A tragedy that sent me on the brink of a mental health crisis. With a heavy load ofunresolved personal issues, feelings of powerlessness over clients I wanted deeply to help, I lacked a self-care plan that could render me resilient while doing my job. I walked away from a career I loved and spent the next few years suffering from compassion fatigue, not knowing if I would ever feel like myself again.

Most of us that are helpers choose our jobs and roles because of a deep and profound desire to make a difference in peoples lives. Knowing how to manage trauma exposure, identify your emotional experience limits, and having a support network are necessary tools to thrive as a helper. Too often though, we believe that we are already equipped to deal with other peoples issues and that our certifications and degrees come with an invisible armor protecting us from any harm. This false sense of security prevents us from identifying the symptoms and warning signs of compassion fatigue. I missed the signs and symptoms eleven years ago that were building up over time. My job was to take care of others and I told myself every day that I was fine. I believed my joy came from helping others and thats what was most important. Those beliefs and values sent me spiraling into depression and anxiety and left me with very little energy for myself.

I have since learned that saving others before you save yourself does not make you a hero. It makes you a villain to yourself. Forgetting to self-care because you channel all your energy and time towards others deprives you of your own peace and serenity. The essence of life fades from within you when you dont take the time for yourself. I heard long ago that when you are a helper you need to remember to put on your oxygen mask first, just like they instruct you when you are on an airplane. Putting the oxygen mask on someone else and forgetting to put it on ourselves means that others will be able to breathe with our help, but we cant. Not being able to breathe is what happened to me. My anxiety attacks raged, and I couldnt breathe. I had to learn to put on my oxygen mask every day before I put it on others as part of my self-care routine. Every morning I take time to pray, read daily reflections, meditate and set my intentions for the day.

Other Ways to Self-Care Through Compassion Fatigue:

When I take time for me, I am reminding myself that I matter too and even though I may know that mentally, I have to engage in my physical routine because my instinct is to care for others first. When I get away from my routine and start my day focusing on other people, I immediately feel the disconnect from me and know I need to start my day over.

Learning to take care of myself allows me to be there for others without losing myself. I am a better helper now than I ever was back when compassion fatigue took hold. The lesson I had to learn was not to deny myself of self-care because I am too busy helping. Self-care is a necessary part of life that allows you to genuinely help others to breathe easier without depriving yourself of oxygen.

Sue Morton is a Canadian Mental Health Advocate and Blog Writer who writes on the topics of Parenting with Anxiety, Grief, Addictions and Mental Illness. She facilitates an online Parenting with Anxiety network of over three thousand parents with anxiety, learning to navigate through the parenting years with anxiety tagging along. As a Mental Health Advocate she has worked as an Addictions Counsellor, Crisis Counsellor, and Woman and Children's Advocate. She is the creator of the course Authentic You inspiring others on a journey of self-discovery.

APA Reference Morton, S. (2019). Compassion Fatigue: When Counselors and Other Helpers Dont Make Time for Self-Care. Psych Central. Retrieved on December 16, 2019, from https://psychcentral.com/blog/compassion-fatigue-when-counselors-and-other-helpers-dont-make-time-for-self-care/

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Compassion Fatigue: When Counselors and Other Helpers Don't Make Time for Self-Care - PsychCentral.com

In 2017 I had the worst year ever, said Meredith Atwood. I had quit my law job to pursue a business, and everything kind of fell apart. I looked around and thought, everything is nonsense.

As described in her new book, The Year of No Nonsense: How to Get Over Yourself and On With Your life, nonsense can be a bad relationship, or an outgrown habit. Its subjective, added Atwood, a writer, speaker, podcaster, and finisher of several marathons and triathlons. So many of us are on autopilot. Just going forward, doing the same things, wondering why were unhappy and unfulfilled and overweight and sick. You know in your gut what your nonsense is. But you have to really listen to yourself.

Of course, nobody is ever perfect. Understanding that failure and relapse and roadblocks are a part of life, and just accepting that, and knowing youre doing the best you can, thats how you keep going, Atwood said. What getting rid of nonsense does it is frees up some space to begin to care for yourself, and to start to love yourself. Youve learned to trust yourself. Once you trust yourself, you can begin that process of learning to love yourself.

Self-help books often address women, but Atwood hopes men will read it as well. Men struggle with many of the exact same things women do, they just arent as vocal about it.

The books language is salty at times, and Atwood knows that might offend some who, like her, grew up in a strict religious background. I think Im going to get a lot of disapproval, but theres a whole chapter on people-pleasing and how Im no longer going to do that in my life, she said. Me using profanity in the book is me moving away from the fine art of people-pleasing.

Atwood will read on Tuesday at 7 p.m. at Brookline Booksmith.

Kate Tuttle, a freelance writer and critic, can be reached at kate.tuttle@gmail.com.

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Meredith Atwood gets out of her own way in new self-help book - The Boston Globe

Its both an exciting time of the year with holidays approaching and a stressful time of the year with all you are trying to accomplish. Add on some crazy weather issues and that further complicates things. So, how can you better manage everything and keep your sanity?

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Reality Check. First, recognize that you wont get it all done exactly as you imagined, and let yourself say thats okay. We often have extremely high expectations for what we think we can accomplish during this time of the year. Perhaps we need to make our goals a little more realistic.That doesnt mean you have to drop your enthusiasm; just do a reality check. See how much time is left and what is actually manageable. Readjust your goals to be more realistic.

Change others expectations. In addition to altering your own expectations, talk to your colleagues or supervisors to see if you can make some changes in their expectations for what can be accomplished at the end of the year. Chances are they are feeling just as stressed. Do you really need all those meetings at this time? Can the timelines for some projects be extended? Even if you are only able to change a few things, this can have a powerful impact on reducing your stress and maybe even theirs.

Chunk it into bits. One of the biggest stressors we face is the size of what we have to accomplish whether it is finishing up work projects, getting all of our presents ready in advance, or cleaning our entire house for holiday company. Sometimes just viewing these massive lists we have created can be overwhelming. If possible, break those large projects into smaller ones. Sometimes we only have 30 minutes here or there and we think we cant get our big project done then. Which is true we cant. But, if we can break it into parts, we might get some of the smaller parts done during those shorter time periods. That can still help us feel a sense of accomplishment, and that we are not being overwhelmed.

Dont forget your own self-care. We have the tendency to put all of our projects and others ahead of us during the end of the year mad rush to get it all done. Dont do this. Make sure you still find time to exercise, get plenty of sleep, and engage in some activities for your own sanity (e.g., mindfulness, meditation, prayer, etc). You need to keep up your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well being during this time, probably more than at any other time of the year.Try to do something fun each day this gives you added joy.

Take advantage of forced slow times. Maybe you are stuck in traffic on the highway or circling a parking lot to find a spot at the shopping mall or waiting in a long line at a store, or on hold on the phone. These are forced slow downs imposed on you. Instead of giving in to the temptation to get angry and frustrated, use these opportunities to do other things. Each year, we know these things are going to occur, and yet we always seem surprised and frustrated by their existence (as if they just popped up). Be prepared. Bring other things to do while waiting in line or on the phone or as you are circling the parking lot. Maybe listening to relaxing music is just the thing that can keep your blood pressure from rising even higher.

Volunteer. It may seem counterintuitive to volunteer when we have so much on our own plates. But, this is the season to volunteer and help those less fortunate than us. While we may be very busy, sometimes just taking a little time to give back to others helps us to put things into perspective and remember how much we do have. It also helps us to remember the reason for the season.

The end of the year comes with celebrating various holidays and welcoming in a brand new year. It should be a time of joy and yet; it often comes with the stress of having too much to do and not enough time to get it all done. Following some of these tips might just help you get your energy back and enjoy this holiday time and ringing in the New Year!

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Need Help Managing The End Of The Year Stress? - Forbes

The holidays are a wonderful time for families to come together to celebrate and connect with one another, but they can also be a time of stress for many especially those struggling with issues around food.

Nicole Goolsby, LMFT, CEDS, has worked as an eating disorder therapist for the past five years, helping teenagers and adults who suffer from a variety of mental health issues related to food. The clinical therapist works with a team that includes a psychiatrist and a registered dietitian all working together to help clients identify signs that they may be struggling and provide treatment.

Goolsby says signs of an eating disorder can include feeling stressed around food, being fearful of weight gain, feeling guilty after eating, or skipping out on events that are food-focused.

These behaviors and feelings can increase around the holidays, she says. Learning strategies to manage your relationship with food is a great step to feel confident throughout the season.

Goolsby sat down together with registered dietitian Tholia Davila to highlight 10 strategies and reminders to get through the holidays.

Goolsby and Davila say this list is meant to provide as a reminder of the stressors that occur during the holidays and tips and tools for support. However, it cannot take the place of the benefits of working with a therapist, registered dietitian and physician in your recovery journey.

By learning to understand and respond to signs of an eating disorder, you can help the people in your life who may be struggling with one. If you or someone you care about is suffering from an eating disorder, visit our eating disorder programs page and learn more about howLoma Linda University Behavioral Medicine Centercan help.

Request informationon any behavioral health concerns, and one of our intake coordinators will contactyou. If you or someone you know is in crisis now, seek help immediately.

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Tips and tools for handling eating disorders around the holidays - Loma Linda University Health

If the recent viral Peloton ad was any indication, buying the right health-related gifts can be a challenge. A wellness gift should be something that's equal parts thoughtful and useful, and that inspires your loved ones. CNBC Make It found nine wellness picks to help your giftees be happier and less stressed.

Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can be enough to reduce stress, and busy people who want to squeeze in a workout at lunch will appreciate these post-workout wipes they kill germs while cleansing and moisturizing the skin. The wipes have also been vetted by a group of more than 1,000 US Special Ops Forces who swear by them for quick, "tactical" showers, aka the wipe-down you do when there's no time for a proper shower. They're slightly scented and individually wrapped.

This vibrating massage ball can be stashed in an office desk and used to ease tension from sitting all day. It's about the size of a softball, and its shape lets you target hard-to-reach knots deeper than a foam roller.

Billionaire Bill Gates and wellness guru Deepak Chopra preach the benefits of a good night's sleep, and this eye mask pillow can help improve anyone's power nap game. It's designed to help tune out the world so you can fall asleep in uncomfortable places, like sitting in a plane seat.

The CBD craze can be overwhelming, but Equilibria's full-spectrum hemp flower oil CBD mixture meant to "promote focus and decrease tension," according its website comes with a consultation from a dosage expert to help find the right way to incorporate it into your wellness routine. (It's also best to check with a doctor before taking CBD.)

Biking to work or on the weekends is a great way to stay active and to reduce your carbon footprint. To make that easier and safer, there's this collapsible bike helmet. It's very lightweight for its features and comes in four colors (including an eye-catching neon). When the helmet is collapsed, it's only about three inches thick, so it slides easily into a tote bag or backpack.

Eat like some of the healthiest people in the world. The recipes in this cookbook come straight from global "blue zones," the places where people live the longest and are the happiest: Okinawa, Japan; Sardinia, Italy; Nicoya, Costa Rica; Ikaria, Greece, and Loma Linda, California.

Headspace membership; $12.99 a month or $69.99 a year

JLab Audio Air Executive True Wireless Earbuds; $69

Whether they like to play music during a run (which can improve endurance) or listen to a podcasts on their daily commute, these wireless earbuds last for six hours on a single charge and they're waterproof.

Joshua Tree Kombucha Starter Brewing Kit; $45.99 for kit

Source: Joshua Tree Kombucha

This DIY kit can keep fans of kombucha swimming in the trendy fermented tea (which provides similar benefits to probiotic supplements) all year long. It includes everything you'd need to easily brew at home, including a SCOBY, the symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast that's responsible for fermentation, which is reusable. The easy-to-follow brewing process, which takes five to 14 days. Given than a single bottle of kombucha costs $4 to $5, you'll save them tons of money.

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9 self-care gifts for your stressed out family and friends - CNBC

This article was originally published here

Efficacy of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling in Switzerland: study protocol of a two-armed randomised controlled trial.

BMJ Open. 2019 Dec 08;9(12):e032110

Authors: Baumgartner C, Bilevicius E, Khazaal Y, Achab S, Schaaf S, Wenger A, Haug S, Keough M, Hodgins D, Schaub MP

Abstract INTRODUCTION: The past-year prevalence of problem gambling worldwide averages 2.3%. Switzerland exhibits a slightly lower past-year prevalence rate, of 1.1%, among adults. Only a minority of these adults attend outpatient treatment. Surveyed problem gamblers have explained that they wanted to handle the problem on their own. The option of a web-based self-help programme could potentially reach those users who hesitate to approach treatment centres and help them to reduce or stop their problem gambling. The effectiveness of such web-based interventions has been shown in other countries. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This two-armed randomised controlled trial (RCT) will examine the efficacy of a web-based self-help intervention, relative to an active control condition with a self-help manual, at reducing problem gambling. The active intervention programme, spanning 8weeks, consists of nine modules developed to reduce gambling and attenuate psychopathological comorbidity, including depression, anxiety and stress-related disorder symptoms, relying on motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy. With a target sample size of 352, questionnaire data will be collected at baseline, and at 8 and 24 weeks after baseline. Primary outcomes will be the number of days one has gambled in the last 30 days. Secondary outcomes will include money and time spent on gambling activities, changes in gambling-related problems (Problem Gambling Severity Index, Gambling Symptom Assessment Scale), use of alcohol and cigarettes, and psychopathological comorbidity. All data analysis will comply with the intention-to-treat principle. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The RCT will be conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki; the consort eHealth Guidelines for studies on medical devices; the European Directive on medical devices 93/42/EEC, Swiss Law and Swiss Regulatory Authority requirements. The study was approved by the ethics committee of the Canton of Zurich. Results will be published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal. Participants will be informed via e-mail about study results via a lay-person-friendly summary of trial findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: Current Controlled Trials registry (ISRCTN16339434).

PMID: 31818841 [PubMed in process]

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Efficacy of a web-based self-help tool to reduce problem gambling in Switzerland: study protocol of a two-armed randomised controlled trial. - DocWire...

58 minutes ago

Blood drives

American Red Cross will host these blood drives:

11 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday , Indiana VFW Post 1989, 824 Indian Springs Road

1:30-7 p.m. Thursday , Holy Trinity Church, 327 W. Vincent St., Ligonier

Appointments: 800-733-2767 or redcrossblood.org; walk-ins welcome

Vitalant (formerly Central Blood Bank) will host a blood drive noon-5 p.m., Monday , Courtyard by Marriott, 700 Power Lane, Hempfield. Registration: 877-25-VITAL

Classes/programs

Breastfeeding Success, a weekender version is planned 9-11:30 a.m. Saturday at Excela Westmoreland Hospital, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Details: 877-771-1234

Excela Health and Boy Scouts of America, Westmoreland Fayette Council will continue the Explorer program at Excela hospitals 6-7:30 p.m. every third Wednesday of each month at Latrobe campus, Excela Latrobe Hospital, One Mellon Way. Register at wfbsa.org/exploring.

Tours of the Family Additions Maternity Center is planned 2 p.m. Sunday in Excela Westmoreland Hospital, 532 W. Pittsburgh St., Greensburg. Details: 877-771-1234

Support groups

Substance abuse victims and their families can join the Substance Addiction Ministry at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Agnes Convent, 11400 St. Agnes Lane, North Huntingdon. The ministry, which is offered the third Wednesday of each month, provides participants with prayer, presentation, support and resources. Details: 412-337-7455 or [emailprotected]

Blackburn Center Against Domestic & Sexual Violence has a support group for victims of intimate partner violence that meets on a weekly basis. If you are a victim of domestic violence and would like to learn more about this support group or about in-person counseling and advocacy services, call the 24-hour hotline: 724-836-1122 or 1-888-832-2272 for more information. All services are free.

A support group for self-help, sharing and caring by and for people with mental health concerns meets 7-9 p.m. every third Thursday in Mental Health America of Southwestern Pa., 409 Coulter Ave., Suite 4, Greensburg. Details: 724-834-6351, ext. 118

Cornerstone Ministries is presenting a new Substance/Behavioral Addiction recovery program at 2200 Cornerstone Lane, Murrysville. Meetings are held 7-8:15 p.m. every Thursday. If you or a loved one are suffering from an addiction, contact us at 724-733-0070 or [emailprotected]

Shirley Taft is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Shirley at 724-836-4970 or [emailprotected].

TribLIVE's Daily and Weekly email newsletters deliver the news you want and information you need, right to your inbox.

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Link:
Health Happenings: Week of Dec. 17 - Tribune-Review

Years of failure at social interaction can lead to strong feelings of isolation and a lack of self-esteem. The majority of students with learning differences tend to develop some anxiety and other difficulties.

Anxiety is two times more prevalent in women than in men. Prolonged states of anxiety can lead to a state of depression. Family problems and complications are often a source of stress for all involved and especially for a student with a learning difference.

In my own case I have spent a lifetime attempting to overcome some of the emotional trauma I experienced in my family of origin. I had a bother with Aspergers syndrome, a sister with ADD, and another sister with High Functioning Autism, all of whom committed suicide.

Being diagnosed at age 54 has assisted me in understanding and coping with these past events. I have experienced many of the symptoms of anxiety and depression and have had to use most of the prevention strategies that will be outlined later in this paper.

There are many factors that can increase anxiety and depression and an understanding of them helps us to be able to implement strategies for prevention. I have experienced empathic attunementan extreme sensitivity to the suffering of others. When I view any documentaries regarding the Holocaust or cruelty to animals I am very upset and overwhelmed.

Many students become intellectually overloaded from observing and absorbing lifes absurdities and tragedies they perceive but others fail to see. There seems to be no separation from what is occurring in the news and many students seem to be taking on the pain of the world without any filter or defense mechanism. My brother was a social loner, but very convicted about politics and was so upset about the election of George Bush senior that he committed suicide the day after the election.

Perfectionism in all its forms is a root cause of anxiety and depression. This leads to procrastination and an inability to finish projects that are started. Often students have unrealistic thought patterns about the way life is supposed to be and how others live in the world. They can feel everyone knows how to be with each other while they are like an android floating in space, unconnected to the planet. An overwhelming sense of separation and disconnection can develop.

Often a students inability to self-regulate emotions and behavior can lead to a sense of failure in relationships and employment. I have a sign over my desk that says always make new mistakes. This helps me accept when I am imperfect. Another saying I have is all relationships are imperfect to remind myself there will always be disagreements even between spouses and family members. The world is full of problems, but it is also full of overcoming problems.

Loneliness, or that terrible sense of isolation, can push a student inside him or herself. Feelings that he/she doesnt belong can well up inside a student. With a sense of intellectual superiority, the student may believe he/she can think his/her way out of any situation on his/her own. This coupled with the belief that asking for help is a sign of weakness can be crippling.

The external evidence of their social incompetence accumulates. Without any outlets or perspective, students become caught in analysis paralysis. This coupled with mental exhaustion can contribute to sensory overload. They can become hyper-focused on the negative. Students shut down and escape into their computer or fantasy. Other contributing factors to these sensory implosions can include a lack of a proper nutrition; sleep deprivation; lack of a sensory diet; or a lack of a self-care regimen.

Environmental factors also can contribute to melt-downs. A limitation of sunlight can contribute to a lack of vitamin D, just as being in enclosed spaces for long periods of time can contribute to a sense of alienation. Build up of clutter and unfinished tasks from lack of executive function skills can overwhelm students. They feel a profound separation from nature and an inability to see the beauty in the small things around them.

Students can be tormented by their seeming failure to adhere to over-scrupulous, rigid, and unattainable religious doctrines and practices. My sister, with high functioning autism, at age 73, could never accept forgiveness for sinning when she was a nun in her 20s.

All of these contributing factors can lead a student to a lack of self-acceptance and feelings that he/she cannot be himself/herself.

Social Strategies:

Building a support network for ourselves.

Initiating Strategies:

Solitary self-appraisal does not work as we continue to self-justify our actions or lack of action. The default mode of students on the spectrum is isolation. Students must have the courage and willingness to initiatenew strategies.

Flexibility Strategies:

Being committed to listening to feedback and having the willingness to implement others feedback.

Wellness Strategies:

Our emotional well-being is our responsibility. Learning to care for ourselves and our bodies is essential for our mental outlook.

Gratitude Strategies:

When life crises occur in multiples, anyone can be thrown into a state of anxiety and/or depression. Getting perspective about ALL that is in ones life is an antidote. Dont sweat the small-stuff; its all small-stuff. Being in the present and appreciating all the gifts we have is necessary.

Physical Strategies:

Create the kind of atmosphere or energy you want to calm yourself.

Spiritual Strategies:

Uncovering our own spiritual values and finding ways to express them.

Having a toolkit for handling anxiety and depression does not replace the need for therapy. Students may need to process unhealthy relationships or patterns of interacting. When the time comes that they are available for insight therapy, they should utilize a skilled therapist to work on new interaction strategies.

This article was featured inIssue 93 ASD Advice for Today and Tomorrow

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Self-management and Ways to Handle Stress - Autism Parenting Magazine