Mental Health Training

Did you know, nature can be advantageous for our emotional health and well-being?

For example, when healthy adults view nature scenes rich in vegetation, areas of the brain associated with emotional stability, empathy, and love are more active.

These same pathways are activated when a person looks at pictures of a loved one … These findings support previous investigations showing that nature scenes can enhance brain-wave activity in ways that are similar to the benefits of meditation.”

According to the biophilia hypothesis, attempts to explain the associations between increased rates of mental illness among individuals who live in cities. People who live in or close to natural settings have better mental health.

A longitudinal study from over 5,000 households, found that over a five-year period, individuals who had moved to greener areas displayed improved mental well-being for at least a three-year period. In fact, those who had moved to cities reported a decline in their mental well-being,

But you don’t have to pack up and move to the countryside to experience some of nature’s benefits — you could just take a long walk in nature. 

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When you imagine someone who is mentally ill, how do you picture them? Your response can help you determine if you are feeding into the stigma of mental health.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, this stigma can stem from misconstrued stereotypes and prejudices that indicate that people with mental illness are dangerous or unpredictable.

This type of public shame can lead to self-stigma, making the individual feel guilty of their illness and creating more extensive discrimination in society.

Nearly 1 in 5 American adults live with a mental illness, and an estimated 19 million Americans experience a major depressive episode each year. With such prevalence, why the stigma?

“A common misconception is that mental health is all or nothing. For example, there are various diagnoses within mental health. I think the blame leads people to consider that mental health is more of the severely mentally ill, like those who are psychotic or schizophrenic,” said Latasha Ellis, a psychotherapist at Iredell Psychiatry.

https://www.iredellhealth.org/news/releases/mental-health-awareness-squashing-the-stigma/

“In all actuality, a lot of people struggle with less challenging situations, but those characters may still fall under the umbrella of mental illness.

The most common mental illnesses are depression and anxiety — something that multiple individuals have faced.

The mental health stigma may prevent individuals with a mental illness from seeking treatment to avoid being incorrectly labelled as “crazy” or “dangerous.” In addition, this stigma may create a lack of understanding from family, colleagues, or others.

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, men with mental illnesses are less likely to have received mental health treatment than women. However, men are more likely to die by suicide than women.

Why is this?

Women are typically more open and emotional. Men may not share readily because society has groomed males to “man up” and not talk about or share their feelings. But anyone can experience mental health concerns,” said Ellis.

This added societal pressure on men directly influences the mental health stigma.

According to the APA, more than half of people with mental illness do not receive help for their disorders. In addition, many avoid seeking treatment due to concerns about being treated differently in society.

Especially after the previous year, consumed with the unprecedented pandemic, many have come to know depression and anxiety all too well. Living with fear, staying at home, and abstaining from all social interaction is enough to make anyone anxious or depressed.

However, the pandemic was not all bad for mental health.

“The pandemic has brought more awareness to mental health because a larger amount of people are talking about it. Also, the COVID-19 pandemic made mental health a little more acceptable in conversation because it brought forth a lot of anxiety in many of us.

How can I help stop the stigma?

The past year has demonstrated how talking openly about mental health, even sharing it on social media, can help reduce the stigma of mental illness.

“It’s essential for everyone to be open about their mental health because it helps kill the stigma. When more people are talking about it, and awareness is growing, those struggling secretly or privately are more comfortable coming forward and getting the help they need.

If you know someone who has a mental illness, it’s crucial to be supportive and validate what they are experiencing to be real and true to them. You should also minimize judgment and encourage the individual to seek the help they need.

Frequently, the need for help can be temporary; it does not have to be a permanent change in their life. Therefore, the sooner one seeks help, the better.

https://mentalhealthtraining.info/

Hacks to Boost Your Memory

Have you started finding it difficult to remember certain things? Does your memory seem to be failing you? If this sounds familiar, then it's time to boost your memory using these four easy hacks.

1. Do Memory Task

It may sound a bit strange, but your memory is like a muscle, and the best way to make it stronger is by working it! Numerous phone apps on the market can help you practice your memory, so download one and make a commitment to spend some time on it each day. Daily activity is key to boosting your memory. 

2. Stop Eating Sugar

Sugar can have a huge effect on your memory capabilities, so it's time to put down the sweets and eat something healthy instead! Switch out all of your sugary snacks for nuts, or veggies, and hummus. It's also time to check the sugar content of your morning coffee or tea. You'll be surprised at just how many things in your life contain added sugar that can negatively affect your memory.

3. Exercise

As weird as it sounds, exercise can go a long way towards boosting your memory. This is because when you exercise, your blood delivers the brain the oxygen it needs to boost its memory capabilities. For best results, you should try to be physically active each day. Try to work out for at least half an hour, doing an activity that raises your heart rate and keeps it elevated for the duration of the activity. 

4. Repeat Things To Yourself

If you are really struggling with your memory, it may be time to engage in the "practice tactic." This tactic means you should repeat any information you wish to remember frequently and out loud to yourself. You can also try creating acronyms or motions to go with the words to help you recall them better in the future. Just know that what works for one person may not work for you, so it may take some time for you to discover the best tactic to help you remember!

Losing your memory is a very scary thought which most people tend to face as they age. But luckily, using the above hacks, you can work to boost your memory so that you don't have to worry about forgetting something important. And before you know it, you may have the best memory on the block!

Do you ever wake up in the morning, and the last thing you want to do is get out of bed? How about the mornings when you wake up, hop out of bed ready to take on the world? What's the difference between those two scenarios? 

Motivation.

Motivation is what compels us to set goals, and more importantly - drives us towards them. If you want to know how to tap into the power of motivation, then read the tips below.

1.   Know What You Want

What is the point of motivation if you don't know what you want? Without having a clear vision of exactly what you desire, you won't be able to build up enough motivation to get through the obstacles you are sure to face.

2.   Know Why You Want It

This step is just as important as knowing what you want. Why do you want to reach specific goals? What will it mean to your life? Think about all the people in your life that you don't want to let down. These are the "whys," and they are essential.

3.   Set Goals That Excite You

It's beneficial to set reasonable goals that are easy to reach. I would never suggest stopping that. However, it can also help to set some relatively wild or audacious goals. These goals might seem out of reach right now, but the allure of reaching them in the future might motivate you in the present.

4.   Track and Measure Your Results

Tracking and measuring your progress is key to motivation. When you can actually see your efforts paying off, your motivation will naturally rise. If you don't track and measure, how else will you know if you are making profess?

5.   Reward Yourself

If you are tracking your progress, make sure you reward yourself as well. Rewarding yourself will ensure that you stay motivated. You are more likely to keep plugging away when you can see that reward getting closer and closer.

6.   Use Your Social Circle

Building accountability through your social circle is a great idea. When you have a big goal you want to achieve, let the people in your life know. Besides them potentially helping you along the way, it will also make you more accountable. The funny thing is, we are more likely to let ourselves down than our loved ones.

7.   Fake It

Not feeling motivated or energetic today? Try faking it. This tactic won't work all the time, but it could help you get through a slow morning or 2. Pump yourself up with some music. Chug some coffee. Jump around if you have to. Anything to make yourself feel a bit more energetic.

8.   Take Action

Have you ever sat down to work, and you just couldn't get started? Sometimes all it takes to give your motivation a little boost is to accomplish one simple task. Pick the single, most straightforward thing you can do towards any of your goals and do it. Most likely, this will motivate you to take on the next challenge.

9.   Find Your Inspiration

People get inspired by different things. If you want to maximize your motivation, then you need to figure out what inspires you. Maybe it's a specific type of music. Perhaps it's a view from your house. It could be a motivational speaker or celebrity. Find out what inspires you and schedule some time to immerse yourself in it each day.

Imposter Syndrome at work is especially damaging. It’s what holding you back from promotions. It’s the reason no one gives you additional responsibility.

Furthermore, it’s also the cause of too much stress, too many lost weekends where you put in hours upon hours while no one else does. It’s also the reason you micromanage and can’t let go of mistakes.

Especially your own.

So how do you deal with Imposter Syndrome before it derails your career entirely?

Know the Statistics

Did you realise that 70% of people and some studies put this as high as 87% may suffer from Imposter Syndrome at some point in their life?

So you’re not alone in feeling this way. Some would even say it’s normal. 

Understand the Origin

Not everyone has the exact reason for having Imposter Syndrome, though. When you start feeling like you don’t measure up, it’s time to ask yourself questions.

Do you feel like you do not understand the task?

Could it be you’re in the wrong department or, worse, the wrong occupation entirely?

Or are you just thinking you might be in over your head? 

The term gaslighting has existed for decades now, but its usage seems to have spiked in recent years. Gaslighting is when someone makes someone else question their sanity, perception, or memories.

It seems like people finally realize how serious and manipulative the behaviour is. One of the most nefarious aspects of gaslighting is that it often happens so gradually, the victim doesn't even notice. That's why you need to watch out for these nine warning signs.

Blatant Lying

One of the clearest warning signs of gaslighting is when someone regularly lies to you. Not just any lies, though, blatantly untrue lies that are easily disproved. When people do this to you, their goal is to get you to doubt your recollections or sense of reality.

Focus on Your Insecurities

A gas-lighter finds it easier to manipulate their victims when they are already beaten down. If anyone in your life regularly pokes fun or attacks your insecurities, they may be attempting to lower your confidence, so it's easier to manipulate you.

Denying Things They Said

If anyone in your life routinely denies saying things you know they said, then they are likely gaslighting you. Sometimes, people forget what they said, but it's a warning sign if it happens all the time. It's a huge red stop sign if the person refuses to acknowledge what they said, even when you have the receipts (i.e., a screenshot of a text.)

Constant Negativity

When someone is constantly negative, it might just be their attitude or dealing with something in their life. If that person is continually trying to get you to feel the same way or urging you to think negatively about every situation, they may be trying to manipulate you.

They Always Flip The Blame

Have you ever had anyone in your life who flipped the blame every time they did something wrong? Instead of taking responsibility or offering you an explanation, they will try and convince you that you are to blame. If you didn't do X, they wouldn't have done Y.

Constantly Correcting Your Recollections

If someone in your life is constantly correcting your recollection of events, they may be trying to gaslight you. By chipping away at your recollections, they are laying the foundation for you to doubt all of your memories. Once you start doubting your memories, the gas-lighter gains control.

They Call You "Crazy"

This is one of the most classic warning signs of gaslighting. You have likely heard the term described as "someone trying to make you feel crazy" First off, crazy shouldn't be casually tossed around as an insult, period. Secondly, gas-lighter gains so much control if they can get you to doubt your sanity.

They Trivialize Your Feelings

If someone is attempting (or actively) gaslighting you, they will always trivialize your feelings. To them, no matter how you feel, you should "suck it up." Your feelings aren't real, and you should control them. They will always make sure their feelings take precedence over yours.

Want to Keep You Isolated

A gas-lighter will typically want to keep you isolated. They will do this by actively trying to turn you against friends or family. They may also make you feel guilty about not spending all your time with them. It is much easier to control and manipulate someone if they feel like they have no one else to turn to.

Mental health may be considered an umbrella term for a continuum – with mental illness at one end and mental wellbeing at the other.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, the lockdown has aggravated mental health issues worldwide. Equally, more people acknowledge the fundamental need to improve their mental health, increasing the need for more support schemes. Interestingly, most individuals still associate mental illness with the shame surrounding mental health issues, making it difficult for patients to get help and medical attention.

There are many reasons why mental wellbeing is essential. Not only is it protective against physical illnesses and linked to greater productivity, but the mental wellbeing of a population is necessary for a country’s sustainability, long-term growth and development.

Mental illness may describe various conditions, such as depression or anxiety, affecting emotion, thinking, and behaviour. 

Even though depression, addictive behaviours, or personality disorders are often mocked as lazy, unmotivated or unproductive. Yet, mental health is vital as it is the foundation of our emotions, thinking, communication, learning, and self-esteem.  

You may be familiar with the term resilience, which is how well you are coping with everyday stresses. But, on the other hand, a reduction is associated with distress and problems functioning and dealing with daily life or employment pressure. A common feature is that mental illness involves feeling bad and performing poorly at work or home.

Learn more......... https://mentalhealthtraining.info/health-and-wellness/wellness

If you look up self-reliance in the dictionary, it will tell you that it means that you can follow your capabilities, judgment, or resources to be independent.

To do that, you’ll need to learn to accept responsibility for everything you do without depending on what someone else says, does or thinks.

Solutions Over Problems – A self-reliant person will look for answers to any problems instead of focusing only on issues. Where most people see just dilemmas, they see solutions. 

Don’t Blame Others – If you want to be self-reliant, you cannot blame other people for your choices. It’s a tricky thing to look at a situation and choose the correct part you have control over to do better next time.

Know Where Your Influence Ends – You don’t control everything, and intelligent, self-reliant people understand where their influence ends. They know that there is no point trying to control those things outside their power. 

Accept the Responsibility That You Own – Being able to admit to doing something wrong, and even doing something good, is a sign of a truly independent person. You don’t need to take the blame if you’re not also taking the credit.

Life Is Not Fair – Bad things happen to good people. Good things happen to bad people. There is no real “karma”, but you can do it if you set out to accomplish something; you might have to modify things a little. 

Stop Complaining – Learning how to turn negative thoughts into positive thoughts to avoid complaining is something independent people do. 

Don’t Take Everything Personally – Sometimes things aren’t about you. Even if you think someone is talking to you about something that hurts, remember that you should not take things personally without understanding it’s meant for you. 

Harness the Power of Intention – When you are ready to do something, you intend to do it. For example, if you want to lose weight, you will use discretion to eat right and focus more to succeed. 

When you can become more self-reliant, you’ll be able to not only stop taking everything personally, but you’ll know exactly how to harness the power of intention to impact your life and others in a big way truly.

That means that self-reliance is all about accepting responsibility when it’s appropriate. 

You’ve probably been disciplined for breaking a rule in the past. It may have been a rule your parents made to keep you safe, and you learned a lesson from breaking it.

There are risks to every rule you choose to break, and you may be the type who loves to break them. Adrenaline rushes from rule-breaking become addictive to some people.

If you don’t agree with specific rules of society and plan to break them – either in business or your personal life, consider these five risks involved:

• 1. The risk of antagonizing people you need or want in your life.
• Think carefully about breaking a rule that can alienate you from the very people who could benefit you and whom you love. For example, if you go against your parents’ wishes, you may cause them anguish. Weigh the benefits and then act accordingly.
• 2. Lose your job.
• Some rule-breaking may result in the loss of a job or position in a company. Insisting that you can work from home and get more done may alienate other co-workers who trudge to work each morning. You may also miss out on valuable one-on-one time with your boss or others significant to your job.
• 3. You were expressing your opinion.
• Standing up for your values can be a risk that gives you great satisfaction and can boost your self-esteem. It may also alienate you from a person – or group of people. Beware of the consequences of your words and then do the right thing.
• 4. Unqualified for the job you’re in.
• You may have accepted a position by promising that you’d be a fast learner and meet all expectations required of you. At some point, you may be overwhelmed by the amount of work or learning process that you didn’t expect. Know what you’re getting in to before leaping into a job you’re not equipped for.
• 5. You were not taking yourself seriously.
• This rule needs to strike an equal balance. When you take yourself very seriously, you run the risk of others perceiving you as pompous and a “know it all.” But, if you don’t find the balance between being severe at times that require it and having fun at appropriate times, you may never be seen as the authority figure you want to be.

Breaking rules can harm some areas in your life that you may not expect. Study the pros and cons of law before deciding to break it and then act in your best interest.

Consider your actions and long-term outcome. 

https://mentalhealthtraining.info/

Most of our lives are occupied with interpreting the past and planning for the future. Because of this, most of us don’t even know what’s happening right now.

Often, we go through the motions in our daily life without fully experiencing them. However, if you want more happiness and success, now it will help you to become more mindful. 

Fully Experiencing What is Happening Right Now

As you listen, are you also watching TV or listening to other external noises within your environment, trying to stop your cat from jumping on the kitchen table?

Instead, try to listen carefully, blocking everything else out. It’s only going to take about two minutes of your life to hear this without interruption. 

Letting Go of Expectations of What You Are Experiencing in the Present

If you have a big event to attend, it’s easy to allow expectations to rule the moment. You may even go into the situation with too many ideas of what will happen to ruin your experience. Instead, try to stay grounded so that you honestly know what is happening.