by Awesome Author | Nov 26, 2022 | Mental Health
Health is only as crucial as it gets, and everyone must make it a top priority. Mental health has been in the spotlight for various reasons in the recent past. It’s affecting people’s lives in one way or another. Paying close attention to it entails being mindful of any kinds of triggers and keeping them at bay. Some of the stimuli, such as work or even some relationships, may be inevitable.
Being keen on them makes it easier to know what works best and enforce it. Stress is one of the factors that impact mental health at different levels. Here are ways in which it affects your mental health.
1. Irregular Sleep Patterns
Quality sleep is a significant aspect of the overall well-being of your mental health. However, sleep is not always guaranteed due to some inevitable factors that may cause disruption. Stress interferes with regular sleep patterns, seriously affecting one’s mental health. As mentioned earlier, some of the primary causes of stress are work-related or connected to some of our relationships.
Falling prey to these factors may cause your body and mind to react differently, but the levels of impact may not vary. Some victims of stress tend to oversleep, while others find it challenging to get a shut-eye even when extremely exhausted. On the bright side, there are convenient and effective methods of dealing with irregular sleep patterns.
Others prefer to read a book or watch a movie to induce sleep. Failure to enforce the said methods might lead to more crucial effects. Better still, monitor your sleep patterns and see a specialist in case they fail to add up. Try as much as possible to avoid the triggers of unhealthy sleep patterns. Your mental health may fall prey, and it might be too late to redeem yourself when you fail to act promptly.
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2. Anxiety and Depression
When stress sets in, the affected people respond differently to its effects. Prolonged stress equals eventual anxiety and depression, which may worsen when medical help is out of the question.
Anxiety and depression come in different levels depending on the nature of the stress trigger. It comes in varying ranges from severe to mild and follows specific patterns. An individual begins to exude specific behavioral, cognitive, and even physical symptoms. Some of the most common mental symptoms of anxiety and depression are; low concentration levels, poor decision-making, little to no self-confidence, and worrying over things one has no control over.
Behavioral or emotional symptoms include; irritability over nothing, in particular, constant agitation and inability to relax, moody spells, and apprehensive behavior that’s often misunderstood. Behavioral symptoms are also coupled with feelings of hopelessness and desperation. This causes the victim to engage in unreasonable actions with dire consequences.
The physical symptoms can be pretty scary, especially for those who have never experienced stress in its full measure. For instance, the most common symptoms are constant migraines, nausea, and low or complete loss of one’s sex drive.
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3. Social Withdrawal
Stress is sometimes highly underrated and has dreadful consequences when you least expect it. Dealing with long-term stress has been established as a notorious deterrent to the progress of our mental health.
The longer it goes on, the more complex the victim finds it to socialize. They may keep to themselves when in the middle of a group or distance themselves completely.
One of the reasons for adopting a withdrawn lifestyle when stressed is due to certain beliefs conceived in the victim’s mind. One of them is that they could be in danger and only try to look for their safety by keeping to themselves. Another reason for being withdrawn is the development of trust issues. These happen primarily to victims who have experienced heartbreaks and other fraudulent episodes in the recent past.
Keeping to themselves may be their way of preventing the same things from happening or even worse. It’s essential to seek medical advice from certified mental health experts before things get out of hand.
4. Lower Concentration Levels
If one is plugged into stressful circumstances, one begins to feel and act differently. The results of stress depend on the gravity of the causes in question. Since your mental health becomes affected, concentration levels begin to dwindle.
It might become nearly impossible for some people to concentrate on work, studies, or even duties at home. It’s essential to seek medical help rather than allow this symptom to go on for prolonged periods.
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Reiki Self Treatment Can Work Wonders.
In Chinese, such energy is known as ‘Wi’ or ‘Chi’ – Martial arts and acupuncture are various other disciplines that can work parallelly with this energy residing within us. Since responses to Reiki treatments vary from individual to individual and session to session, average results comprise a profound emotion of peace and relaxation. At times, people feel that tingling or warmth or even notice visual imagery.
While undergoing a Reiki session, your body will shift from flight-or-flight mode into rest and digest mode. Also referred to as Parasympathetic mode, the rest and digest cycle can induce a relaxation response, one of the states your body requires to cultivate healing.
Since transformations might include physical shifts, like a more relaxed feeling or restful sleep, giving this 5-minute practice a chance is important.
• Lie down and get comfortable.
• Place hands behind the head, palms pillowing the back of your skull.
• For the following couple of minutes, breathe deeply.
• Imagine your palms sending healing energy to release thoughts that no longer serve your purpose.
• Allow similar forms of energy of healing and light to come into your heart.
• Now open your eyes slowly and notice how your body and mind feel together.
Conclusion
Mental health awareness is crucial for people of all ages and must never be shoved aside for some reason. Since stress is among the primary causes of most mental health challenges, we must learn all the crucial tactics to handle it. Stress is inevitable as most situations and aspects challenge us to fight back. This gives room to stress and its terrible effects when we fail to prepare adequately.
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by Awesome Author | Feb 7, 2022 | Mens Health
Mental wellbeing and physical health are two of the significant factors that can derail a man’s life. The ongoing pandemic has shown us that even a robust body stands no ground. There’s more to health now. Besides, the world also witnessed that several male athletes pulled out of their respective sports in the last 3-4 months to prioritize their mental and physical wellbeing. Furthermore, talking about statistics, here are three significant causes of deaths in order – heart disease, cancer, and most importantly, unintentional injury. So, how does it get better? What are the ways that can be implemented to prioritize a man’s health and wellbeing? These are some questions that need quick addressing.
Not only have these numbers been consistent worldwide, but they are similar across ethnic and racial populations, as per the report by the Center for Disease Control.
Economic Considerations for Men’s Health
Most research departments, entities, policy-makers, hospitals, and marketers have under-emphasized male health considerably despite the health care trends. But, why does this matter? The death of a male member of the family has its ramifications. Early deaths of the male head can severely affect the child’s education and income groups. Such an event can leave a long-term impact on the family. Some may overcome the numbers, and others might simply succumb to this.
A Range of Health Issues
Besides cancer, cardiovascular disease, and hypertension, diabetes is also higher in men than women. Alarmingly, 80% is the correct figure that tends to affect men regarding heart diseases. Moreover, when friends and family are asked about warning signals, they pointed out that men never discussed any issue with their heart disease (fatigue, chest pain, and shortness of breath) before any fatal event.
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et another disease that can alter a male’s life is a lung disease caused by smoking, colon cancer of the lung, liver, bladder, psychiatric disorders, suicide, or obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Holistically Addressing Men’s Health
One of the positive news is that the risk factors involved in cardiovascular diseases, unintentional injuries, and cancer are well known. However, once they are acknowledged, intercepted, and identified, they can be modified. And, such modifications and alterations can come through lifestyle changes, diet, or surgical and medical intervention.
In the United States, men report various risk factors for substandard health, including over 20% who smoke, over 30% with obesity, and 80% who do not involve themselves in any form of exercise.
Barriers to Proper Health Care
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While proper healthcare can be subjective, in a male’s chart, it is more about their ego. Seeking medical help or advice demonstrates a form of weakness, as per several male members of society. Besides, some research pieces have stated that men approach health issues differently than their gender counterparts. In addition, it is also known that most men are uninsured or under-insured.
As a result, several health departments and organizations have started enrolling male employees into their health insurance schemes and programs. They believe a male member of the society, family, or organization can only earn if their physical or mental wellbeing is prioritized.
Urology and Men’s Health
Urologists tend to play an integral role in men’s health. In addition, men often see urologists regarding their medical issues like erectile dysfunction, low sex drive, or urinary difficulty.
As a result, it is essential to treat and diagnose these diseases to improve their situation. Many of such urological problems may be related to high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, cancer, psychiatric factors, or hormonal issues. Even in a healthy man with minor urologic problems, preventative education and cancer screening are a must.
Prioritize Mental Wellbeing
When it comes to Asian men and people working in the Middle East, it would be fair to say that most migrated workers are men. Not only are they working for extended hours for additional pay, but they are also being overworked by several organizations. While many agencies have reported the over-exploitation of migrated male workers, some have organized movements and walks to raise awareness. However, we still have a way to go. So, how do we make a mark? Well, one can take the initiative to check on someone we know out of our families.
Aim of Men’s Health
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The primary objective of “men’s health” is to enhance the ease and access of men’s healthcare and tailor specific diagnostic and screening strategies for them at various life stages. Cardiovascular disease, unintentional injury, and cancer are three leading causes of mishappenings amongst men worldwide. All these health-specific issues can be administered, modified, and treated if they get reported on time. Speaking of which, one must not forget to report these if acknowledged. Visiting a healthcare practitioner to talk about all these issues can be beneficial in several ways. So, what are you waiting for?
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by Awesome Author | Feb 1, 2022 | Horses
We all are indulged in other sports. When we talk about such a fact, do you emphasize what needs to be done? In this case, you need to because we are talking about how horses have kept company with us and improved our wellbeing in many ways. Yes, if you are thinking about making the most of horse riding, you are scrolling through the right post. It would help if you were submissive and attentive to the fact that horse riding is one of the sports with several health benefits. And, in the end, horse riding is not only fun but is an ideal opportunity for you to make the most of the field and your body.
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You can find some of the top benefits of horse riding and why people should know that it’s just not a horse that does the work. Moreover, horse riding seems like an excellent idea. While it may not be challenging at first glance, it would be spam to state that the falls are not appreciated much by seasoned professionals. However, it is excellent for your health and wellbeing in the same breath. How you may ask? This is where facts and testimonials come into action. Moreover, there is research and studies that can prove our statement right.
Calorie Burning
It is official. Horse riding can be ideal and a breathtaking experience for your body, but for good. In addition, the British Horse Society has commissioned a study and found that such a sport can meet the exercise intensity guidelines brought forward by the government. You must know that a short spell of trotting can burn more calories than you can think of. This also burns more calories than indulging in badminton and jumping exercises.
You can even undertake to muck out for a moderate start to the entire sport. Moreover, if you are looking for a suitable job, several forms and kinds of horse-specific jobs to burn that Sunday lunch. You can even read a bit of the intensity involved in horse riding.
Good For Mental Health
Have you ever had a word with a rider and asked them about how they feel? Well, if you did, you might have received a content answer of keeping them calm. This has also been proven by science and various kinds of research pieces. Spending time with animals can raise serotonin levels in the brain and regulate your mood levels. This also contributes to relieving stress and anxiety while allowing you to get indulged in a recreational activity.
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Moreover, horses have been utilized as therapy for autistic kids to help them learn to talk and communicate. Being and riding with horses can also help kids build an emotional sense of belonging with the animal, which further helps improve their social skills. And, these social skills can help them survive in society. Other therapy centers utilize animals like horses to help veterans get over PTSD, if you were unaware of this. So, it all comes down to how horse riding enables you to achieve mental and physical wellbeing.
Strengthens Your Core
To keep your balance while on top of the horse, all one needs is the utilization of core muscles and nothing less. It would be best if you did this to achieve strength. Moreover, you might also notice that the posture you have put into your work has enhanced and improved when you are off the saddle too. Moreover, several competitive riders also find that Pilates, another ideal exercise for the core, tends to complement their riding technique.
Improves Your Breathing
If you did not know, riding gives you a pause, which is an ideal start for starters. However, there is more to it. By providing you an entire body workout, utilizing your arms, back, and core, a rider needs to breathe profoundly and deeply to get maximum oxygen to their muscles. In simple terms, regulating your breathing allows you to control the entire horse easily. Your horse riding instructor can also quote not to hold your breath; breathing deeply and steadily could help a rider feel calm, into the saddle, and relax. Well, it is like an adrenaline rush.
Quickens Your Reactions
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Being a flight animal, a horse reacts at lightning speeds. A spooky animal spinning round at the paper bag sight in the road tests explicitly your stickability and endurance! And, such a form of coordination and control is required to control the horse. As a result, this quickens a rider’s reactions, which is ideal for your body and wellbeing. So, you know there are several health benefits to this sport. Moreover, you must not feel guilty about being off the house for extended hours and that too doing your favorite thing!
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by Awesome Author | Jan 2, 2022 | Card Games
Card games have been a part of everyone’s growing years somehow. Not only have we become more reliant on digital devices for entertainment, but card games and their concept are also long gone, basking in the history books. However, in recent times, they have found their authentic way home, into the hearts of people again. But, how does it help now with so many sources of entertainment around us? This is because digital platforms and devices affect our health more than ever. Speaking of which, when you have your eyes away from the screen, you tend to observe what’s around.
And with that comes the health benefits of playing some of the best and intriguing card games. Having said that, there are several emotional, psychological, and overall mental benefits of playing card games. If you see it through a profound outlook, it can also sharpen your mind, assist your subconscious in remembering, and allow you to be more active. Moreover, if you think about this from a different angle, you will understand it better.
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Our society is experiencing a mental health crisis. So, every bit towards it can help. For most of us, it has been a long-long time. But why is that so? That is because there is a thing called adulthood somewhere along the road. And, somehow, we are convinced you should not be a part of it. But, the joy of playing games is neverending. So, why ignore it. Before we go on and blabber further, let’s cut it and explore some of the social, psychological, and mental benefits of playing card games.
You Learn New Skills
There is no age of learning. And, when that is the case, card games play a significant role. Playing card games to learn new skills is never a waste of time. If you enjoy it, there are more rights you need to know about it. However, here is one thing about card games. Even though the game looks seamlessly simple, it might take a significant amount of time to master and hone it. And, when you get well-versed with everything, it never gets boring. Moreover, nothing beats growing, learning, and developing new skills. This is primarily when you are in for a good time.
Card Games: Good For Mental Health
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When life gives you lemons, know to make something resembling lemonade. Things that you might not be versed with can indeed change your life. And, more so, the mental health that we care so much about. Nurturing and nourishing your mental well-being is essential. But, what does a card game have to do with mental health? Well, there are so many low-stake things you aren’t aware of. This activity is filled with laughter and chatter that will make you experience a worthwhile moment. So, gear up, have your family around and make the most of card games.
Learn Lessons in Concentration, Patience, and Discipline
Remember, card games are crafted to keep your mind laser-focused towards the end. You won’t even realize what it can bring forth. Simultaneously, you need patience. This is one of the virtues missing these days, more like rare. Card games disable you from making rash decisions that could cost you the game. Moreover, you weigh every choice you make, wait for the card, and take an important step towards glory.
De-Stress and Unwind After a Long Day
Waking up, going to work, eating, doing endless chores, sleeping, and then repeating is not how you should spend your days. Have you ever finished the day with an incredible load of refinement and mindfulness in the world of chaos and unprecedented working hours? No would be the answer, right? But, there is always something you could be thrilled to know. After having a messy day, play card games with your pals and spread happiness and laughter.
A Sharp Mind
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An ideal card game can be fun and intriguing, at the same time, whether you are 8 or 99. However, the mental algorithm that goes with it can benefit older individuals. When we age, our mind grows too. Social and cognitive engagement has an essential role against age-specific cognitive decline. Remember, mental strain is crucial to a healthy and profound brain.
Math Skills and Logical Thinking
Are you one of those who got yelled at for playing card games in school? Well, this is not just you; it is with everyone you come across. It is not an awkward situation you have fallen into. Instead, think of it positively. It turns out, playing such games can make you smarter, promoting math skills and logical thinking. In addition to reducing dementia and improving motor skills, playing card games improves every skill, regardless of age. So, what are you thinking about? Get started today.
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by Awesome Author | Oct 4, 2021 | Outdoor Games
Do you have kids, or were you a kid who loved to get on your father’s shoulders and love the presence of the basking sun? Well, if that is the case, imagine a pristine sunny day, a cool breeze cooling off all your day’s anxiety and stress. Then, you can gather through the green field with a ball and some friends. And, you spend a good amount of hours under the sun, playing games, experiencing the benefits of fresh air and laughter. Now, for some hours, you are only indulged in some games. In this case, outdoor games or activities are essential in a world of pollution, concrete, and stress.
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Speaking of which, this article defines outdoor games as anything medicinal and recreational, including football, hiking, outdoor basketball, and backyard games such as ladder toss or shuffleboard. Here are a handful of reasons why you need to consider playing outdoors.
1. Outdoor games are free.
Unlike recreational centers like amusement parks and gyms, playing outside doesn’t generally induce a cost. You can simply find community tennis courts, basketball courts, and public parks maintained by state authorities with your hard-earned tax money. For several outdoor games, all you require is an open field. Moreover, playing outside can be accessible to anyone, irrespective of the budget.
2. Outdoor games can help children excel in academic performance.
In one of the 2010 studies, around 80% of the teachers stated that kids who spent their time playing outside performed in the class with improved grades. This makes a lot of sense since kids are pretty energetic and do not seem to stop. In 2016, another study stated that kids who go camping once a year have better grades than those who do not.
3. Playing outside is one of the best sources of vitamin D.
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Even though you can consume Vitamin D foods and supplements, sunlight remains one of the natural sources. However, if you are low, you are at significant risk of extracting type 1 diabetes, muscle pain, and different types of cancer. Moreover, vitamin D can promote calcium absorption, which is quite essential for robust bones. Speaking of which, this does not imply that you need to stand under the sun for several hours without sunscreen.
4. Outdoor activities build up strength.
Well, you can gain a considerable amount of muscles in the gym, but when you hit the outdoors, your body tends to deal with all-natural factors and not a closed room’s scent. In this way, you can also build muscles through body-weight activities without using any equipment or machines. If you did not know, outdoor exercise is quite adaptable. So, while you think of hitting the gym with several equipment pieces parked around, it can be intimidating and overwhelming. But, know what is at stake.
5. Outdoor activities can boost your memory.
Many studies state that being outdoors, primarily when walking is involved, promotes better memory. Michigan University conducted a study where they divided subjects into a couple of groups. While one group walked on a city street, the latter went to the arboretum. Subjects that strolled in the arboretum showed an improvement of 20% than when they first established their test results. Meanwhile, the second group did not show any progress.
6. Outdoor activities enhance mental health.
As already discussed, playing outdoor activities can have several benefits than being indoors. One solid reason is that it has overwhelming versatility, whereas indoor ones are flat and consistent. You do not have enough room to improvise while being indoors. Outdoor games require more concentration and focus, encouraging mindfulness, which is one of the standard techniques to improve mental health.
7. Being outside reduces stress and depression.
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Many researchers have conducted studies on how outdoor games and activities can reduce depression and stress. Experts also quote that being outside camping, in nature, and exercising can reduce your stress levels. Having said that, do a simple experiment. Go out on a brief walk. When you move out, you will meet several people of the community, greet strangers, see an opportunity to help, and indulge in several things you didn’t know about what life had to offer. All these experiences can lead to effectiveness and efficiency in life.
8. Outdoor activities can regulate the sleep cycle.
One of the research pieces shows that individuals who spent most of their time outside slept better. This is especially the case for male members of society who are 65 or more.
9. Outdoor games can enhance creativity.
You do not have to consume any supplements to enhance your creativity levels. When you are amidst nature, the world’s unrecognized elements surround you. As a result, you never run out of creativity. Moreover, playing outdoors can also stimulate your mind and force people to stay off social media and digital devices.
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