Free Mindfulness, Relaxation and Guided Imagery
Interventions and exercises used in therapy and counseling of anxiety, depression, trauma as well as sports mental health areas are mindfulness, relaxation and guided imagery. These interventions help a person to calm the restless mind, offer moments of relief from whatever is going on and allow a targeted focus of attention. The following 2 links provide websites which offer various free auditory and visual tools to help you sleep better, decrease your anxiety levels, help you ground yourself or just give you a break from a stressful day. Try it out and feel free to leave some feedback to let me know if this was helpful.
Humor to fight off mental illness!
A short and funny video clip to start the weekend with laughter!!
Today, I decided to focus on humor. When depressed, anxious or struggling with other unpleasant emotions, one of the self-help skills which can create relief through the body releasing its own happy substances (endorphins) is humor. Therefore, I decided to link this post to an in my opinion quite funny commercial. Enjoy and have a great day. (click the arrow next to the title)
Practicing Self-Compassion When Struggling with Anxiety
"Tonglen" a breathing technique to reduce anxiety and increase self-compassion.
Anxiety seems to be one of the main mental health concerns of this century which can be observed at any age and in any economical class. Here is a new article by a writer who tries to offer some new tools to accept, live with and control the anxious mind. I especially love the suggestion of "tonglen".
What is the cure for exceptional suffering?
This article discusses how understanding grief and loss as a universal experience, which is inevitable, and therefore, can lead to acceptance and some type of inner peace. The author incorporates a symbolic story to show how emotional suffering is part of the human existence. Accepting of this existence and possible finding meaning in life may allow a person to move on after a tragic loss.
This article discusses how understanding grief and loss as a universal experience, which is inevitable, can lead to acceptance and some type of inner peace. The author incorporates a symbolic story to show how emotional suffering is part of the human existence. Accepting of this existence and possible finding meaning in life may allow a person to move on after a tragic loss.
How anxiety influences your health
This article has been published in the Huffington post and describes the body's reactions to experiencing prolonged feeling of anxiety. I love the simple illustration which helps to understand why people with anxiety often have so many other physical and psychological complaints.