Monday, December 14, 2015

Take care: power of positive thinking


Optimism is important to our physical and mental health, but what if it doesn’t come naturally? Dr. Robin Witmer-Kline, PhD, LPC at Keystone Behavioral Health and keynote speaker at the upcoming "Eat Sleep Run Grow" event, shares what to do to be more optimistic.
Optimism
Some people are born with personality traits that lean more toward happiness and optimism, but the good news is, if it doesn’t come naturally, it can be learned.  Optimism also must be practiced. When someone practices anything over and over again, they become an expert at it. It’s important to try, since pessimism actually can lower the immune system which then makes a person vulnerable to disease.
Learn to change
We all experience negative thoughts from time to time based on the effects of reality; however, focusing on what you can change and taking steps toward creating a better tomorrow are important for a feeling of self-control.  However, there are some things that we cannot change, so we learn that we must change our attitude by trying to see it as an opportunity to grow. We ourselves become our own barriers or our own heroes.
Self-defeat
When we have trouble adjusting to our situation or start thinking self-defeating thoughts, this is a sign of trouble and we may want to seek help.  We must ask ourselves “Is this way of thinking productive or unproductive?” If it is unproductive than you are exerting energy into a void—this is a signal to start making changes.
Reframe Your Thoughts
When you catch yourself saying something negative, reframe it. Instead think—I may not be where I want to be, but at least I’m not where I used to be and every day is a chance to do something to make it better.  So do a realistic inventory and then take steps to change something that is bothering you and then keep practicing it in your behaviors, and this changes your thoughts and then finally your emotions will catch up and come into alignment with the rest.
Practice
Practice, practice, practice. Optimism is on a large part a skill that must be practiced. Research has shown that anything that is practiced over and over again, will actually change brain pathways and create changes in the way we act, think and feel.  This can be both negative or positive. So practice the positive and become addicted to that!

Courtesy: Public Opinion

Saturday, November 21, 2015

Managing Stress: A Guide for College Students


 Students walking in the UHC lobby, University Health Center, University of Georgia

 Stress Management: A Wellness Lifestyle Approach

Stress is a part of life, but the healthier you are, the better able you are to manage stress when it happens. Chronic stress can impact your immune system, which lowers your resistance to getting sick. Approaching stress management from a wellness lifestyle approach can give you "money in the bank" when it comes to preventing stress, and can give you the energy you need to handle stress when it happens. The following components are part of a wellness lifestyle approach.
Attitude:
"Attitude is everything." What does that mean? The way you think about things can make all the difference in how you react to events. In this section, we explore how you can change the way you think in order to reduce stress.
Healthy Eating:
Good nutrition and healthy eating habits can help you through your stressful times now, not just prevent a heart attack 30 years down the road. Eating well will increase your physical, mental, and emotional stamina. Fueling yourself with nutrient dense foods can boost your immune system, help you maintain a healthy weight and help you feel better about yourself. Check out the Healthy Eating section for a quick diet assessment and ideas on how to fuel yourself better.
Physical Activity:
Physical activity provides immediate stress relief as well as long-term stress management. Just 20-30 minutes of walking a day, for example, can give you more energy, help you put things in perspective, improve your sleep, sharpen your mental productivity, and boost your self-confidence. Our bodies are made to move and everyone can find some type of activity that is enjoyable.
Relaxing Your Mind and Body:
There are a number of relaxation techniques that can help you manage stress and also improve your concentration, productivity and overall well-being.
Sleep:
Consistent sleep is critical for a healthy life. Although we all need varying amounts of sleep, if we do not get enough sleep, everything from our immune system to our ability to learn and remember information will be negatively affected. Sleep is as important as nutrition and exercise when preparing for peak performance.
Healthy Relationships:
Changes in relationships can be a source of stress for many students, as can feeling socially isolated. At the same time, talking with a supportive friend or family member can be helpful in coping with stress. This section emphasizes conflict resolution for stress management.
Time Management:
Sometimes all the things we have to do can seem overwhelming and impossible to accomplish. Learning how to be a good time manager is a skill that you can use throughout your life, which can make work, play and studying more manageable, more productive and less stressful. Learn about the ABCs of time management.
Alcohol and Other Drugs:
Alcohol and other drug use can lead to many problems that can add stress to our lives. High-risk use can lead to poor decision-making, impaired abstract thinking, injury and legal problems. By understanding your overall risks, you can make healthier choices.
Tobacco:
Tobacco can impact your sleep, ability to fight infection and overall health. These issues can create stressful situations. Tobacco use by some, however, is seen as a stress reducer. In order to achieve a healthy lifestyle, it is important to learn strategies to deal with stressors and to understand that quitting tobacco use takes time and practice.
Money Management:
When you consider that the average credit card debt of an undergrad is $2,748, it's no wonder why finances are a common stressor for college students. This section offers tips on money management and credit card use.
Spirituality:
Spirituality means finding personal meaning in your life; it doesn't mean just following a particular religious dogma. This section describes how exploring spirituality may be helpful in managing stress.

Courtesy: University Health Center at the University of Georgia

Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Stress Awareness Day: Tips to get rid of stress

Every year on 4th of November, Stress Awareness Day is celebrated all over the world to increase awareness among the people about stress and how to lead a stress free life.


Stress has become very common nowadays and everyone of us experience it at some or other point in life. Things that lead us to stress is because of our tiring jobs, faulty eating habits, pollution and most of all our lethargy. Everyone reacts differently to stress.
Here are some things which can help you get rid of stress:
Walking: Walking is the best and easiest form of exercise accessible to us. One should walk daily to stay fit and healthy. Moreover, walking significantly contributes to enhanced mental health and helps you get rid of stress.
Meditation: One of the best things that can keep stress at bay is meditation. 30 minutes of focused meditation daily helps people to be resilient under stress.
Sleep well: Having adequate amount of sleep is very essential to lead a stress free life. A sleep for 7-8 hours is a must to relax your mind and reduce stress levels.
Positive thinking: Positive thinking also plays a major role in getting rid of stress. Thinking positive helps your mind ease anxiety and helps you remain calm and happy.
Eating healthy: Eating healthy food also plays an important role in maintaining good health. Eating blueberries, salmon and almonds is believed to help in combating stress. Drinking a cup of green tea or masala tea also helps to reduce stress levels.

Courtesy : ZEENEWS