6 Reasons Why Everyone Can Benefit from Counseling

Going to therapy can be helpful even in a preventative sense, and here is why:

1. We all live in a society where we are exposed to traumatic occurrences every day and we can experience less stress by talking about it

2. Society isn't necessarily teaching us healthy ways to deal with our emotions, for example: numbing out on our cell phones/tablets, over eating, drinking, sex all with the intention of escaping our emotions

3. Having a solid support system to go to in a crisis can help prevent crisis's in the first place

4. Clients get to practice healthy communication, all which is often lacking from the exchange of "How are you"... "fine", that doesn't cut it, if you really are not "fine"

5. Healthier relationships with ourselves can help us succeed more, and help us open our eyes to what a life with more clarity

6. Therapists can help hold you more accountable to your goals

 

Going to a therapist for preventative care is like going to the dentist every six months for a teeth cleaning, if you don't go, you won't know you have a cavity that could turn into something more serious.

Anger is Keeping You Stuck in Unhealthy Eating Behaviors

Eating disorders and negative patterns with food begin with personal pain (that can look like a lot of different things for people) and set up a vicious cycle of anger: destructive behavior, shame, depression, self-hate, and back to anger.  This anger is taken out on the self, as well as anyone that tries to take away or change the negative patterns with food the person may have. No matter what your food patterns, the misuse of food starts as a natural response of anger to pain. The longer the individual holds on to anger and the longer people respond to the individual with the negative patterns the longer the struggle tends to continue. 

For those that are conflict avoidant this faces a difficult challenge because they often cannot even identify that they are in fact angry. Breaking the cycle and finding the strength to disconnect from an unhealthy relationship with food requires relearning not only the proper response to food, but also the proper response to anger. Often society has taught us that anger is "bad", however it is as natural part of life and our emotions.

Recovery from an eating disorder can only be realized once you dig into the true origin of that anger. To free yourself from the control that anger is imposing on your choices, its recommended that re-experiencing your anger in its fullness,  is often the only way to let it go, and move on. 

Are you or your teen struggling with anger, shame, a disconnect with your feelings, it may be time to connect in order to begin the process of recovery. 

What is Health at Every Size (HAES)?

There are a lot of buzz around Health at Every Size so I decided to do a post specifically telling you all the facts about what it actually means. The good thing about this concept is that its a mindset, not a plan, not something you have to pay for to learn about, and finally not a diet plan.

So without further ado here is what HAES means:

  • The weight-neutral approach

  • The truth about intentional weight loss

  • The cost of sustaining intentional weight loss

  • Set-point weight theory, the famine response, and breaking down weight science

  • The history of HAES and the non-diet approach

  • Fat activism and the fat acceptance movement

  • How HAES incorporates intuitive eating, joyful movement, and self-care

  • The importance of size diversity in the HAES movement and embracing the genetic determination of body size

  • The caveat of HAES with eating disorder recovery and weight restoration

5 Positive, Uplifting, and Natural Tips to Boost Happiness

Spend time with those you love

  • This is an easy way to get endorphins streaming throughout your brain, because when you feel connection, you feel peace, joy, and safe
  • The time you have to do this of course may vary for each individual, but making an effort to spend time with someone for even a short time will help

Spending time alone doing something that is a passion

  • I know this goes against the first tip, yet honestly it can be just as important to recharge your batteries and happiness mojo if you practice hobbies/passions that are yours
  • Taking time to reflect and sort out your thoughts will decrease your drive to perform around others and allow to connect with your inner life

Spend some extra time to sleep

  • Research suggests that a huge mental cost occurs when you don't getting enough sleep
  • In addition research also suggests that those that sleep less tend to have experience more repetitive negative thoughts

Eating a balanced diet

  • There is science around eating certain foods and having that lead to a "happiness" neurotransmitters: Eating foods that are high in protein and specifically have a higher percentage of tryptophan (like turkey, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds), will provide much needed tryptophan, the precursor to serotonin. Serotonin is the neurotransmitters that medications such as Prozac is attempting to rebalance in the brain. 
  • Having a healthy gut, can provide relief as well, so if you experience GI issues, consult a doctor/nutritionist to see if changes in your diet are necessary

Spend time outside

  • Early morning sunlight is more intense and this can boost your body’s production of melatonin in the evening. Serotonin converts to melatonin for a great night’s sleep.
  • Getting outside for a 20-minute walk in the early morning sunlight can boost your mood and improve your sleep!
  • Plus fresh air, and exercise can promote endorphins in the brain as well