The physical benefits of exercise are clear, but did you know working out can actually improve your mood and make you happier all around? That’s right, science shows that people who exercise on a regular basis are more fulfilled and have a clearer mind. The effect exercise has on our mental health and mood should not go unnoticed, as it’s one of the easiest and most accessible ways to get out of a rut. While many people go to the gym or pound the pavement in order to achieve a toned body and improve cardiovascular health, working out has many more benefits than what the eye can see. Over the last decade, scientists have looked at how exercise can boost brain function, elevates our mood, and contribute to how we view ourselves. In fact, exercise – of any kind – can have a hugely positive impact on depression, anxiety, ADHD, OCD, and other mental health disorders. For those who aren’t a huge fan of the gym and cringe at the thought of lacing up those running shoes, the good news is even modest amounts of exercise can make a big difference. Regardless of your age or how fit you are,…
Living with a mental illness is difficult and challenging in itself, let alone when you bring your loved ones into the mix. When someone you love has been diagnosed with a mental illness, it is important you have the tools to support them. Being supported and having a family that is willing to come together for their loved one who is suffering from a mental illness is incredibly important. This willingness to come together, accept the diagnosis, and move forward as a unit will make a world of difference. This is not to say doing so is easy or comes naturally, but it is important for the health and well-being of everyone affected. Denying that someone has a mental illness or disapproving of this individual will only make the situation worse and could create even more obstacles for your loved ones. Having the support of those who are closest to you – whether it be your biological family or chosen people – is critical to an individual’s recovery and well-being. Having the unwavering support of loved ones has been proven to help minimize the damage mental illness can inflict on a person. While this is undoubtedly a difficult situation, it…
Valentine’s Day is a holiday for couples who want to celebrate their love and relationship, but if you are single this can be one of the most miserable days of the year. Many people call Valentine’s Day “couples awareness day” for a reason, as the days – even weeks – leading up the holiday are filled with ads aimed at lovebirds. However, not everyone is in a relationship – and that’s OK. We should never be made to feel bad about ourselves for being single on Valentine’s Day, yet that is seemingly what happens year after year. It can be difficult to pry yourself away from social media and all the outward displays of love and romance, but it is important to do so. If you are single on Valentine’s Day, take a step back and be kind to yourself. This shouldn’t be a holiday that makes you wallow in your misfortune, but should rather teach you to practice self-love and respect for yourself. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being single, contrary to how you may feel. Your relationship status certainly shouldn’t hold you back from celebrating Valentine’s Day, if that is something you wish to do. There are…
Dating can be an anxious experience, regardless of how experienced and confident you are. It’s safe to say we’ve all had different dating experiences, whether a handful of less serious relationships to a few serious long-term partnerships. The more we date, the more we learn about what makes a good partner, and what attributes are less than ideal. Numerous challenges and difficulties can arise when first building an intimate relationship with another person, which is only natural. We may have certain expectations about a person or relationship based on past relationships or our desires, but things don’t always pan out that way. Time and experience are both incredibly helpful in navigating us through new relationships, but this isn’t to say we can’t be caught off guard. Before entering into any relationship, it is important you know and love yourself. All too often we see relationships based on unhealthy viewpoints and ideals, which can be quite dangerous. It is easy to get caught up in another person and a new relationship, but this can lead to trouble with the wrong person. Before you throw caution to the wind and give your all to a new relationship, it’s important to take a…
Finding out your child has been diagnosed with autism is something no parent wants to go through. However, it is a reality that many face. These days there is a slew of information on the web about autism and how to raise a child that has been diagnosed. When it comes to raising a developmentally different child, there will undoubtedly be challenges along the way for most parents. The very first uphill battle a parent will face is accepting the fact that their child is not “normal” and will probably experience different struggles than many other children. It is only natural to experience feelings of sadness and anger over this diagnosis, but it is important to move forward with a positive, hopeful attitude. Aside from your internal struggles, you will likely also have to learn how to tell your family and friends and help them with this diagnosis as well. These people will become a vital part of the parents’ support system and making sure everyone is on the same page is a must. The exact causes of autism are unknown and there are no clear cut answers or treatments right now. Therefore, it is imperative parents work with a…
Many people – both men and women – struggle with anger management issues in today’s hectic world. Whether your inner rage stems from something that happened in your childhood, a chemical imbalance, or something other root cause, it is important you take the initiative and seek help. According to recent studies, one out of five people in the United States suffers from anger management issues. This may come as a surprise to many, but for others it is all-too-real. While violent compulsive behaviors often define anger management issues, there are many other behavioral traits that may indicate someone is dealing with anger. These types of behaviors are often cyclical, which means that the angry explosions or verbal/physical abuse is followed by behaviors that overcompensate for the bad actions. When trying to determine if you or someone you love has anger issues and could benefit from anger management, it is important to look inward and be honest with yourself. Here are a few patterns or signs that may indicate someone has an anger issue: Criticizing or belittling others Lack of patience Short temper Irritability Blaming others for everything Name-calling Shut down or withdraw when experiencing feelings of anger Avoided by others…
The start of the new year provides us with an opportunity for reflection and introspection – allowing us to take a look back at the person we became over the last year and perhaps pinpoint some areas that could use improvement. New Year’s resolutions are something many people struggle with, or rather struggle to stick to once the new really gets going. Not being able to keep a resolution you set in January come March or April can be frustrating and even increase anxiety. However, it is important to remember that just because we’ve started yet another new year doesn’t mean we need to do a complete overhaul on ourselves. Give yourself a break and don’t put too much pressure to completely stop all your bad habits and become this ‘perfect’ idea of yourself. The new year should be more about reflecting on your behavior’s over the last year and set an intention to make positive lifestyle changes that really benefit you. Instead of looking at is as a resolution and something that must be kept or you’ve failed, try changing your perspective and looking at it as an intention or a commitment to make some positive changes. Don’t be…
It is completely normal to feel lonely from time to time, but if you are plagued by these feeling all the time, it may be a good idea to seek help. Feelings of loneliness can plague anyone at any time, including teenagers, the elderly, and those who suffer from depression. While symptoms range from person to person, people often experience sadness, isolation, and withdrawal from loved ones. Whether you live by yourself, with your family members, or with loved ones, loneliness can strike. Although not all cases of loneliness occur because of depression, there is a strong link between the two. In fact, feeling lonely is quite often a predictor of depression and sadness. It is important to note that loneliness is an extremely complex mental and emotional condition that can be extremely powerful. It is safe to say that every single person has experienced some degree of abandonment and isolation at one point or another, even if only for a short period of time. Remembering how you felt during this time can be both painful and scary, but it is important to learn different strategies and coping mechanisms for fighting depression and these other feelings. Persistent loneliness can be…
Being in a relationship certainly has its ups, but when that relationship ends it can be absolutely devastating. One of the most difficult things a given person will go through in their life is moving on from a relationship that had lasted for many years. In most cases, you and your partner have combined various aspects of your lives, including your home, friends, family, finances, and pets. Detaching yourself from a person who has been a constant in your life can be extremely difficult. Many people equate ending a long-term relationship to losing a limb or feeling like your body is paralyzed. Even though this other person is still alive, it can feel like they are gone forever and your life will never be the same. That being said, chances are your relationship ended for a specific reason and letting go is the only way you are going to be able to move forward. Regardless of why the relationship ended, it is important to seek out healthy coping mechanisms. Ending a long-term relationship can be very similar to losing a loved one, which means there is oftentimes a grieving period. Please know that grief is a very common aspect of…
Bipolar is a common disorder that affects approximately 5.7 million American adults, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. While many people think bipolar disorder is relatively rare, this is not the case. Approximately 2.6% of the U.S. population 18 and older suffer from bipolar disorder, making it a very common condition. There is an unfortunate stigma surrounding bipolar disorder which has made it difficult for many to openly talk about. Here at Lifeworks, it is our goal to offer support and treatment options for individuals suffering from a wide range of conditions, including bipolar disorder. Thankfully, bipolar disorder can be treated with medication, therapy, and even lifestyle changes. Mental health experts note that the key to living a fulfilling life with bipolar disorder is to find a treatment that works for you, and stick to it. If bipolar disorder goes untreated, the condition can worsen and even cause longer, more frequent episodes. We encourage you to contact our Carrollton therapy center today to learn more about our approach to treating bipolar disorder. We understand every patient is different and believe in taking the time to find solutions and treatment options that will fit your needs. What is Bipolar…
